Communal violence as a strategy for negotiation: Community responses to nickel mining industry in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

This paper explores why the local community in Bahodopi Sub-District, Morowali District in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, committed communal violence during conflicts with a nickel mining company. Six acts of communal violence occurred during the ten years of nickel industry operations in the area, driven by the resulting environmental damage, and seizure of residents' land. The research data was sourced from in-depth interviews with six village activists, five district government staff, three police staff, and three company staff, and focus group discussions with twelve participating citizens and 65 citizens who were not active in communal violence. Using social action theory and the structure of political opportunity, the results of this study reveal that village activists are agents that facilitate and advocate for local communities to successfully commit communal violence as a negotiating tool in obtaining compensation for the negative impacts of mining operations. The district government, police and mining company provide opportunities for communal violence to be resolved through negotiations rather than through state justice. To prevent further communal violence, the company must make social investments to build trust and empower the citizens, involve village activists and the local community through CSR and dialog for peaceful negotiations.