This paper makes the case that conflict management is possible in Africa with stronger parliamentary democracy, and that one key element of political stability is parliamentary action to implement NEPAD and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Issues of capacity are returned to in the final section. The chief implication of this new paradigm for parliamentary engagement is that the international community could usefully rethink its development cooperation targeting, delivery and accountability mechanisms. Parliament should be a first consideration, not an afterthought, when it comes to conflict management.