Dynamics of Conflict and Peace Building

The negotiated resolution of conflict may come to logical conclusion provided that key political parties in Nepal strengthen their understanding to implement key ingredients of understandings reached in the past and adopt an inclusive new constitution sooner. Proper management of UN verified Maoist combatants, just handling of ethno-regional aspirations, agreement on suitable federal structure, negotiation and disciplining armed groups in Terai and Hills are important.

By Dr Som P Pudasaini

Peace, progress and happiness have been the most cherished goals of Homo sapiens since emergence of the race over one million years ago. With remarkable progress in the fields of socio-economic development, technology, arts, culture and myriad of other areas, the human population increased from just a few in the beginning to about 80 million 10,000 years ago (8000 BC). The global population has now crossed 6.5 billion and is likely to stabilise at 9 to 11 billion in the coming two centuries.

Though living in greater physical comfort and having achieved more material progress in subsequent times, the human quest for happiness and peace remains unfulfilled. No other member of the animal kingdom has killed, maimed and inflicted suffering upon its own species on the same scale as humans have done. Violent confrontations, conflicts and wars have been a largely undesired but inevitable component of the long and arduous trajectory of human history. The key driving factors of modern-day conflicts have been (1) identity .(2) ideology,(3) exclusion/ marginalization from power, governance or resource use,(4) territorial claims, (5) hegemonic/ strategic interests. Whether these events have been called revolutions, conflicts, insurgencies, wars or acts of terrorism, their results have been largely painful in terms of human sufferings but a number of them have opened opportunities for change over the centuries.

Among the key causes, identity conflicts (Hutus vs. Tutsis, Hindu vs. Muslims, Shia vs. Sunnis, Madhesis vs. Pahadis) lead to utterly devastating and destabilising situations for peoples affected. “A strong and exclusive sense of belonging to one group can in many cases carry with it the perception of distance and divergence from other groups” and can “kill and kill with abandon” (Amartya Sen, 2006). The illusion of singular identity, “which turns multidimensional human being into one dimensional creatures” of uniquely hardened categories, can be and have been exploited in fomenting conflicts, strife, confrontations and carnage. Sen recalls with horror the Indian politics of Partition in the 1940’s, when “the broad human beings of January were suddenly transformed into the ruthless Hindus and fierce Muslims”.

In addition, genuine popular desires for political change, restructuring of the state and socio-economic transformation are also at the center of conflicts. A largely centralised state, a lack of an adequately inclusive polity, disparities in socio-economic development and a sluggish economy, poverty and deprivation, longstanding inequalities (among ethnic groups and geographic regions as well as gender discrimination) are among the root causes fuelling conflicts.

The Preamble of United Nations Charter rightly stresses that to “…save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” there is a need to “…reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal right of men and women of nations large and small….practice to learn and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors”.

In terms of conflict resolution approaches, outright victory by force- a militaristic approach, and peaceful dialogue- a negotiated settlement approach, are the two key ways of settling conflicts. Most conflicts in the contemporary world are unlikely to be settled by solely militaristic approach. Negotiations with any armed opponent, whether a rebel outfit or the government of another state, are always frustrating, complex and time consuming. The purpose of peace dialogue is to transform violent conflict into a problem solving partnership concerning political power, access to resources and imbalanced development. A pragmatic peace process follows a gradual approach dealing with confidence building measures and urgent issues related to violence in the beginning and more contentious issues and root causes in the later part of negotiations.

In the context of peace and reconciliation, balancing human rights standards and wrapping up negotiations with pragmatism stands as a dilemma. The question of amnesty, revelation of truth and victim's compensation should be dealt even if persecution of all the rights violators is not feasible. Involvement of non-armed groups and civil society in the peace process is crucial for lasting peace as the whole society is affected or involved in the conflict. Peace building must be understood as a process with many risks of backsliding. Arms demobilization, respect for human rights, rule of law, removal of inequalities and targeted and inclusive socio-economic reforms are crucial for peace building. Any necessary constitutional changes must create consensus even if the process is a bit longer. Elections are important to consolidate early phase of peace building. But elections must be accompanied by inclusive socio-economic development for consolidating democracy and building lasting peace.

Promoting nonviolence and building peace within a nation and between nations has never been more important than it is now, at a time when a variety of conflicts, religious fundamentalism, ethnic tensions and terrorism add to the already large body-count. If the countries of the SAARC are serious about resolving the many conflicts that rage within and outside their shores the leaders will have to better understand the importance of and commit to shared prosperity of its peoples and may have to establish a regional mechanism for conflict resolution. Globally speaking, the UN, as an institution, will have to be strengthened and be used more effectively, particularly by the influential global and regional powers, based on merit-based consultation and maximum understanding among its relevant member states. Arms trade and sales must be curtailed. Proliferation of small arms and mines should be checked with the seriousness it deserves.

Conflicts must be managed with greater focus on negotiations by addressing genuine demands of groups excluded and marginalized from political, socio-economic, linguistic and cultural opportunities. A consensus or broad understanding among key political players or power blocks is inevitable to attain lasting peace. Socio-economic transformation and greater economic and job opportunities for burgeoning youth population and marginalized groups and regions are at the heart of sustainable peace and stability. Regional and global powers must play just and constructive role in resolving conflicts.

In the context of Nepal, the negotiated resolution of conflict may come to logical conclusion provided that key political parties strengthen their understanding to implement key ingredients of understandings reached in the past and adopt an inclusive new constitution sooner. Proper management of UN verified Maoist combatants, just handling of ethno-regional aspirations, agreement on suitable federal structure, negotiation and disciplining armed groups in Terai and Hills are important. A deft management of support and pressures from the international community, particularly from key regional and global players, is no less crucial. Relief, reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation will have to get due attention.

A longer tern socio-economic development roadmap will have to be prepared and implemented to address the root-causes of the conflict and ensure socio-economic well-being so urgently desired by the masses. The debate on democratic republic vs. people’s republic, parliamentary vs. alternative democratic structure and free-fall capitalism vs. liberalism with human face and regulation can continue. The peace process and the complex political transition must be sustained to move towards a stable peace, socio-economic dynamism and hope for better future. The formulation of an inclusive and forward-looking constitution is a key to moving forward. Nepal has gained a lot of respect in the recent past due to its ability to handle conflict and work towards building peace in its one way. The political and civil leadership of the country must not betray the trust of our own people and our well-wishers across the continents at this crucial threshold of complex and complicated transition.

(Pudasaini is editorial board member of the South Asian Affairs, Vishakapatnam, India. He can be contacted at: som.pudasaini@gmail.com)

(Editor’s Note: Nepalis, wherever they live, as well as friends of Nepal around the globe are requested to contribute their views/opinions/recollections etc. on issues concerning present day Nepal to the Guest Column of Nepalnews. Length of the article should not be more than 1,000 words and may be edited for the purpose of clarity and space. Relevant photos as well as photo of the author may also be sent along with the article. Please send your write-ups to editors@mos.com.np)

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