Book Review: Securing Peace in Angola and Mozambique

Author: Laura Wise

This review of “Securing Peace in Angola and Mozambique” by Miranda Melcher highlights the book’s innovative approach to understanding peace negotiations, emphasizing the importance of often-overlooked intangible factors like dignity, interpersonal dynamics, and even everyday items like toothbrushes. Melcher argues that the specificity of treaty terms, paired with equitable negotiations, is crucial for successful peace implementation. By comparing the divergent outcomes of Angola’s repeated conflicts and Mozambique’s relative success, the book reveals how small but significant decisions shaped each country’s peace processes.

While the lessons may have limited applicability to modern, multi-faceted conflicts like those in Yemen or Syria, Melcher’s themes—dignity, external actor influence, and the interplay of capitalism—remain relevant. The book also raises underexplored issues, such as the gendered dimensions of peace processes, making it a valuable resource for scholars, mediators, and policymakers.

This book review was published online in the International Peacekeeping journal.