NOTE NO, 12 BASIC IDEAS ON PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION In order to understand Peace and Conflict resolution, it is important that one first understands the Human Person (Man) which we discussed last semester in Philosophical Anthropology, Aside cs inge ‘broad view on Man, the scope is then narrowed to the morality of human praxis (action) ~ Ethics, In the topics before now, we considered the different ethical views that people hold and the Justifications they put forward for holding their views as well the fundamental ethical principles that constitute the compass of human action, We also looked at the practical application of :he Fundamental Ethical Principles in concrete human interactions and the implications on human fulfilment, of abiding by or undermining those Fundamental Ethical Principles. Given the foregoing background, this topic - Basic Ideas on Peace and Conflict Resolution focuses on understanding the basic terms in Peace and Conflict Resolution and how Peace building and conflict resolution draws from the Fundamental Ethical Principles, PEACE . Peace is a state of harmony characterized by justice. There are several notions of peace depending on the context in which peace is considered, “For some, peace means the absence of conilict, For others it means the end of violence or the formal cessation of hostilities: for still others, the return to resolving conflict by political means. Some define peace as the attainment of justice and social stability; for others it is economic well-being and basic freedom.” ” Peace is built and preserved on respect for human dignity, respect for “true” freedom and based on the understanding and appreciation the other person as a “thou” (end in itself) rather than an “it” (a means to an end). Respect for the religious beliefs of each individual in a state governed by just laws with responsible media that educates the public on the norms and values of a morally ordered society is also an essential conditions of a peaceful society. sry important for the individuals to pursue their fulfilments in life. This is because human goods both intrinsic and extrinsic are negatively affected (even lost) in war or Situation, As such the individuals affected cannot advance their fulfilment, The Boko manitarian crisis in Syria are examples that readily come to Peaceful society is ve conflict Haram menace in Nigeria and the hu mind. ent and Peace Building. Academy ashington, DC. P.40. * of 0 7 “Terms for Conflict Managem Dan Snoderly, 2011), Peace Terms: Glasser of Terms for Conflict Menogene toe for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding UniteCONFLICT ae isa state of disharmony icting goals. It could be wa, Which We shall.see later in the i given the ambivalence of man fea nie When two or more persons or group pursues ‘ther violently or non-violently. Its extreme form is war tes. Conflict is an inevitable phenomenon in human societ and likelihood of opposing interests, ” Conflict occu i urs at various levels, We i . We have; ith human reason), inerpenanar oY have; conflict within man (when the emotions deflate eee ees “onal conflict, conflict between man and nature, “conflict” between man pean "fest in sin), organizational conflict (it could be between shareholders and gement). There is also conflict at ethnic, state, national, international levels. OTHER TERMS IN PEACE STUDY Peace Building Peace building is effort at reconciliation and rebuilding in a post-conflict time becomes urgent, The scope of peace building extends to alternative conflict resolution other than war, protection of human rights, resettling Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) as well as educating the public on the importance of peace. Pacifism This is the position that peaceful rather than violent or belligerent relations should govern human interaction and that arbitration, surrender, or migration should be used to resolve disputes.” Pacifism rejects conflict or war in any form. » Peace Makers Peace making should be the concern of everyone in the society. However, there are bodies that coordinate peacemaking in conflict or war situations, Some of the bodies are: African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), Commissions of Inquiry and Negotiators. Peace Enforcement “This is ensuting that the resolutions of peacemakers take effector that post-conflict atmosphere is preserved. This involves follow-up on the implementation of the agreements reached by the conflicting parties during their negotiation to end conflict or war. Peace Dividend g and reinvestment This refers to social welfare packages that come due to cut in military spending of what could have gone to military into social welfare. _—_ ; ; clopaedia of Pilesophy In Edmund lgboanus, (2008) Applied ® alexander Moseley, Pacifism; The Internet Ency Ethics. Owerrl: Living Flames Resources, P.254,WAR AND THE ETHICS OF WAR “War is contention by foree™ Cicero “War is continuati tion of polities by - other 5 opponent to fulfil our wi”, ther means. An act of violence intended to compel our Karl Von Clausewitz. “A state of open and di eclared, hosti i ; eres , hostile armed conflict between states or nations, or a period of What defines War? The following conditions define war: + It must border on power control. + It follows failure in peaceful and dialogical negotiation. + There must be actual conflict of arm and not mere threat. ‘The armed conflict must be intentional and widespread. The onset must involve conscious and significant mobilization on the part of the opposing parties. . It starts with a heavy quantum of force. of It must be between states or nations (not between individuals and gangs).* ‘on but could sometimes be an inevitable option. d morality nor should give anyone leeway to ed hence the ethies of war. War is never a good option in conflict resolutic However, the presence of war does not suspen undermine the Fundamental Ethical Principles earlier discuss Bi ‘Owerrl: Living Flames Resources. P.226, Edmund Igboanusi, (2009) Applied Ethics.TYPES OF WAR War is categori ‘+ SAtegorized based on the Motive and the people involved, * Itvedentist War: This j fc are em This isa war fought for return to the original country from where a ” driven by political circumstance. Example is the Soffialis in Kenya, + War of i is i ao evolution This is based on quest for political autonomy from a parent ‘Y- Example is South Sudan and the failed Biaftari War. % War of regime Change: Syria, ** War of social banditry: This is waged to discredit a government in power by séctional interest groups, ‘+ Inter-communal War: This was predominant in the pre-20" century Africa. Could there just War? Just War theory, an influential perspective on the ethics of war and peace holds that “holds that war can be justified if executed in defense of life or as a reaction to a steady and unwarranted threat to life and common good. ‘The theory provides the principles that should guide the execution of war before, during and fier the war. 1. Morality before the War (Jus ad bellum) demands that a war MUST: Have just cause. Be declared by proper authority, Be a Last resort. Possess right intention. Have a reasonable chance of success. Haye its ‘end’ as being proportional to the means, Vvvvy¥y ‘A war has a just cause if it is executed in self-defense of a nation or nations and also as an intervention by a country to save further loss of lives of people in another country that has come under oppressive regime, War is declared by competent authority, For example, before Nigerian soldiers are sent to war the President communicates and agrees with the national assembly otherwise the President might risk being tried for War crime after the war. And the War is declared after all dialogical options have failed — last resort./ just cause of War provi provable anticipated ag country. ides for preemprive smite by t of i, ‘one ‘. aggression against the atten eis the other asa rection to facking country nation by the attacked Also before a country goes to Wer: the be self- defeating to embark on a War th : otherwise will be tantamount to a “it Sh ; eau fs easonable chance of success because it will is obvious that there is n ; 10 chance of suc lary suicide”, “ In addition to having reaso, ans ing r reasonable chance of success, the end has to be proportional to the means, 2 Morality during the War (Jus in bello) e brinepls of ethics during the war derive from conventions, treaties and policies Signed by countries of the world, Example is Geneva Convention of 1949 (with effect from Oct. 21, 1950). This provides for both the external rules to observe by military of a country with the enemy state and its armed forces, and the intemal rules with its own people. What this means is that the situation of war does not give the military of both countries the justification to violate the rights and dignity of civilians of the enemy country neither does it give it justification to abuse its own people back home. The following principles highlight morality during war times: Compliance with intemational laws on weapon prohibition (chemical, biological and to an extent, nuclear weapons). No military attack on non-combatant (civilian) population. Proportionalty of force. Both sides must use commensurate force. Benevolent quarantine for Prisoners of War (captured soldiers). No intrinsically evil weapons; mass rape, poison, force soldiers to fight their comrades, ete, Ifcither of the party violates any No reprisal in violation by either of the parties. i er party the justification to do as of the principles above, it does not give the oth such otherwise both will be guilty of war crimes.grt of the ethics of war as it appli ipplies internally a couniry at war is the at people (especiall ly under (ie) should not bé conscripted (for seep and high handedness on he cefully dragged) to figh inthe media b ight. Gross misinformati y the government i mation through the is unacceptable, Morality after the War (Jus post bellum) The ethics of war as it apply t var situati islades ere pean pus is provides for general rehabilitation. This jpative(oishmen othe tha ent of the combatants, rebuilding of collapsed structures, ee eee committed war erimes as well as human rights education. This ae se lives have been affected by the war to put their shattered lives out once again in pursuit of their fulfilment in life. ROOT CAUSES OF CONFLICT IN AFRICA g as it should. ‘The root causes tthe African continent from developin religious Conflict and wars have kept of this could be traced to colonial and post-colonial political legacies, as well as fanaticism. « that for the purpose of commerce and verse tribal groups with little ‘a major recipe for post Ethiopia, Somalia). e of the 20" century “The historical political experience in Africa shows administrative convenience, colonial powers lumped together di for cultural and religious difference This has been is Somalia (Djibouti, Kenya consideration ict in Africa. Example: colonial confl Ethnicity and religion js another factor as evident in the most horrible carnag' Africa in Rwanda between the Hutus vs Tutis. ypressive regime is also another reason for the prevalence of conflict in Aftican (Arab Springs): FLICT AND WARS es on Philosophical be sum! Dictatorial and oP and even globally way TO AVOID CON sively from our class evious lectures, it could 1 peace in the society: rnd the topics on Ethics Anthropology lowing criteria and more Drawing exten er discussed in PH ed up that the fol earli yr ensuring will suffice fo ‘To see and treat the human Person as an end in itself and not a means. social Justice and readiness to Dialogue n Humanities. Young people should able them appreciate the digm «Openness «Education i ‘Anthropology 10 ¢! _ Respect for the right to religion 4” Beonomic empowerment «Respect for territorial sovereignty of nations. {just and competent judicial system: be educated in basic Philosophical ity of the human perso”.5 ‘Sources Sriodderly, e (2011) Peace Terms: Glossary of Terms. ‘for Conflict Management and Peace Building (Ed) Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding, United States Institute of Peace Washington, DC. Nhema, A. & Zeleza, P.T. (Ed) (2008), The Roots of African Conflicts: The Causes and Costs. Ohio: Ohio University Press, Igboanusi, E. (2009), Applied Ethics, Owerri: Living Flame Resources.