From Conventional Peacebuilding Paradigms in Post-Conflict Settings and Reconstruction to Systemic Multi-Foci Approaches: The Case of Somaliland
Building on the work of Dr Victoria Fontan and others, Muhyadin Saed challenges conventional methods of peacebuilding, with specific reference to the experiences of Somaliland. Saed proposes a human-centred, rather than institutional, approach which considers the local people to be vital assets in the design and implementation of such projects. In order to achieve sustainable peace, Saed argues, the local people must be actively involved and considered to be more than recipients of outside assistance.
Non-State Conflict Management: Opportunities and Limitations of NGOs Engaging Non-State Armed Groups
Muhammed Nawaz Khan provides a comprehensive analysis of opportunities and challenges for interaction between non-state armed groups (NSAGs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Afghanistan. If such interactions are approached strategically and in a principled way, Khan argues, NSAGs may be brought into development and peacebuilding efforts, and provide the necessary space for negotiation and conflict resolution.
The Conflict in Chechnya: Confronting the Threat of State Disintegration and the Right to Self-Determination
This article focuses on the right of the Chechen people to self determination. It examines the legitimacy of the Chechens’ claim to self determination and assesses the policy actions of the Russian government toward the minority populations of the Caucasus. It also assesses the various aspects related to the legitimacy of the movements that fight for self-determination in the context of the global war on terror as well as the problem of violations of minority group rights. The author argues that current policies of the Russian government in the Caucasus do not lay the foundation for the long-lasting peace and stability in the region and are, in large part, conducive to the continuation of separatist tendencies.
Keywords: Russia, Chechnya, self-determination, state-building, repression, human rights, identity rights
The role of cultural diversity in conflict resolution in Africa
In Africa, interstate and intrastate wars have hindered economic development and political stability, causing poverty and failures in nation building. The ongoing challenges of European colonial history and ethnic division continue to fuel these conflicts. In contrary to conventional views on the cause of the conflict in Africa, however, this paper defines cultural diversity as distinct concept from ethnic diversity, and argues that cultural diversity is in fact a viable instrument of conflict resolution in Africa. Finally, it proposes peace education as a key to promoting cultural diversity for peace building in Africa.
Development in Reverse: The True Effects of Armed Conflict
University for Peace graduate student Andres Jimenez comments on the true costs of war through the lens of Paul Collier’s concept of “development in reverse”. Looking at conflict from a socioeconomic standpoint and recognizing the realities of armed conflict, Jimenez analyzes both the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and peacekeeping operations as part of what he deems necessary interventions to prevent widespread violence and civil war.
Conflict Analysis and Resolution: Socio-cultural and Intrapersonal Perspectives
Much of the literature on peace building and conflict transformation focuses on socio-economic analyses, while relatively little research addresses the psychological causes and impacts of violence and insecurity. This paper seeks to refine existing models of conflict analysis through the explicit inclusion of psychological and cultural perspectives in order to better identify the core interests of parties to conflict, and to understand the mechanisms through which conflicts are produced, protracted, and, ultimately, resolved.
Emerging Socio-Economic and Political Conflicts in Tanzania
Emerging Socio-Economic and Political Conflicts in Tanzania Author: William John Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 02/02/2011 Tanzania is known as a paradise of peace in the troubled continent of Africa. The country neither experienced civil wars, religious conflicts, ethnicity nor coups since independence (Hirschler, 2004; Rubanza, 2001). In effect, Tanzania facilitated […]
Testing Veto Power before the UN General Assembly: Mahmoud Abbas and International Law Perspectives on Palestinian Statehood
Kichere Mwita draws on theories of statehood in international law to analyze the recent bid presented by Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestine Liberation Organization, for full membership of the State of Palestine before the United Nations General Assembly.
Border dynamics and the conflict in Colombia: A Case Study of Arauca-Apure and Nariño-Esmeraldas
Drawing on four years of field research in two of the most conflict-ridden areas, the Colombian Department of Arauca and the Venezuelan State of Apure and the Colombian Department of Nariño and the Ecuadorian Province of Esmeraldas, this paper identifies conflict dynamics in Colombian border areas and their contributions to Colombia’s internal armed conflict. Major activities of armed groups are analysed, and recommendations are made to increase the presence of civil society in these areas for the greater protection of human rights.
Education for young people in armed conflict
This paper examines the impact of war on the education of young people in armed conflict and also give a situational analysis of youths and children in armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Colombia and Cambodia. The paper also looks at how the life of youth and children can be restored through reintegration activities, provision of formal and informal education, employment, facilitation of psychosocial training and vocational training opportunities. It provides a gender perspective of how girls and women are mostly vulnerable in conflict times and stresses the implementation of the right to education instruments such as the convention on the Right of the Child, the Human Right Convention, MDG-2, Refugee convention of 1951 and the EFA framework to enhance the education of war affected young people.