THIS REPORT IS PUBLISHED BY THE SWEDISH PEACE AND ARBITRATION SOCIETY
Challenging impunity in Guatemala Guatemala has a long experience of impunity, a major challenge to peace and democracy. However, this might be about to change.
Girifna – non-violent protests in Sudan The members of Girifna are not anti-government, they are pro-change. They are only demanding justice and their basic human rights.
Newfound peace in the Philippines The Philippines sign a framework peace plan with its largest rebel group aimed at paving the way for an end to a 40-year conflict.
AND COVERAGE ON Right Livelihood Award 2012 Infrastructures for peace Japanese peace clause Q&A with Isak Svensson Professor of Uppsala University
www.peacemonitor.org
A report published in 2013 by the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society
Continue the fight for peaceful conflict resolution
and made possible through the sup-
We proudly present the second edition of the Peace Monitor Report that highlights important events, individuals and organisations that advocate peaceful conflict resolution around the world. We at Peace Monitor strongly believe that a shift is needed in the way that conflicts are seen, presented and resolved.
port of the Folke Bernadotte Academy. Views expressed in this report are not necessarily shared by the publisher. EDITORIAL COMMITTEE: Christoffer Burnett-Cargill Sara Lindblom Siavash Golzadeh Gabriel Holmbom PUBLISHER: Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society AUTHORS: Paul van Tongeren Linnea Fehrm Siavash Golzadeh Linda Åkerström Sara Lindblom LAYOUT: E&G Design egdesign.gabriel@gmail.com PRINT: Lasertryck Svenska Freds- och Skiljedoms föreningen (Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society) Polhemsgatan 4, 112 36 Stockholm Tel: (+ 46) (0)8-558 031 80 E-mail: info@svenskafreds.se Web site: www.svenskafreds.se
2012 was an interesting year for peaceful conflict resolution. Gene Sharp, one of the world’s most influential thinkers on nonviolent struggle was awarded the distinguished Right livelihood award. The Guatemalan congress decided to strip the former dictator Jose Efrain Rios Montt of his immunity, enabling to finally prosecute the former dictator for the crimes he is accused of. The historical framework agreement that has been signed in Philippines Mindanao and the positive effects of building an infrastructure for peace. These are some of the stories that are presented in this year’s report. The Peace Monitor Report is here to raise the positive stories that are often neglected in the overall debate. We believe that these examples should be highlighted to show the world that peaceful conflict resolution actually works. By highlighting these examples we hope to influence both the politicians to invest more in peaceful conflict resolution, like Paul van Tongeren rightfully says that “peace can be planned and in most cases escalation of violent conflicts can be prevented”, and also convince the media. More and more people around the world are essential in conflict areas and war-torn regions. The predominately negative reporting needs to be shifted to a more sincere presentation, not only of the different conflict themselves, but also of the people who live there. We hope this second Peace Monitor Report will continue to inspire a change of perspectives and further contribute to a change of directions towards more peaceful conflict resolution. Our vision is increased peace monitoring, we aim to develop an updated homepage that continuously posts new peace stories and hope to publish annual books of peace in the future. Enjoy the reading! Christoffer Burnett-Cargill Secretary General Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society
2
PEACE MONITOR 2012
page 4
contents
4
page 6
6 10
Infrastructures for Peace Peace can be planned. In most cases escalation of violent conflicts can be prevented.
page 18
Impunity is now being challenged in order to make the leap from war-torn society to a new functioning society.
page 16
Challenging impunity in peace-time Guatemala
page 14
Read about Gene Sharp, famous for his research on nonviolent resistance, and the Right Livelihood Award.
page 10
Gene Sharp and the Right Livelihood award 2012
14
The Japanese Peace Clause and efforts to defend it
16
Girifna - a part of Sudan’s non-violent history
18
New found peace in the Philippines
20
Q&A with Isak Svensson
As the only country in the world, Japan takes a constitutional stand against militarism.
They are not demanding power, they are demanding justice and their basic human rights.
The signing of the Bangsamoro framework agreement is a historic step towards a sustainable peace.
Questions and adswers with Isak Svensson is Associate Professor at the Department for Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University.
page 20
2012 PEACE MONITOR 
3
Gene Sharp - recipient of the
Right Livelihood Award 2012 TEXT BY SARA LINDBLOM
T
he Right Livelihood Award (also
known as the Alternative Nobel
search on non-violent resistance, was
50, and there is still so much to learn.
Prize) was established in 1980
one of the recipients of the Right Liveli-
But the knowledge is being accumulated
to honour and support those “offering
hood Award in 2012 and visited Stock-
and I am still learning. Non-violence
practical and exemplary answers to the
holm during a few cold days in Decem-
takes time.
most urgent challenges facing us today”.
ber. On one of the days of his visit, he
This alternative award has during many
met with people from the Swedish peace
One of the reasons he started to re-
years focused on the role of civil society
and non-violence movement to talk
search non-violence, was the absence
and social movements, compared to the
about his research and about struggles
of non-violence resistance from com-
Nobel Peace Prize that has often been
for liberation around the world.
mon history books, which instead were
criticized for focusing on world leaders
full of references to wars, violent con-
with a questionable “peace record”. One
ed already more than 60 years ago, and
flicts and military strategies. With time,
good example of that was the winner of
one of his main contributions is his effort
the non-violent resistance was forgotten,
this years’ Nobel Peace Prize, the EU,
to compile and categorise 198 methods
regardless of how important it was at
a continent militarily involved in many
of non-violent resistance that have been
the time. He studied this phenomenon in
regions of the world and with a huge
used all over the world, published in The
Norway during the late 1950s, where the
arsenal of both conventional and nuclear
Politics of Nonviolent Action, vol 2: the
stories of armed resistance against the
weapons.
Methods of Nonviolent Action, in 1973.
German occupation during World War II
4
PEACE MONITOR 2012
Gene Sharp, famous for his re-
His research on non-violence start-
- I started to study non-violence in 1949-
ABOVE Gene Sharp refused military conscription during the Korea War and calls his refusal a “first step”. LEFT Famous for his research on non-violent resistance, Gene Sharp was one of the recipients of the Right Livelihood Award in 2012.
often were told, while the nonviolent ac-
to love “your enemy”, instead you have
ties, of what we can do. People can free
tions tended to be ignored.
to focus on how to remove their power. I
themselves.” In the early 1990s Sharp
chose to focus on the methods and how
visited Burma and was then asked to do
military conscription in the U.S during
we can make them as strategic and effec-
an assessment of the Burmese situation
the Korea War, and was imprisoned for
tive as possible.
and how non-violence could be used in
Gene Sharp himself refused
his conscientious objection. He calls
that specific context. He refused to write
his refusal a “first step”, which he then
The 198 methods of non-violent resis-
something context-specific, but instead
thought was not that important, instead
tance that Sharp compiled are divided
published a book called From Dictator-
he started to think about how to get rid
into three sub-categories: protest and
ship to Democracy (1993), which is
of violence altogether. In 1983 he found-
persuasion, non-cooperation and
more generic.
ed the Albert Einstein Institution, with
intervention. In the first category, art
the aim to study and promote strategic
displays, demonstrations and pressure
- I know that my writings have been read
use of non-violent action and resistance
on individuals can be found. The second
by many movements around the world,
in conflicts. He still serves there as a
category can be divided into social,
but I would not go there to tell them
senior scholar and although he is almost
economic and political non-cooperation,
what to do, that is not my job. People
90 years old he still publishies new
such as the boycott movement against
need to prepare for and plan their own
books on non-violence.
South Africa during the apartheid. Also
liberation.
intervention can be divided into social,
Many people in different nonviolent
movements claim that your actions have
economic and political categories, as
In 2010, Sharp published Self-Libera-
to be combined with the moral belief in
well as physical and psychological inter-
tion: A guide to Strategic Planning for
and ethics of non-violence. However,
ventions (see http://www.aeinstein.org/
Action to End a Dictatorship or Other
Gene Sharp claims that if we have to
organizations103a.html for the full list)
Oppression, the aim of the book is to
wait for everyone to be firm believers
enable groups to self-reliantly develop
in non-violence, we are missing a great
- You have to identify the nature of
strategies for their own non-violent
opportunity. The methods are there to
power and how it works. Where are your
struggles.
be used anyways, by all those people
opponents weak and where are they
who might only see non-violence as one
strong, which strategy is most useful and
means of several. Mr. Sharp refers to
when… you have to assess the “strategic
this as a more “pragmatic side”.
estimates” in each context.
- If people do not believe in non-violence,
There is a need around the world for
it is not because they do not believe in it
people to strategise, to learn and to
from a moral perspective, it’s just that
refine the techniques of nonviolence, to
they do not believe that it works, and
move from being “submissive under op-
that we can address it. You do not have
pression to taking pride in our capabili-
FURTHER READING: Read more about Gene Sharp and the Right Livelihood Award at http://www.rightlivelihood.org
2012 PEACE MONITOR
5
Challenging impunity in peace-time Guatemala When the 1996 peace accords between the Guatemalan government and the Marxist guerilla movement URNG marked the end of the country’s 36-year internal conflict, it was with a longing for truth and justice. TEXT BY LINNEA FEHRM, THE SWEDISH FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION (SWEFOR)
6
PEACE MONITOR 2012
L
ast year, the former dictator Efraín
Dismantling impunity
Rios Montt was finally brought
The trial was an important step in dis-
to trial under the accusation of
mantling the impunity that had dominated
genocide and crimes against humanity,
Guatemalan politics throughout and after
making Guatemala the first Latin American
the conflict. War criminals had managed
country to charge a former head of state
to escape facing charges for years due
with genocide.
to lack of will and knowledge on part of the courts, lost evidence, and harassment
- We can establish that these are acts so
of witnesses and lawyers. Rios Montt has
degrading, so humiliating that there is no
spent the last 14 years in congress, which
justification. You were the general com-
in Guatemala guarantees immunity from
mander of the military and you knew
prosecution.
about the execution of these plans,
A previous attempt to bring Rios
Montt to trial was led by Nobel Peace are the words that echoed on the third floor
Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchú, who
of the supreme court building in Gua-
in 1999 filed a lawsuit against him and
temala City, 26th of January 2012. With
another seven senior officials responsible
that statement, prosecutor Patricia Flores
for war crimes. That time, the attempt to
discounted the argument posed by Rios
seek justice took place not in Guatemala
Montt’s lawyers, that the hundreds of mas-
but in Spain. It was possible by using the
sacres that took place in the Guatemalan
principle of universal jurisdiction which
highlands during the 17 months he stood
permits any country to investigate and
office, was not a result of his government’s
prosecute human rights abuses, no matter
policy. She also dismissed the claims that
where the crimes had been committed.
because he was never present on the
Earlier that year, a truth commission report
battlefield, he could not be held responsi-
had established that the Rios Montt re-
ble for the atrocities committed by his field
gime’s scorched-earth operations against
commanders, and that his ultimate ambi-
Maya communities, directed towards their
tion only was the well-being of the Maya
entire population as they were, constituted
population by fighting the guerilla.
a genocide.
The now retired army general himself,
remained silent.
Rios Montt was never extradited to
Spain and the lawsuit never led to a ver-
2012 PEACE MONITOR
7
ers, prosecuting rather than protecting.
“after the lawsuits in Spain, we started to ask ourselves, why don’t we do this in Guatemala?”
According to Edwin, much was thanks to the work of civil society and international institutions. First, with the invitation of the United Nations to establish a unit of foreign prosecutors known as CICIG (the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala) working to promote witness protection, train Guatemalan prosecutors and take part in investigations. It was the CICIG that revealed that 98% of the re-
dict. Nevertheless, it led to a discussion in
Other non-governmental organisations be-
ported crimes never led to a verdict. That,
Guatemala on the possibilities of charging
gan to localize and excavate clandestine
explains Edwin, hurt the government’s
war crimes inside the country.
mass graves from the war, which provided
image and brought international pressure
the testimonies with physical evidence.
for institutional reforms, “on Guatemala to
sible, says Edwin Canil, a lawyer at the
Until then, that had been impos-
In 2001, a group of witnesses from 20
become a more just country”.
human rights organisation CALDH. But
different communities, with CALDH as
after the lawsuits in Spain, we started to
their legal arm, charged Rios Montt with
and the civil society went together and
ask ourselves, why don’t we do this in
genocide and crimes against humanity.
managed to actualise the appointment of
Guatemala? We have our own courts, our own judges – and now, the judicial system is starting to function well enough for us to use them.
CALDH, along with a number of like-
Perhaps most significantly, CICIG
general attorney Claudia Paz y Paz. A for-
Civil society and international institutions in cooperation
mer human rights activist and named one of the world’s bravest women in 2012 by the magazine Newsweek, she immediately started to prosecute senior officials and
before Guatemala’s judicial system proved
their commanders in chief. And so, when
testimonies from victims of the massacres.
fully ready to confront its former lead-
Rios Montt lost his seat in Congress last
PHOTO: RICK BAJORNAS - UN
PHOTO: EVAN SCHNEIDER - UN
But it would take more than a decade
minded organisations, started to collect
ABOVE Eduardo Stein Barillas (left), former Vice President of Guatemala, addresses a press conference on the work of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). Right is Rigoberta Menchú, Guatemalan human rights activist and Nobel Laureate.
8
PEACE MONITOR 2012
ABOVE Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) meets with Claudia Paz y Paz, Attorney General of Guatemala.
RIGHT Pictures of victims from the massacres in the Ixil area, that took place during Rios Montts Regime.
year, he was indicted within a week.
it, appealing the decision. Meanwhile,
witnesses and victim’s organisations have
Still, in a country where only 2 per
cent of the committed crimes lead to a
reported intimidations and racist treat-
sentence, there remains a lot of work
ment.
for Claudia, Edwin and their colleagues before they will be able to see Rios Montt
Despite this, Edwin is positive:
behind bars.
Genocide is a very complicated
”The most important thing is that we’ve
crime to prosecute, explains Edwin. Those
entered into the processes to address
who filled the military bases belonged to
historical injustices. Now we know that
the Maya population. They were ordered
everyone is embraced by the laws, no
to attack the civil Mayans. The conclusion
matter if you are rich or poor, power-
would be that the ethnic group attacked its
ful or not. Before, we never thought we
own people – can that be called geno-
would come this far.”
cide? This is a dilemma that characterizes the Guatemalan case and continues to be
Rios Montt is currently under house arrest.
a divisive issue.
The collection of testimonies, excavations of mass graves, as well as the legal
Ongoing process Since the trials began, Rios Montt’s lawyers have done their best to slow down the judicial processes. Their delay tactics have included cancelling of trials, soliciting a removal of the judge, demanding the case to be transferred to a military tribu-
proceedings, are still ongoing.
CASE UPDATE On the 10th of May 2013 Rios Montt was convicted of ordering the deaths of 1771 people during his time in office 1982-1983. The 86-year-old ex-dictator was sentenced to 80-years in prison. The historic conviction of General Rios Montt was annulled by the constitutional court in a three-to-two ruling the 20 May based on a technicality. This was the first genocide conviction of a former head of state in a domestic court. The former dictator has returned to house arrest waiting for his new court date mid-2014.
nal, claiming amnesty and, when denied
RECOMMENDED READING: Violent Conflict and Peacebuilding – the Continuing Crisis in Darfur Brosché, Johan and Rothbart, Daniel, 2012 (forthcoming) London and New York: Routledge Social Conflict: Escalation, Stalemate, and Settlement: Pruitt, Dean and Kim, Sung Hee, 2003, McGraw-Hill Higher Education Understanding Conflict Resolution. War, Peace and the Global System Wallensteen Peter, 2011, London: Sage.
2012 PEACE MONITOR
9
Infrastructures for Peace – a promising approach Peace can be planned. In most cases escalation of violent conflicts can be prevented. Countries at risk of instability and civil war need mechanisms and structures for cooperation amongst all relevant stakeholders in peacebuilding. Institutional structures for peace create a forum for all peace actors for dialogue and cooperation. Peace Infrastructures at all levels have the preference, but if governments are weak or fragile or not interested in such structures, Local Peace Committees may have an impact as well. TEXT BY PAUL VAN TONGEREN
10 
PEACE MONITOR 2012
A
t the end of the Cold War, there
cord a Peace Infrastructure was designed
were many positive signs for a
including:
more peaceful world. The overall
•
a Peacebuilding Support Unit within the government
•
Building national capacities for peace:
trend since then has been positive and
•
a National Peace Committe with
increased capacity of peacebuild-
the number of armed conflicts has de-
representatives of all 27 signatories
ing institutions of government, Peace
creased. However, in the period between
of NPA
2003 and 2008, the number of active
•
Regional Peace Committees in all
conflicts involving state actors rose again
11 regions of the country
from 29 to 37. Even interstate conflicts,
• Local Peace Committees in all
once deemed practically extinct, have
reemerged in the shape of US-led unilat-
• a National Peace Secretariat to
•
Peace Education
eralism in the fight against terrorism and
establish and coordinate regional
•
Budget
the forceful implementation of democracy.
and local peace committees.
Committees and CSOs •
resolution to draw upon •
affected areas, 260 in total
In 2009 and 2010 there was a decrease in
Traditional perspectives on conflict Promotion of a shared vision of society and a culture of peace
I4P cannot simply be ‘copied, cut and
active conflicts, reported by the Uppsala
Several studies have assessed that the
pasted’ from one country to another, but
Conflict Database Program (UCDP), fol-
Peace Infrastructure, and especially the
these components of the I4P in Ghana and
lowed in the first half of 2011 by the Arab
LPCs, contributed towards containing the
Kenya help to give you an idea about an
spring and new related conflicts.
violence and having relatively peaceful
Infrastructure for Peace.1
elections.
Increase in violent conflicts
Ghana Dozens of violent conflicts were recorded
conflict-affected contexts in some 90
Components of Peace Infrastructures
countries. Conflicts are about many top-
The concept of I4P is relatively new. There
between 1980 and 2002. In 2002 another
ics, such as land use, resources, ethnicity,
is no agreed definition of I4P yet, or agree-
eruption of violence took place within
exclusion and results of the economic
ment on the key components. There is a
the Dagombas and led to the slaying
and financial crisis or climate change.
general agreement that such peace struc-
of the King of Dagbon and many of his
Experts expect an increase in violent
tures should be developed locally and not
elders; this threatened to destabilise the
conflicts. We need a strategy on national,
imported from other countries or imposed.
whole region. A Northern Region Peace
regional and global levels how to deal
That being said, it is helpful to get an
Advisory Council was established. When
with these developments. ‘Infrastructures
idea how some countries are pioneering
it worked, the peace council concept was
for Peace’ can be an important tool to
with such peace structures. Ghana and
extended to the rest of the country. In
counter these developments or reduce
Kenya have extensive experiences with
2008, chieftancy-related conflicts in part
their impact.
these peace structures; Kenya even over
of the country, led to new tensions before
Some 1.5 billion people live in fragile and
in the three northern regions of Ghana
twenty years. In both countries, extensive
the elections, with a very narrow margin
Promising approach
consultations have taken place of main
between the winner and the loser. With
I4P is a comprehensive, inclusive ap-
stakeholders and at all levels. In Kenya this
tensions rising, the National Peace Council
proach in peacebuilding, involving the
has led to a final version of National Policy
helped mediate a peaceful political transi-
main stakeholders, at all levels: national-,
on Peacebuilding and Conflict Manage-
tion.
district- and local levels. It is a problem-
ment (december 2011) from the Steering
solving approach to conflict, based on
Committe on Peacebuilding and Conflict
Kenya
dialogue and non-violence. It allows
Management.
During the early 1990s a highly destruc-
societies and their governments to resolve
tive cycle of violent conflict raged in the
conflicts internally, developing institutional
was institutionalised in the National Peace
district of Wajir in the Northeast region be-
mechanisms, structures and capacities
Council Act from 2011. In both documents,
tween different clans of Kenyan Somalis,
that promote this approach. It is promis-
several key components were identified:
leading to more than 1.200 deaths in four
In Ghana, the Peace Architecture
ing as well because it has worked already several times.
years. The roots of the conflict were livePeace Committees at local, dis-
stock raiding by pastoralist groups. The
trict and national levels, with main
situation escalated, but the government
stakeholders involved, especially key
failed to regulate the conflict and pro-
respected civil society leaders
vide security. A group of women started
a National Peacebuilding Platform or
discussions and engaged the elders of
the government, political parties, lib-
Forum for consultation and coordina-
the different clans and set up a mediation
eration movements, churches, business,
tion
process. After several meetings, the elders
a Conflict Analysis and Early Warning
agreed to sign a code of conduct, which
& Response System
effectively stopped the violence. This
•
When Nelson Mandela was released
from prison in 1990, South Africa was deeply divided, resulting in an escalation of violence. Then all main stakeholders:
came together and signed the National Peace Accord (NPA) in 1991. In this ac-
•
•
2012 PEACE MONITOR
11
LEFT Paul van Tongeren established the European Centre for Conflict Prevention and convened the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), which organised a conference on the role of civil society in peacebuilding at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in 2005 at the invitation of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Paul is co-founder of the International Civil Society Network on Infrastructures for Peace.
RIGHT Elections may be a good entry point for starting a process towards establishing an I4P. During the postelection violence in late 2007/early 2008 in Kenya, far less violence took place in many districts where District Peace Committes were operating.
development led to the establishment of
lence. Elections are planned in advance.
tures. What can people do at the local level
the Wajir Peace and Development Com-
We should gradually plan in advance as
when conflict and violence are escalating
mittee, with the District Commissioner as
well the capacities and structures that are
in their neighborhood and the government
chairperson. When this model proved to
needed for peaceful elections.
is failing to give protection ? The answer,
be successful, such Committees were
Â
in many countries, has been to create
also established in other districts.
Semi-independent Peace Infrastructure
informal Local Peace Committees, without
in late 2007/early 2008 in Kenya, far less
An Infrastructure for Peace involves the
violence took place in many districts where
government and other stakeholders at all
because the local community felt threat-
District Peace Committes were operating,
levels; this is crucial.
ened, violence increased, justice and de-
than in districts without such Committees.
velopment failed.Then people took matters
The government then decided to establish
dominate the process of establishing an
into their own hands.
DPCs in all districts. In all these cases,
Infrastructure for Peace. It has the capaci-
the existence and well-functioning of
ties, power and resources to do so. The
LPCs have an impact on local communi-
Peace Committes, reduced or prevented
process may become top-down and less
ties by keeping the violence down, solving
violence.2
inclusive and participatory.
community problems and empowering
local actors to become peacebuilders. It is
During the post-election violence
A government can easily steer and
Governments and political parties
a national mandate from the government. Most LPCs were established locally
In many conflict-affected countries,
Peaceful Elections
have often less legitimacy and are some-
remarkable to see that in several countries
Elections may be a good entry point for
times perceived as corrupt and not deliver-
such as the DRC, Colombia and Afghani-
starting a process towards establishing
ing justice, security and development. In
stan, hundreds of LPCs exist.
an I4P. Nearly all countries have regular
such cases, the government can gain from
elections for president, parliament and
a Peace Infrastructure, with the involve-
are very dependent on the broader, politi-
local government. Elections become more
ment of respected civil society leaders. In
cal or conflict environment. If that environ-
contested and violent because underlying
polarised and violent situations, a govern-
ment becomes very polarised or violent,
grievances are often not addressed. An
ment may be paralysed.
they will be gravely affected.3
I4P substantially increases the chances of
peaceful elections by having a structured
ture is a preferable option, with a balance
Cost and funding
peace community/network, an early warn-
between the role of the government and
I4P and LPCs are very cost-effective. The
ing and response system, capacities for
the role of civil society and other stake-
establishment of I4P in some countries,
conflict prevention and mediation, while
holders.
has cost the UNDP Bureau for Crisis
The biggest challenge is that LPCs
A semi-independent Peace Infrastuc-
different sectors and levels are linked.
Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) no more
Local Peace Committees
than a few million US dollars. BCPR has
ed and nearly all of them have elections
Quite a lot of countries have weak, fragile
been involved in the establishment of I4P
and most of them have not addressed all
or collapsing governments. They may also
and similar programmes in some thirty
grievances and roots for conflicts well.
be ruled by authoritarian regimes, which
countries.
Elections tend to become triggers for vio-
are not interested in such peace struc-
Some 90 countries are conflict affect-
12 
PEACE MONITOR 2012
This cost has to be compared with
PHOTO: MARTINE PERRET - UN
the cost of conflict and civil war. In Kenya,
on I4P and LPCs, to make I4P more known,
the leading business association put eco-
to facilitate dialogues on the value of I4P
nomic losses from post-election violence
with different stakeholders internationally
in 2008 at US $ 3.6 billion. Two years later,
and to enhance the position of LPCs and
prior to the 2010 constitutional referendum,
NGOs within I4P. ▣
a UNDP-supported violence prevention effort identified and pre-empted nearly 150
Notes
incidents of violence and helped politi-
1
cal parties reach consensus on the draft
infrastructuresforpeaceinternational.org
constitution before the vote. There was no
2
violence and by contrast the exercise cost
structures for Peace-Experiences at three
only US $ 5 million.4
continents; Pensamiento Propio, early
both documents can be found on www. Paul van Tongeren, (2013),Creating Infra-
2013; www.cries.org
Growing interest
3
There is a growing interest in I4P. Countries
Cornerstone of Infrastructures for Peace ?
such as Ghana and Kenya are well under-
How Local Peace Committees can make a
way. Other Countries such as Kyrgyzstan,
Difference; Peacebuilding Journal; early
Uganda, Nepal and several others, are
2013
pioneering with I4P. There is also growing
4
interest of governments and civil society
structures for Peace; UN Assistance for
organisations in I4P and what contribution
Internally Negotiated
it may give towards sustainable peace.
Solutions to Violent Conflict; (2012) in :
5
Paul van Tongeren,(2013),Potential
Chetan Kumar, Building National Infra-
Peacemaking: from Practice to Theory;
International Civil Society Network on Infrastructures for Peace In the fall 2012 an ‘International Civil Soci-
edit. by Susan Allen Nan, Zacharia Che-
ADDITIONAL READING: - An Architecture for Building Peace at the Local Level: A Comparative Study of Local Peace Committees; (2011); a Discussion Paper by Andries Odendaal; UNDP - Journal on Peacebuilding and Development; V7N3, (2013), on Infrastructures for Peace. - Handbook Dialogue” Peace Infrastructures-Assessing Concept and Practice”; Berghof Foundation; www.berghof-handbook.net/dialogue-series/;forthcoming - Andries Odendaal, (2013), Rebuilding intra-community ruins. A Study of Local peace committees. Washington DC; USIP; forthcoming - International Civil Society Network on Infrastructures for Peace; www.infrastructuresforpeaceinternational.org All cited articles and documents can be found on this website.
rian Mampilly, Andrea Bartoli; Praeger; p. 384-399. 5
as 1
ety Network on Infrastructures for Peace’ was established, to exchange experiences and best practices of local peacebuilders
2012 PEACE MONITOR
13
Girifna – a part of Sudan’s non-violent history Endless media reports have been a witness to how years of conflict in Sudan have torn the country apart. What media too often ignores is that peaceful uprising has played an essential part of Sudan’s history, and that they continue to contribute making lasting peace in the country. One of the organisations fed up with the conflict is called Girifna. TEXT BY SIAVASH GOLZADEH
P
eace Monitor addresses the fact
A coalition government took over but was
other’s houses. They are not anti-govern-
that media too often neglect local
the victim of a coup d’état only five years
ment; they are pro-change. They are not
peace initiatives and that such
later. In 1985 the people of Sudan top-
demanding power; they are demanding
peace efforts and their effects conse-
pled another military dictatorship. Once
justice and their basic human rights.
quently receive insufficient attention.
again they brought down the government
Girifna started taking action by handing
The popular narrative also tends
through peaceful means
to frame non-violent protests as
and once again, only
message was simply “know your rights!”
a modern phenomenon, even
four years later, they
The second was to unite and that they
though such protests have a
lost power in a coup.
had to include women in the political pro-
long history. One country that is often portrayed as conflict ridden is Sudan. Even though Sudan’s
out messages on the streets. The first
Omar al-Bashir seized
cess. Now, three years later the number
power and to this day he
of organisations trying to include women
is the president of Sudan
have risen and more and more people
history of violent conflict is well
and the leader of the
agree that women need to be part of the
reported, little is known of
National Congress Party
ruling future.
the country’s long history of
(NCP).
Girifna uses a range of different
non-violent uprising.
The uprising of the
methods to mobilise opinion. They have
people is however not
tried everything from using humour
The people of Sudan
have experienced decades of armed conflict. Since its
only a part of the past. In October 2009, three
through a “soap ad commercial“ where al-Bashirs picture is washed from a dirty
independence in 1956 the
students in the city of Om-
shirt, to training people how to demon-
country has suffered through
durman founded the Girifna
strate and protest. But its not unproblem-
civil wars, human rights violations
movement. They dreamt about
atic working this way. Since Girifna was
and different types of regional conflicts.
a people’s movement under an orange
founded the authorities have targeted its
However, the struggle for a democratic
umbrella. They were fed up with their lack
members. Because of continuing harass-
Sudan through non-violent means has
of rights and the NCP. The word Girifna
ment some members were forced to flee
been going on for half a century. In 1969
actually means to be “fed up”! Girifna is
the country. Despite all of these efforts
in what was to be known as the October
a very modern organisation. They have
Girifna refuses to be silenced. They
Revolution the people of Sudan overthrew
no leader, only members. They don’t have
continue to mobilise people and they are
the government using non-violent protest.
an office, instead they gather in each
demanding to be heard.
14
PEACE MONITOR 2012
A staff member with Sudan’s National Elections Committee holds up a presidential ballot at Ta’heel Tarabawi Polling Station in El Fasher, Sudan, as the process for counting ballots begins.
PHOTO: ALBERT GONZALEZ FARRAN - UN
In January 2011 the people of South
individuals were arrested. Hundreds were
get information about what is going on
Sudan decided to split Africa’s larg-
kept for weeks without any charges, com-
in the region and the rest of the world
est country in two, hoping to end the
ing out telling stories about overcrowded
doesn’t not pay that much attention to
bloodshed. But the violence has not
prisons and cases of torture. Shutta was
non-violent organisations. As Shutta ex-
ended. According to Mai Shutta, one of
among the people who was arrested dur-
plains: “We don’t need money from other
Girifnas most prominent members, the
ing the summer of 2012. She was held for
countries. What we need is advocacy and
peace agreement was actually good.
42 days without any charges. But none of
media attention”. Girifna is just one exam-
“
ple of a non-violent organisation that tries
They are not anti-government; they are pro-change. They are not demanding power; they are demanding justice and their basic human rights
Everything is there in detail. The problem
these violations will provoke the move-
is that it only exists on paper and does
ment to take arms. In 2012 one of Girifna
not deal with the country’s problems as a
members told the reporter from PAX, the
whole. One of the biggest issues is that
Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society’s
the agreement only focuses on North and
magazine: “I believe that means and
South Sudan and not the other regions of
ends should not be in contrast with each
the country. Even if the peace agree-
other. If your goal is justice, you need to
ment stopped the physical violence it is
act fairly as well. It is a difficult road, the
not enough to guarantee the people of
sacrifices are huge, but it is also a very
South and North Sudan their rights and
powerful way for progress.“
freedoms.
the world and they are quite successful.
In their current revolution the people
Movements like Girifna exist all over
of Sudan are demanding their rights. Dur-
But they are facing problems. For the
ing the summer of 2012, more then 2000
people living in Sudan it is quite hard to
to change the world into a better place. They are working for peace, equality and trying to build a broader understanding between people that have been engaged in conflict against each other for such a long time. ▣
FURTHER READING: Girifna webpage: www.girifna.com
2012 PEACE MONITOR
15
Protest signs cover the fence separating the public beach from the American military base in Henoko, Okinawa. Plans of extending the base threaten the endangered manatees living there.
The Japanese
and never want to do so ever again but
Peace Clause
also a way for the people of controlling the government and making sure Japan’s militaristic history is never repeated.
and efforts to defend it
The Japanese constitution came
into effect in 1947 during the American occupation of Japan and right after the defeat in the World War Two. It introduced
As the only country in the world, Japan takes a constitutional stand against militarism. According to the peace clause in the Japanese constitution, Article 9, “the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes”.
pacifist ideals and the reality of Japanese security
Article 9
and defense policy is wide and increas-
movement, this double standard is a dilemma that is
A
country characterised by militarist rule and imperialistic
international peace based on justice
ambitions. Not
and order, the Japanese people forever re-
long after the
nounce war as a sovereign right of the nation
constitution
and the threat or use of force as means of set-
was adopted,
tling international disputes. (2) To accomplish
also shared by political civil society movements in other democratic
the situation
the aim of the preceding paragraph, land,
in the region
sea, and air forces, as well as other war
changed and the
potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will
and post industrial TEXT BY LINDA ÅKERSTRÖM
Japan, both new to a
Aspiring sincerely to an
ing. For the large Japanese peace
an anti-militarist and democratic
not be recognised.
countries. What do you do when thing look good on
American strategy towards Japan shifted. Instead of a
peaceful state, a military ally was demanded and pres-
s a consequence, Japan cannot
paper but the problem still remains?
sure was put on Japan to increase its mili-
keep military air, land or naval
tary capabilities. But 67 years after and in
forces with this capability. In the
Japan build on various ideologies and
spite of numerous campaigns to change
preamble of the constitution, peace is
traditions, with different strategies and
it, the constitution is still unamended. The
declared a human right. One could think
goals. In one way or another, though, they
reason is the strong support for Article 9
this is the most peaceful it could ever get.
all relate to the peace constitution. Article
among the Japanese people. To change
As a matter of fact, the constitution is
9 is based on Japan’s role both as a victim
the constitution would require a 2/3 major-
more far reaching than the goals set up
and as a perpetrator. The support of the
ity in the Japanese Diet and 50 per cent
by some peace organisations. In reality,
constitution is both a logical conclusion
support in a public referendum. So far, this
though, the gap between the constitutional
by a people that has experienced war
has not been reached.
16
PEACE MONITOR 2012
The many peace movements in
ALL PHOTOS BY LINDA ÅKERSTRÖM
ABOVE Noriko Kato and Ai Akuta at the organisation Okinawa Iken use advertisement in newspapers to raise awareness about the consequences of American military bases. LEFT Yukio Yamaguchi of Citizen’s Nuclear Information Centre believe that education is the key if young people are to understand the value of Article 9.
The interpretation of what is con-
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in 2004
taken and measure them against the con-
sidered to be in line with the constitution
introduced a campaign to make Japan
stitution. The strategy also involves raising
has become wider over the years. Today,
a “normal” country by allowing a bigger
awareness about the ways Japan goes
Japan has the sixth highest military
military role. A group of influential authors
against its own constitution, for example by
expenditures in the world and the Japan
and intellectuals launched a civil society
involving in international military missions or
Self Defense Force has over 250 000
counter-action, the Article 9 Association
supporting the American military presence
military personnel. Japan is in a military
and within five years, 7000 autonomous
in Okinawa. Defending Article 9 can also
alliance with the US and is covered by
citizens’ groups were active across Japan.
involve direct action, such as blocking a
the American nuclear umbrella. Around
When LDP lost the election for the upper
military helipad building site, like the Takae
40 000 American military personnel are
house, the efforts to change the consti-
citizens network in northern Okinawa.
still based in Japan, 2/3 on the islands of
tution were haltered. In 2012, many of
Okinawa. In 2011, the laws banning Japa-
these groups are still active in spreading
natural focus for actors wanting to change
nese arms exports were loosened to allow
knowledge about the need to keep Article
society. But this is only the start of the work.
for international collaborations. In spite of
9 unamended in the constitution. It is not
Civil society organizations have an impor-
this, the constitution limits defense and
uncommon to see volunteers handing out
tant democratic role to play in monitoring
security policy in important ways. There
leaflets outside local stores on the 9th,
and defending the policies in practice if
is for example a one per cent limit of BNP
19th and 29th of each month.
limit on military expenditure and the self-
defense forces are not allowed offensive
made it an international issue. There is a
weapon systems.
movement, represented mostly by lawyers
associations, focusing on spreading the
Japanese peace movements have
real change is to be achieved. ▣
The uniqueness of Article 9 has also
chosen different approaches to Article 9,
idea of constitutional anti-militarism to
mainly focusing on keeping it, spreading
other countries. The goal is to make the
it and defending it. Most organizations
right to live in peace a universal human
incorporate more than one of these as-
right and to gain international support for
pects into their work although the focus is
Article 9. Intensive lobbying has contrib-
usually on one of them.
uted to the UN Human Rights Council hav-
ing, in July 2012, established a working
The efforts to keep Article 9 are
Policies, laws and guidelines are a
mainly focused on opinion making, trying
group to negotiate a draft declaration on
to safeguard that the 50 percent of the
the right to peace.
public votes needed for amendment are
not obtained. There are several examples
and foremost focused on Article 9 in the-
where political discussions on amend-
ory, there are also organizations that work
ing Article 9 have caused large protests.
to defend the practice of anti-militarism.
One example is when the leader of the
These organisations scrutinize the actions
While the examples above are first
FURTHER READING: Anti-militarism: Political and Gender Dynamics of Peace Movements by Cynthia Cockburn, Pluto Press 2012. Shinjujin, New Japan Womens Association: www.shinfujin.gr.jp Takae citizens group: http://takae.ti-da.net Linda Åkerströms blog: www.klausulen.se
2012 PEACE MONITOR
17
Newfound peace in the Philippines The road to peace in Mindanao in the Philippines, has been a long and complicated struggle. The signing of the Bangsamoro framework agreement on the 15th of October 2012 between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is a historic step towards a sustainable peace. The Mindanao conflict has been one of the world’s bloodiest and after four decades of on and off conflict, the civil war has cost approximately 150 000 lives. TEXT BY SIAVASH GOLZADEH
T
he Bangsamoro framework agree-
members and the govern-
ment is a commitment by the MILF
ment chooses seven.
and the Philippine government to
The Transition Commission
establish a new political entity in Muslim
drafts the legislations on matters
Mindanao. It took sixteen years of nego-
such as power and wealth-sharing
tiations before an agreement was reached
while the MILF will decommission its
and the new Bangsamoro agreement will
armed forces.
change the political landscape of the
country quite drastically. The Autonomous
issues that need to be addressed before
region faces is to stop potential violent
Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will
the new entity can replace ARMM. These
uprisings. During 2011 a former MILF
be replaced with the new Bangsamoro
further negotiations will make or break the
commander raised his own army and
region that, to some extent, will govern
peace deal. Even though the Bansam-
established the Bangsamoro Islamic Free-
itself.
oro agreement is a historic deal, it is not
dom Movement (BIFM). In August 2012
unprecedented. Three earlier deals have
BIFM engaged in a short-lived offensive,
example have jurisdiction over Shari’ah
been wrecked for a number of different
trying to mobilise rogue parts of the MILF
courts where Muslims can settle non-
reasons. It is very difficult to say whether
units. The MILF answered publicly and
criminal cases between each other. The
the peace will hold or not. But both par-
said that this was a threat to the peace
Bangsamoro will also be able to create
ties seem quite satisfied with the agree-
process in Mindanao and vowed to help
its own sources of revenue. That includes
ment and the ongoing negotiations.
the Philippine security forces to deal with
legislations such as collections of taxes.
The civil society and experts from
the problem. Another question that raises
The government on the other hand retains
other countries have played a huge role
concern is how to handle Abu Sayyaf, the
control of defence and external security
to get the framework agreement signed.
violent Islamic sect that’s been accused
issues as well as the foreign policy. They
After the breakdown of the 2008 negotia-
of having connections to al-Qaida.
will also keep control of common market
tions, the MILF chairman declared the
and global trade, coinage and monetary
need of an International Contact Group
and the situation offers some points of
policies, citizenship and the postal ser-
(ICG) with the mandate to attend and
optimism. Today the MILF are better
vices.
observe the negotiations and also work
equipped to transform themselves from
The Bangsamoro region will for
There are a number of steps and
But there are still signs of hope
At the end of 2012 President
as an adviser. The parties preferred that
rebels to rulers with an improved political
Benigno Aquino III signed an executive
the ICG would include countries from the
wing with bureaucrats. President Aquino
order creating the Transition Commission.
Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC),
enjoys the support of his colleagues to
The 15-member Transition Commission
the European Union (EU) and accredited
lend weight to the process more broadly.
will craft the new Bangsomoro Basic Law,
INGOs.
At the same time key players who dis-
where the MILF chooses eight of the
sented from MILF in the past have shown
18
PEACE MONITOR 2012
One of the key problems that the
“
Most scholars believe that if the peace stands, the region can start its long overdue economic growth
second to Japan, most progressive
set by the government and MILF.
country. Today a quarter of its people live
below the poverty line.
in the framing of the negotiations. This
remarkable framework agreement has not
Most scholars believe that if the
Media can also play a bigger role
peace stands, the region can start its
received that much attention in the west-
long overdue economic growth. The
ern world. In fact, the ongoing conflict
Mindanao region is one of the most
has not got that much media attention at
resource-rich and fertile parts of the
all. International attention has proved to
country. Investors have already started
be very successful in putting pressure
looking into the region, thinking about
on and encouraging both sides of the
investing in it. Another consequence of
conflict not to abandon the negotiation
their support for the framework agree-
the deal is that the development aid sent
table. It is not only INGOs and the ICG
ment.
to this region will drastically increase.
that can do this but also the International
Most important is that the longer the
Another cause for optimism is that
the civil society in the Mindanao region is
peace lasts, more and more people living
far more developed today thanks to the
in the region will feel confident to reinvest
creation of the ICG. The engagement of
in their own community.
local and international NGOs has a huge
role in the broader peace process. They
huge part of the post-war Bangsamoro
are needed not only to help the dialogue
region. But there is a frustration among
between the government and the MILF,
local population who feel they have had
but more importantly to maintain pressure
no say in what kind of development aid
on the different actors.
they will receive. There is a fear that the
indigenous people will be left out during
Before the Bangsamoro freedom
community and international media. ▣
Development aid is going to be a
and self-determination struggle started
these negotiations, and it is vital that the
during the 60’s the Philipines were Asia’s,
issues discussed are not only the ones
2012 PEACE MONITOR
19
Questions & Answers with Isak Svensson TEXT BY SARA LINDBLOM
Isak Svensson is Associate Professor at the Department for Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University. He was formerly the Director of Research at the National Center for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Otago, New Zealand. His latest book is Ending Holy Wars: Religion and Conflict Resolution, University of Queensland Press, 2012
With Peace Monitor we are aiming
sort of “roadmap” for the coming negotia-
peacebuilding programme at their cam-
to highlight successful peace agree-
tions, it is a landmark in this protracted
pus, which had been affected by ethnic
ments or initiatives on local levels, that
social conflict, with its long drawn out
tension and violence between groups of
are often neglected in media reports.
negotiation process. This agreement is
students from different religious traditions
Have you experienced such peace
also noteworthy because it shows a way
and ethnic groups. Through a process
agreements/initiatives on local level in
of regulating religious aspirations through
called ‘Sustained Dialogue’ a group of
your research and field visits? Or do
the negotiation table, rather than fighting
young people engaged in active discus-
you have any other good examples to
them out on the battle-field. A third peace
sions about the problems and chal-
share?
agreement is so recent that by the time of
lenges regarding tension and violence
On a macro-level the overall trend when
writing we cannot judge whether it will be
at the Campus. They implemented this
it comes to peace agreements is not par-
sustainable of not. In Central African Re-
programme, however, an entirely new
ticularly encouraging. Peace agreements
public, a peace agreement was reached
fashion: in conjuncture with a research
are generally becoming less frequent,
in the beginning of 2013, between the
team at Uppsala University and Univer-
which is a worrying trend. The last two
government of Francois Bozizé and the
sity of Otago, they randomly selected
years we have only seen three peace
rebel-group Séléka. Beyond that, there
participations from a pool of interested
agreements in armed conflicts. In 2011,
has been a serious peace process in the
candidates. After the programme, the at-
there was the Addis Abeba Agreement
Colombian conflict with peace negotia-
titudes of the participants were surveyed
between South Sudan, but this lasted only
tions in Oslo during 2012. Overall, these
and compared to those from the pool
for a few days. A more hopeful event is
cases are important by themselves, but
interested in participating, but that did
the Bangsamaro agreement in the Philip-
unfortunately, they represent a minority
not. This type of ‘randomised intervention’
pines in 2012, which provided a compre-
of armed conflicts today: most are not
is extremely interesting because it can
hensive framework for the settlement of
resolved through peace agreements or
help us to identify causal effects: we can
the long-standing conflict with the MILF,
negotiations.
draw inferences about the effect of the
an Islamic-nationalist rebel group, fighting
dialogue programme in a credible way. I
for self-determination for the Moros-Mus-
course many initiatives going on in
would like to highlight this particular effort
lims in the Southern part of the country
the field of conflict resolution, conflict
because it shows the possibilities of co-
(Mindanao). The agreement provides a
transformation and peace building all
operation between research and practice,
high degree of autonomy for the Muslim
over the world. Among several initiatives,
and it shows the possibilities of designing
minority, and although it is not a final
I would like to mention the Peace Clubs
projects in a way that we can credibly say
comprehensive agreement but more of
in Ethiopia, which for time ago initiated a
something about their effect of peace.
On a micro-level, there are of
20
PEACE MONITOR 2012
Some conflicts get more attention
Is there a risk that sometimes there is
from inside the conflicting societies are
internationally than others. In what
too much international involvement in
important mediators. These types of do-
ways can this attention be positive for
peace negotiations?
mestic peace actors may have particular
conflict resolution and the potential for
Overall the international community can
advantages in terms of higher degree of
a lasting peace?
play a positive role if it stays committed
legitimacy but also more capabilities to
In the unarmed uprisings in the Middle
and engaged throughout a peace pro-
access and process sensitive informa-
East and Northern Africa, the so-called
cess, if it is unified in aims and coordinat-
tion in peace processes. We can see that
Arab Spring, the media attention was
ed in its actions to the conflicting actors,
these types of insiders increase the likeli-
largely a good thing. It helped create a
and if the external actors are seriously
hood of negotiated settlements through
sense of momentum in the uprisings. I do
interested in resolving the conflict. On
their mediation efforts, they are in other
not think the media exposure is a require-
the other hand, international engage-
words, effective as peacemakers. How-
ment – non-violent uprisings have been
ment can be problematic if the exter-
ever, they are also selective: they tend to
around much longer than Facebook and
nal actors have strong ‘side-interests’
be engaged in conflicts of lower intensity
Twitter – but media coverage overall, and
beyond resolving the conflict; or if the
and are relatively rare when conflicts
the new media forums in particular, may
international community is fragmented
become more violent.
help to explain the exceptional spread of
and uncoordinated. If there are too many
these types of conflicts.
actors that do not coordinate their efforts,
What do you think can be done to more
there is a risk that the primary parties
promote the positive and successful
sometimes an important requirement for
may take advantage of this and engage
peace efforts?
conflict resolution. In some conflict situ-
in ‘forum-shopping’, trying to utilise the
I think it is very disconcerting that we do
ations, in particular in post-conflict societ-
particular mediator that can offer them
not know much about the effect of peace
ies, there is a need for donor support for
the best deal, and play out the different
efforts, because they have rarely been
Attention to armed conflicts is
economic development but also for development of social infrastructure (a pluralistic civil society) and demo-
“
scrutinized through
Attention to armed conflicts is sometimes an important requirement for conflict resolution
cratic institutions.
systematic research. If we compare with mechanisms for economic and social development, where controlled field-
In conflicts that get more attention, there
mediators and peacemakers against
experiment through randomized interven-
is generally a higher degree of political
each other. There is also the risk of a sort
tions have been relatively frequent the
will to supply these kinds of resources. In
of ‘peace process fatigue’, where actors
last years, it is clear that peacebuilding,
other situations, peacekeeping or civilian
in conflict become disillusioned about the
peace promotion and conflict resolution
observations can be important tools for
prospects for achieving peace through
clearly lack behind. The problematic
peacemaking – again these types of
negotiations, because there have been
consequence is that we basically do not
measures require a commitment from the
too many previous failed efforts. However,
know what the effects of peace efforts
sender countries, which is partly a func-
as the Syrian case illustrates so starkly,
are. I think this an important challenge:
tion of the amount and type of attention
the main problem is not that we have too
for donors, organizations and peace
that the conflict generates. It is notewor-
many peacemakers in the world, but that
movements, it is necessary to a much
thy that some mediators think that one of
they are not allowed to act in some of the
higher degree than expose their own
their most important assignments is to
most important crises of today.
activities to systematic studies, through
make the conflict in which they intervene
randomized field experiments. This
known to the outside world, so that it
Media often reports about wars and
would require peace-oriented actors to
moves up on the agenda of central policy
disasters, but very seldom about local
focus their activities, and gradually, as
makers. Lastly, attention is also important
peace initiatives. Why is that so, do
the effects become clearly established,
in order to create the kind of pressure
you think? Can you mention a couple
scale up their engagements, instead of
that conflict resolution processes some-
of consequences (positive or nega-
spreading their engagement out (geo-
times need in order to function prop-
tive) of this selective reporting? Either
graphically and temporally) in a manner
erly. Conflict resolution not uncommonly
for the conflict itself or for the wider
that makes it difficult to see their effects.
needs to be built on the perception of a
“international community” to invest in
There have been a lot of discussions the
certain degree of urgency, not least from
peaceful conflict resolution instead of
last decades about the principle of ‘do-
the perspective of the primary parties.
military interventions?
no-harm’, but perhaps we need to move
In recent research coming out from the
to the idea of ‘know-what-you-do’ as an
When can the international community
Department of Peace and Conflict Re-
even more basic underlying principle for
play a positive role? Negative role?
search, we can show that peacemakers
engagement in peace building. ►
2012 PEACE MONITOR
21
“
The Arab Spring has lead to a renewed interest in studies not only to armed, but also to unarmed conflicts, which is very encouraging.
After 9/11 and the ’war on the terrorism’,
government of Somalia was supported by
of non-violent conflicts could help us to
it seems as if military solutions and
Ethiopia and Kenya when fighting against
understand the conditions under which
military interventions have been used
Al-Shabaab; and the government of
they ‘work’.
more often to address conflicts. Why is
Uganda was supported by troops from the
that so? Do you agree?
DR Congo, South Sudan and Central Afri-
disconnection between conflict resolu-
In 2011 there were nine intrastate armed
can Republic in its fight against the Lord
tion scholars and scholars studying
conflicts that were ‘internationalized’, that
Resistance Army (LRA). All these empirical
nonviolent uprisings (or, what we may
is, there were outside intervention on either
cases shows that military interventions are
call ‘conflict revolution scholars’). The two
the government or the rebel-side in the
quite frequent in intrastate armed conflicts
different academic discourses are largely
conflict. That was the same frequency as
nowadays. It also shows a certain degree
kept separate. This echoes, I think, also
in 2010. Yes, this is more frequent than
of ‘bias’ to the government sides, in 2011,
policy-making were conflicts are either
around the year 2001. Overall, we can see
all interventions were on the side of the
framed as non-violent popular uprisings
that such foreign intervention in intrastate
government, and military interventions on
against undemocratic regimes, where the
conflicts might complicate the resolution
the rebel-side is hence rather rare.
questions for the outside world is how to
of conflicts, although foreign interventions
In terms of research, there is a
support the challengers, or as intrastate
sometimes may also help to pressure
And relating to that question, how are
conflicts between ethnic groups, where
the parties to the negotiation table. In
the uprisings in the Arab world over
the outside world can help by keeping the
early 2013, we saw French foreign military
the last two years affecting the view on
peace or mediating between the parties.
intervention in Mali. In the year of 2011
peace and conflict resolution, in terms
Clearly the world is not that black and
(which is the last reported year in UCDP),
of academic research? Can these move-
white, and conflicts do not fall neatly into
US troops or unmanned military drones
ments have an effect on how peace and
those categories. Rather, there is a certain
supported the government of Iraq, the
conflict resolution is discussed on a
mismatch empirically between these two
government of Yemen against the AQAP
political level?
‘ideal types’. It is therefore an important
(al-Qaeda on the Arab Peninsula), and the
The Arab Spring has led to a renewed in-
challenge for research in the coming
government of Afghanistan against the
terest in studies not only to armed, but also
years to synchronise insights from conflict
Taleban movement conflict, and it received
to unarmed conflicts, which is very encour-
revolution research with conflict resolution
support from France in the al-Qaida
aging. There are now several efforts, for in-
research. For instance, how can power be
conflict. Moreover, Niger supported the
stance, to collect data on a global scale on
shared between antagonists after unarmed
government of Algeria and the government
non-violent uprisings, which is necessary
uprisings? What types of mediators are
of Mauritania was supported by troops
for serious comparative analysis of these
most suited for mediating in non-violent
from Niger and Mali: these were the con-
types of non-violent conflicts. Compared
conflicts? What is peace guaranteed
flicts with the Islamist AQIM rebel-group.
to what we know about armed conflicts,
(peace guarantees) after popular non-
Rwanda was supported by the DRC in its
the lack of knowledge on unarmed conflict
violent uprisings? These are some of the
fight against the FDLR rebel group, the
is problematic. More data on these types
22
PEACE MONITOR 2012
questions that urgently need answers. ▣
Share your peace story! Have you experienced or heard of a peace initiative or a success story somewhere in the world? We would like to know! In different parts of the world where there is an ongoing armed conflict there are also people fighting for a more peaceful society. There are different kinds of peace works initiated by people whose actions indicate alternatives to all forms of violence, oppression and injustice. As a peace movement we want to highlight peace initiatives and what contributes to peace rather than focusing on conflicts. Therefore, we call for your best peace story! Your story can be an important contribution to our next Peace Monitor report. Send us an e-mail to info@svenskafreds.se For further information please visit www.peacemonitor.org
Support Peace Monitor! Donate money for future Peace Monitor reports! In order to continue publishing Peace Monitor reports we need funding. To reach our vision of publishing annual Peace Monitor reports that lists peace initiatives, peace agreements and peace projects in the previous year, we need continued and sustainable funding. If you want to support Peace Monitor please contact Christoffer Burnett-Cargill: E-mail: christoffer@svenskafreds.se You can also support the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society by donating money online, or supporting us on a regular basis by becoming a member. For further information please visit www.svenskafreds.se
THE SWEDISH PEACE AND ARBITRATION SOCIETY (SPAS) The success story of our peace organisation is that of opinion-making together with other people, as well as influencing policymakers to make decisions in support of peace. We initiate debates and spread knowledge through seminars, articles, manifestations and letter-writing campaigns. We also support peace projects in conflict areas and war-torn regions in the world and work together with international partners to achieve our goals for peace. Our major aims are to ease tensions, advocate peaceful conflict resolution, speed up disarmament, promote transformation of military resources into development and sustainable development and support democratisation as well as respect for human rights. We believe that conflicts can be solved with peaceful means. SPAS is the world’s oldest and Scandinavia’s largest peace organisation. It was formed in 1883 by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Klas Pontus Arnoldson. The organisation is politically and religiously independent. SPAS is a non-profit organisation with approximately 8000 individual members.
www.svenskafreds.se