PROGRAM

 

 

ABSTRACT
CONFLICT MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS: NEED FOR AN
ALTERNATE APPROACH
MOONIS AHMAR

 

The approach of conflict management (CM) for the de-escalation of conflict and preventing the upsurge of violence at the state and non-state level is considered as a pragmatic solution to deal with stalemate and stagnation in the process of conflict resolution (CR). Yet, the realistic application of conflict management in successfully lowering of temperature in a particular conflict situation doesn’t mean that the importance and relevance of CR as an approach of peace has dwindled.
      In the last six decades or so, a lot of work has been done to deal with issues, which cause violence and trigger the outbreak of hostilities. Particularly in the developing world, one can observe an environment marred with insecurity, violence and inadvertent use of force particularly by state actors. The deepening of inter and intra-state conflicts however, provide an opportunity to analyze why the process of conflict resolution has reached a point of stalemate and how conflict management as an intermediate approach can create plausible conditions for preventing further escalation of conflict and loss of innocent lives.
      No conflict can be managed or resolved without a proper mechanism. While the CR mechanism focuses on the termination of conflict and the assurance of peace, CM mechanism emphasizes on steps, which can provide a cooling off period between the two-conflict period for the final settlement of a particular conflict. The mechanism of conflict management would include the following:-

1. Ceasefire and the holding of ceasefire
2. Withdrawal of forces from conflict zone
3. Negotiations
4. Mediations
5. Arbitration
6. Cessation of propaganda warfare so as to improve the environment
7. Reducing trade and travel restrictions
8. Pursuing a win-win approach
9. Flexibility in positions adopted by the conflicting parties
10. Overcoming stalemate in dialogue process
11. Avoiding charges and counter charges

This paper attempts to examine conflict management mechanisms by responding to the following questions:-

1. What is the concept of conflict management and how it can help the process of conflict resolution and peace?
2. What is conflict management mechanism and how it can be effectively established?
3. What are the impediments in the process of conflict management?
4. What is the role of state, civil society and external factors in the process of conflict management?

*Paper presented in an International Workshop on Conflict Management Mechanisms and the Challenge of Peace organized by the Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Department of International Relations, University of Karachi in collaboration with the Hanns Seidel Foundation, Islamabad at the Arts Auditorium on November 26-27-2007

** Professor and Chairman, Department of International Relations, University of Karachi

 

 

*Paper presented in an International Workshop on Conflict Management Mechanisms and the Challenge of Peace organized by the Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, Department of International Relations, University of Karachi in collaboration with the Hanns Seidel Foundation, Islamabad at the Arts Auditorium on November 26-27-2007

** Senior Research Fellow, Area Study Center for Europe, University of Karachi.