Space-time cube approach in analysing conflicts in Africa

Abstract

In terms of conflict types and occurrences, there is a mesh of old, new, and concurrent conflicts which coexist and are affecting each other over space and time. Existing conflict studies are unable to fully explicate the space-time elements, hence this generates static and two-dimensional hotspots/coldspots. Using Africa as a case, this study used three-dimensional space-time cube, with conflict occurrences grouped into bins where space is mapped horizontally and time is mapped vertically for analysis. Analysis of conflict based on the three dimensional space time cube produced four main categories of hotspots namely consecutive, sporadic, oscillating, and new hotspots. Furthermore, the causes of conflicts in Africa varied significantly across each time-based hotspot, providing insight into why straightjacket solutions have been unsuccessful. Conflict managers can learn from the patterns of time-based hotspots which helps to see conflicts as three-dimensional entities needing with three levels of orientation that focus on type, space, and time instantaneously.