The concept of peace is difficult to define – and even more difficult to measure. However, since 2006 the Global Peace Index has defined peace as the “absence of violence” and has sought to determine what cultural attributes and institutions are associated with states of peace. The most recent ranking has Zambia as the most peaceful African country. Somalia is considered the least peaceful country followed by South Africa and Sudan.
The Global Peace Index (GPI) defines a nation at “peace” as being one “not involved in violent conflicts with neighboring states or suffering internal wars” – which is sometimes called “negative peace” (i.e., absence of war). This is more measurable and can be used as a starting point to identify the attributes of “positive peace” (structures and institutions that create and maintain peace).
Top 5 peaceful countries in Africa are as follows:
- Zambia
- Island of Mauritius
- Botswana
- Chad
- Burundi