This paper investigates how non-state actors, particularly scholars and intellectuals, can serve as an alternative source of power in mitigating violence, transforming conflict dynamics in fragile African states. It was motivated by the persistent failure of state-centric approaches to address the structural roots of conflicts in settings marked by weak governance, historical oppression, and institutionalized marginalization. The core objective was to examine the role of academic voices and critical discourse in challenging state narratives, exposing structural violence, and fostering sustainable peace. The study employed a qualitative case study design relying on secondary sources such as conflict reports, literature, and institutional data. The M23 rebellion in the Democratic Republic of Congo was selected due to its representation of ethnic exclusion, failed peace process, and absence of intellectual engagement in conflict resolution efforts. It was anchored in theoretical frameworks combining the theory of structural violence, three-dimensional power theory, and the powercube model. The framework was due to their ability to illuminate how power is exercised not only through coercion but also through hidden and internalized forms of oppression. The study also provides a lens to evaluate how scholars might intervene at different levels and forms of power to disrupt cycles of violence. Findings reveal that the absence of non-actor groups like M23 fills the governance vacuum. The paper argues that scholars possess untapped potential to serve as an alternative power. The study recommends enhancing the visibility and integration of academic contributions into conflict resolution frameworks.