PEACE

PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

THE ROLE OF PEACE IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND THE FUNCTIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION STYLES AND INSTRUMENTS IN NIGERIA

COMPILED

BY

ODO Collins Chibuzo, Faculty of Engineering, ENUGU STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

Key Words: Peace ,Conflict ,Styles and Instruments.

Introduction

Nigeria is a large multi-ethnic country where ethnic cleavages remain a critical problem and ethnic violence has erupted periodically. Among the prominent conflicts in Nigeria are: Ife-Modakeke Crisis in Osun State; Yoruba-Hausa Clashes in Shagamu, Ogun State; Eleme-Okrika Conflict in Rivers State; Zango-Kataf in Kaduna State; Tiv-Jukun in  Wukari, Taraba State; Ogoni-Adoni in Rivers State; Chamba-Kuteb in Taraba State;  Itsekiri-Ijaw/Urhobo in Delta State; Aguleri-Umuleri in Anambra State; Ijaw-Ilaje  conflict in Ondo State; Basa-Egbura in Nassarawa State; Hausa/Fulani-Sawaya in Bauchi, among others. These conflicts have provided a pattern that makes scholars to attribute their causes to greed, power and wealth distribution. The impacts of these crises have led to loss of lives, displacement of people, destruction of properties, etc. Thus, the greatest challenge facing the process of conflict resolution in Nigeria is the issue of maintaining balance among the conflicting parties by the third party (preferably the Nigerian Government). This balance, however, can only be met if the roots of the conflict(s) are traced and treated fairly. Going by this analysis, the lessons from the Ife-Modakeke crisis makes a good study because of its strategic importance in Yoruba history; and again, its prospect for conflict resolution in Nigeria.

 Conflict resolution in Nigeria is multifaceted in that it refers to a process aimed at resolving ethnic conflicts through constructive means. In most cases, Panels/Committees set up to investigate communal clashes often identify the underlying causes of the conflict and address them through solutions that are mutually satisfactory, self-perpetuating, and sustaining. While it is true that not all conflicts lend themselves to conflict resolution techniques, the Ife-Modakeke crisis makes an exception. In the words of A. R. Asiyanbola (2007), the Ife-Modakeke crisis remains the oldest intra-ethnic conflict in Nigeria which makes the process of peace making a realistic one.

EXPLICATION OF TERMS

Peace

Peace is defined as freedom from disturbance; tranquility; or a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended. Peace is the concept of harmony and the absence of hostility. In a behavioral sense, peace is a lack of conflict and freedom from fear of violence between individuals and heterogeneous social groups.

 In a publication on peace and security Steward, (2012) stated that peace is when people are able to resolve their conflicts without violence and can work together to improve the quality of their lives. Peace is when everyone lives in safety, without fear or threat of violence, and no form of violence, and there is a system of fair and effective laws protecting peoples’ rights. The Oxford English dictionary (2003) simply defined peace as a situation or period of time in which there is no war or violence in a country or area. Also, from Oxford advanced learner’s dictionary (international student’s edition),Peace can be defined as a state of being calm or quiet.

Throughout history some of the most extraordinary and benevolent leaders have used peace talks to establish a certain type of behavioral restraint that has resulted in the establishment of regional peace or economic growth through various forms of agreements or peace treaties. Such behavioral restraint has often resulted in de-escalation of rhetorical and physical conflicts, greater economic interactivity, and consequently substantial prosperity. The avoidance of war or violent hostility can be the result of thoughtful active listening and communication that enables greater genuine mutual understanding and therefore compromise. Leaders often benefit tremendously from the prestige of peace talks and treaties that can result in substantially enhanced popularity.

Sustainable Development

The failure of traditional development strategies, which were essentially (top-down), to meaningfully impact positively on the lives of the rural populace, has resulted in the search for, and adoption of an alternative development approach, which applies “bottom-up” strategy to development.

As a concept, sustainable development is that development which meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (UNDP Training Module: 17). According to Harris (2000) it is development which protects the environment, advances economic prosperity and social justice. The practical implications of this orientation, is that sustainable development frowns at all activities that degrade or have the potential of degrading the environment, and demands that these activities be stopped. It is, therefore, not surprising that sustainable development is fanatically environment-friendly and advocates and pursues activities and policies that are intended to renew and improve the environment. More importantly, sustainable development preaches, among other

things, capacity-building among local beneficiaries of development projects, to ensure that these projects will continue in existence and remain functional even when external assistance is withdrawn or ceases. In this wise, sustainable development cherishes and calls for effective broad participation as a means to sustain the development process, hence the actual meaning of the “bottom-up” approach.

Sustainable development, both as a concept and as a strategy, aims at meeting the country’s needs; achieving sustained decent living conditions in a given country, eliminating poverty; maintaining the physical and human environment for the present and future generations of the members of a given country; involving all members of the community in the development process and ensuring equal benefits of what is produced.

Conflict

The term ‘conflict’ can be used in two senses. It refers to an incompatibility in a multi-party or multi-issue situation, in other words, a state of affairs in which two or more irreconcilable views or options are posited towards the solution of a particular problem. In the second sense, conflict refers to the violent expression of this incompatibility of irreconcilability. Even though the two conceptions overlap.

Conflict in simple terms, means a state of disagreement, controversy  or opposition.  It could also mean the existence of a prolonged battle, struggle or clash between two or more parties.  Obegi and Nyamboga (2008), quoting Nicholas (1992) described conflict as situations where two people (or groups) wish to carry out acts which are mutually incompatible. He further states that conflict involves, “the pushing and pulling, giving and taking, process of finding the balance between powers”.  In either case, conflict is generally characterized by a breach of peace or understanding among parties involved. It is difficult to establish the precise causes of this conflict largely because conflicts differ from each other in terms of the combination of factors that give rise to them, and also because conflicts are social phenomena involving human beings and are not given to rigid scientific explanations.

Conflict is a normal, and even healthy, part of relationships. After all, two people can’t be  expected to agree on everything at all times. Since relationship conflicts are inevitable, learning  to deal with them in a healthy way is crucial. When conflict is mismanaged, it can harm the  relationship. But when handled in a peaceful and positive way, conflict provides an  opportunity for growth, ultimately strengthening the bond between two people. By learning the  styles  you need for successful conflict resolution, you can keep your personal and professional  relationships strong and growing.

 Peaceful Co-Existence

The notion of peaceful co-existence is, like all such notions in the social sciences, better understood contextually and

The matically. Moreover, it lends itself to manipulations and different usages. It is a good servant, indeed, a handy compass, at the control and command of its master. It serves the mighty as well as the weak, the big as well as the small.

More importantly, it has been in existence since human settled experiences. In other words, the desire for peaceful

existence is part of humanity and has dominated and continued to dominate international, national and local/community efforts at promoting the well-being of the people. For instance, following the political independence of some Asian countries, and their desire to protect and defend their independence, China, India and Myanmar jointly sought solace in peaceful coexistence as a tool for development. Consequently, they issued the five principles of peaceful co-existence as pillars on which to base their developmental aspirations.

The five principles were built around” mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states;

mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs; equality of members; mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence.

The popularity of  these principles and their relevance in today’s world can be seen from their almost unconditional

endorsement by the United Nations in its charter.

It is important to note here that these five principles of peaceful coexistence are not mere rhetoric, they have practical applicability through:

(i) Upholding the sanctity of sovereign equality of states

(ii) Cooperation in the fight against a common problem like terrorism

(iii) Acknowledging with due concern the diversity of world’s economies

(iv) Promoting common development of the world’s economies on the basis of equality and mutual benefit;

(v) Promotion and maintenance of peace and security through dialogue

(vi) Recognizing and giving full scope to the important role of United Nations and other multilateral arrangements

(Chinese Envoy 2007)

Consequently, the notion of peaceful co-existence is very crucial and relevant to international development efforts.

No wonder the Chinese Envoy proudly asserted that:

Aspiring for peace, development and cooperation has become the popular will of the 21st century and the

irresistible tide of the times. Let us hold out hands together, holding high the great banner of the five principles of peaceful co-existence, and make fresh contributions to the lofty cause of world peace and development.

However, while this notion of peaceful co-existence makes enormous sense for the promotion of sustainable

development, it falls far short of expectations at the local/community levels. At these levels, co-existence deals with the anxieties and problems which characterize the relationships between persons or groups in which none of the parties is desirous to destroy the other (Kiesberg, 1998). This is exactly the case along Nigeria’s border. None of the ethnic, cultural, religious and occupational groups that inhabit both sides of the border is anxious to destroy the other. Rather, what they want is a conducive atmosphere to carry out their businesses. According to Kriesberg (1998) co-existence manifests  itself both structurally and subjectively at these levels. Structurally, co-existence is characterized by degrees of interact with each other. It may also be characterized by different degrees of integration or separation between groups.

Integrated groups are interdependent and equality and inequality. Along the Nigerian border structural co-existence

manifests in the activities of the pastoralists (herdsmen); fishermen, smugglers, and other economic saboteurs, especially in the Lake Chad basin, Bakkasi Peninsular, Cotonou and other centres of illegal economic activities. Because of the interdependent nature of this type of co-existence, efforts to disorganize and dislodge it usually resulted in tension and, sometimes, open conflict.

However, under subjective co-existence identified by Kriesberg (1998), relationships are characterized by degrees

Of  tolerance and mutual respect and, sometimes, dehumanization. Generally, groups tend to value their own members more highly than others, and so to devalue members of other groups. On the whole, tolerance is fostered by identities which cut across group boundaries (Kriesberg, 1998).

This is exactly the case along Nigerian border, especially  in Bakkasi Peninsular, where centuries of interaction and group activities have engendered tolerance among the inhabitants o f both Nigerian and  Cameroonian  extractions. Unfortunately, this tolerance has been viciously attacked by  government  security  agent, thus leading to threats to peaceful co-existence, or in the Lake Chad zone, where state security agents, including  the military, have, on occasions, resorted to military assault on Nigerians. Under these circumstances and depending on the aspects of co-existence being emphasized or frustrated, sustainable development cannot take place.

PEACE: A Tool for Sustainable Development in Nigeria

We have noted that sustainable development is that development which meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This scenario plays itself out only in conditions of peace and peaceful co-existence. Lack of peace or its converse, a situation of conflict, armed struggle, war and even threats of these, is not and cannot be conducive to development. Crises destabilize human settlements, economic activities, social interactions; conflicts unnecessarily raise tensions and create uncertainties, for instance, among the Nigerian fishermen in the Bakkasi Peninsular, and the Lake Chad; the pastoralists across Nigeria-Niger border; the damming of rivers which pass through neighbouring countries just to punish and spite the target country, as was the case with Nigeria and Cameroon. Apart from all these, conflicts destroy human lives, vital infrastructure, and natural resources. Peace, on the other hand, promotes development in several ways. Under peaceful conditions people are more at ease and can easily activate their humanity. They can meaningfully think about their present conditions and ways of improving their future. They can be real “rational man”, “economic man”, “organization man”, “and political man”. They can invest in economic ventures, participate in social and political activities and think about future generations. Economic activities along the border are beneficial to Nigeria as they add not only to the gross domestic product but also critically affect the development of human capital which is an essential ingredient of sustainable development. These cannot obtain in conditions of crises, conflict or war. The occasional closure of borders by either party normally leads to untold economic and social hardship on both sides. Instances of the benefits of peaceful co-existence to sustainable development abound. The Kainji Dam, the economic artery of Nigeria, would not have been possible in conditions of conflicts, crises and war between Nigeria and her neigbours- Niger and Benin Republics. Again, the Port of Cotonou, Benin Republic Capital, would not have been accessible to Nigerian businessmen under conditions of crises, war and conflicts. Despite occasional clashes and skirmishes, the fishing rights of Nigerians and Chadians in the Lake Chad would have degenerated into a full-scale war.

THE FUNCTIONAL CONFLICT RESOLUTION STYLES AND INSTRUMENTS IN NIGERIA.

There is  the need to design effective measures for resolving conflicts. Wikipedia (2005) sees conflict resolution as the process of attempting to find solution to or settle a dispute.  This process may take different patterns which include the use of force or authority of the state to enforce peace and the establishment of relationships or agreements among groups (Obegi and Nyamboga, 2008). The application of force or coercion and adjudication in resolving conflicts seem to be harsh strategy capable of bringing about uneasy peace that could be easily eroded.  Thus, a more permanent way of resolving conflict should make use of negotiation and arbitration.  This approach relates to the “conflict transformation” approach of Lederach (1997) as identified by Obegi and Nyomboga which sees conflict as caused by changes in relationships which can only be resolved when negative or destructive interaction patterns are transformed into a positive or constructive relationships and interactions.  The application of this approach would result to lasting peace between the groups in conflict.

However, one factor that has been found common in a conflict situation is the absence of the right information or breach of communication between the parties involved.  Provision of the right information has been seen as the Panacea for conflict resolution.  According to Gisesa (2008), researches regarding conflict and peace have revealed that conflicts are based on deficiency of information, stressing that cases of  misinformation, wrong information or missing  information enhance disparity in opinions and social differences which may lead to as well as heighten conflicts.

Effective conflict management strategies can minimize the negative impacts of conflict in Nigeria and help create a trusting environment that builds healthy and improved interpersonal relationship, peaceful co-existence, economic growth and national development (Ramin, 2011). Thus, conflict management is interference in an ongoing conflict process with the objectives of: reducing the level of destruction and violence; and preventing its escalation into other areas. Just as causes of conflicts are diverse in Nigeria, so also are the strategies to curb or manage it. Thomas and Kilman, (2007) identified five conflict management styles: competitive; collaborative; compromising; avoiding; and accommodating. However, Goldfien & Robbennolt (2007) opined that the dual thrust model of conflict management is based on two underlying themes: pro-self (that is concern for self) or pro-social (that is concern for others) goals.

CONCLUSION

Conflicts arise from different/combination of causes and as such there is no one specific effective management strategy. The key to an effective conflict management strategy for an enduring peace is the ability to nip and address the root cause(s) of any conflict.

Nigeria has faced grave challenges that have threatened her corporate existence, both in

the past and in the present. As daunting as these issues may have been, they are merely

raw challenges to the leadership and management abilities of the nation’s leaders. Basic

conflict management techniques require that in the face of differing challenges, the

political and social managers of the nation should select from a portfolio of styles the

ones that are most suited to the nation’s needs. But above everything else, there must be the

will and the weal to do justice to all manner of men - without fear, favour or ill-will. The

Nigerian Federal and State Political leaders must rise to the challenge of the moment to

provide leadership where it matters most.

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