Processes of conflict de-escalation in Madagascar (1947–1996).

Abstract

Episodes of conflict ranging from situations of political tension to high-intensity conflicts have been occurring in Madagascar from the colonial period to the present day. This paper argues that (a) configurations of conditions are building up de-escalation processes in Madagascar, and each element in the configurations in which conflict de-escalation occurs interacts, coconstructs, and influences each other; (b) peace and conflict coexist throughout de-escalation processes, reminding us about the multileveled nature of peace; and (c) conflict transformation is key to explaining conflict de-escalation given that building peace requires a long process, especially when external and internal forces are in constant friction. Qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) allows for analyses of the contexts and parts of the mechanism behind de-escalation: (a) conflict dimensions (cultural, sociodemographic and economic, political and global external), (b) the degree of influence of the opposing parties as well as factions within each party and their repertoires of action, (c) the framing of the conflicts by these parties, (d) the boundary construction of the self/the other, and (e) accommodation policies. Metanarratives and local narratives influence/are influenced by these contexts and parts of the mechanism.