Sustainable Conflict Resolution Research Articles

Empirical Evaluation of Farmer-Herders’ Conflict in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Nigeria

The conflict between crop farmers and cattle herders has become a persistent issue in many regions of Nigeria, including the Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State. This study evaluates the nature of such conflict in the state and how it is managed using a multistage sampling technique to select 120 arable crop farmers in the state. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires. The study findings show that poor communication, crop destruction, and cattle theft are the primary causes of conflict between the crop farmers and cattle herders in Kwara State. Of all these causes, 84.4% of the study participants ranked poor communication as the first major cause of conflict, 67.5% ranked crop destruction as the second major cause of conflict, and 53.1% ranked cattle theft as the third major cause of conflict. These conflicts result in detrimental effects, such as property damage and loss of life. This study reveals that negotiation (83.1%), mediation (3.2%), and sanctioning (3.3%) are the conflict management strategies employed in addressing conflicts among the farmers and herders in Kwara State. Despite the use of negotiation, mediation, and sanctioning as conflict management strategies, conflicts persist between arable crop farmers and cattle herders in the study location. This persistence shows there is a need for improved education and communication between stakeholders to address this issue. The study recommends educational programs and enhanced communication channels to foster peaceful coexistence. Overall, the findings underscore the complex dynamics of farmer-herder conflicts and the importance of sustainable conflict resolution approaches. Keywords: Farmer-herder conflict, conflict management, communication, sustainable coexistence.

The Oromo-Amhara Ethnic Conflicts in Gidda Ayana and Kiramu Districts, North- Eastern Wallagga: Integrating Instrumentalist and Primordialists Theories

This study investigates the Oromo-Amhara ethnic conflicts in Gidda Ayana and Kiramu districts of North-Eastern Wallagga, with a focus on integrating instrumentalist and primordialist theories. The objective is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the conflicts by examining the interplay between instrumentalist motivations, such as breaches of contractual agreements over land and differing interpretations of constitutional rights, and primordial expressions, including the crystallization of ethnic identities and historical resentments. The methodology employed in this study involves a combination of qualitative research methods, including literature review, analysis of historical documents, and interviews with key stakeholders from both the Oromo and Amhara communities. The findings reveal that the conflicts are driven by a complex interaction between instrumentalist and primordialist factors, with resource interests and power dynamics playing a significant role in shaping ethnic relations. The study underscores the malleability of ethnic relations in response to shifting resource interests and power dynamics, demonstrating the utility of ethnicity in these contexts. Based on the findings, the study recommends, first promoting dialogue and reconciliation between the Oromo and Amhara communities is crucial to foster understanding and peaceful coexistence. Second, addressing land disputes through fair and transparent mechanisms can help alleviate tensions. Third, enhancing economic opportunities for both communities can mitigate resource competition. Fourth, strengthening governance and the rule of law is essential to ensure equal representation and address grievances. Fifthly, promoting cultural understanding and appreciation can counter historical resentments. Lastly, supporting community-based conflict resolution mechanisms to facilitate sustainable conflict resolution and peace building efforts.

Promoting Peace and Managing Farmer-Herder Conflict: The Role of Civil Society Organizations in Agogo, Ghana

AbstractContinued clashes between nomadic pastoralists and farmers generate concerns about the capacity of community-based civil society organizations to effectively navigate conflict resolution in Agogo Traditional Area (ATA), Ghana. The Agogo and Fulani associations ostensibly manage farmer-herder conflict but with mixed results. Setrana argues that, unlike foreign or international civil society organizations, community-based associations play important roles in managing conflict because they often have better cultural understanding. The success of such organizations, however, depends on whether they are perceived as indigenous or non-indigenous. This binary framework often leads to a winner-takes-all attitude and rarely results in sustainable conflict resolution.

Influence of Negotiation Dispute Resolution Mechanism on Sustainable Conflict Resolution in Bungoma County, Kenya

As noted by empirical evidence, negotiation is a key approach to the peaceful resolution of dispute and conflicts that may arise between the parties. It is also within the reach and control of parties like communication and collaboration because there are no third parties involved. Thus, negotiation is a direct process of dialogue and discussion taking place between at least two parties who are faced with a conflict situation or dispute. Both parties come to the realization that they have a problem, and both are aware that by talking to each other, they can find a solution to the problem. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of utilization of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms by leaders on sustainable conflict resolution in Bungoma County, Kenya. The study focused on identifying the various types of conflicts in Lwandanyi, Webuye and Cheptais Sub-Counties and the factors influencing the adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms with specific focus on negotiation . The specific objective of the study was to examine the influence of negotiation dispute resolution mechanism on sustainable conflict resolution in Bungoma County, Kenya. The sample size was comprised of grass root leaders. Simple random sampling and stratified random sampling methods were used to pick the required sample size for the study from the targeted population. The required data was collected using questionaire and interview schedules. The study found that leaders in Bungoma County appreciate and make use of ADR mechanisms in conflict resolution. Mediation mechanism was commonly cited as being used by leaders in addressing various forms of conflict. The study also found that land disputes are the commonest of all conflicts. This was attributed to historical land injustices especially in Mt. Elgon region where politicization of land allocations in the former white settler farms has led to long standing conflict between the Bukusu and the Sabaot communities. The study also revealed that most land disputes were arising due to lack of land ownership documents and rampant corruption at the lands’ ministry was blamed for this state of affairs. Based on the study findings, it was recommended that the National and County governments take decisive action to address the land grievances of the Sabaot community to stop the inter clan fighting and leaders be trained and equipped with skills and competencies necessary for conflict resolution. Keywords: Negotiation, Dispute Resolution Mechanism, Sustainable Conflict Resolution DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/111-07 Publication date: July 31 st 2021

Influence of Utilization of Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms by Leaders on Sustainable Conflict Resolution in Bungoma County, Kenya

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of utilization of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms by leaders on sustainable conflict resolution in Bungoma county, Kenya. The study focused on identifying the various types of conflicts in Lwandanyi,Webuye and Cheptais Sub-Counties and the factors influencing the adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms with specific focus on mediation. The study explored the place of ADR in conflict resolution and the extent to which ADR is utilized by leaders. The sample size was comprised of grass root leaders. Simple random sampling and stratified random sampling methods were used to pick the required sample size for the study from the targeted population. The required data was collected using questionaires and interview schedules. The study found that leaders in Bungoma County appreciate and make use of ADR mechanisms in conflict resolution. Mediation mechanism was commonly cited as being used by leaders in addressing various forms of conflict. The study also found that land disputes are the commonest of all conflicts. This was attributed to historical land injustices especially in Mt. Elgon region where politicization of land allocations in the former white settler farms has led to long standing conflict between the Bukusu and the Sabaot communities. The study also revealed that most land disputes were arising due to lack of land ownership documents and rampant corruption at the lands’ ministry was blamed for this state of affairs. Based on the study findings, it was recommended that the National and County governments take decisive action to address the land grievances of the Sabaot community to stop the inter clan fighting and leaders be trained and equipped with skills and competencies necessary for conflict resolution. Keywords: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Leaders, Sustainable Conflict Resolution DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/11-6-06 Publication date: July 31 st 2021

Influence of Conciliation Dispute Resolution Mechanism on Sustainable Conflict Resolution in Bungoma County, Kenya

Conciliation is a process in which the parties to a dispute, with the assistance of a neutral person, identify the disputed issues. Conciliation is the process by which one or more independent person selected by the parties to an agreement generally by mutual consent, either at the time of making the agreement or subsequently when a dispute has arisen between them, to bring about a settlement of their dispute through consensus between the parties by employing various persuasive and other similar techniques. This study sought to establish the influence of conciliation dispute resolution mechanism on sustainable conflict resolution in Bungoma county, Kenya. The study focused on identifying the various types of conflicts in Lwandanyi,Webuye and Cheptais Sub-Counties and the factors influencing the adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms with specific focus on mediation. The study explored the place of ADR in conflict resolution and the extent to which ADR is utilized by leaders. The sample size was comprised of grass root leaders. Simple random sampling and stratified random sampling methods were used to pick the required sample size for the study from the targeted population. The required data was collected using questionaires and interview schedules. The study found that leaders in Bungoma County appreciate and make use of ADR mechanisms in conflict resolution. Mediation mechanism was commonly cited as being used by leaders in addressing various forms of conflict. The study also found that land disputes are the commonest of all conflicts. This was attributed to historical land injustices especially in Mt. Elgon region where politicization of land allocations in the former white settler farms has led to long standing conflict between the Bukusu and the Sabaot communities. The study also revealed that most land disputes were arising due to lack of land ownership documents and rampant corruption at the lands’ ministry was blamed for this state of affairs. Based on the study findings, it was recommended that the National and County governments take decisive action to address the land grievances of the Sabaot community to stop the inter clan fighting and leaders be trained and equipped with skills and competencies necessary for conflict resolution. Keywords: Conciliation, Dispute Resolution Mechanism, Sustainable Conflict Resolution DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/74-04 Publication date: July 31 st 2021

The (Un)sticky role of exchange and inflation rate in tourism development: insight from the low and high political risk destinations

ABSTRACT Although the tourism industry has continued to exert a significant impact on economies of most destinations, the impacts of political (in) security, socioeconomic and financial dynamics in the destination countries are equally playing decisive roles. Mirroring from this perspective, this study examined the role of political risk, exchange rate and inflation rate on the inbound international tourists in the panel of 76 destinations over the period 1995–2017. By employing the Pooled OLS (Ordinary Least Square) and the Generalized Moment of Methods (GMM), the estimation results suggest that the political risk is a significant impediment to the growth of total tourism arrivals in the panel countries. In addition, high exchange and inflation rates, respectively, impact international tourism arrivals (ITAs) in a positive and negative pattern. Moreover, the findings show that the impact of political risk on ITAs is significant, and has a positive and negative effect in the low- and high-risk destinations, respectively. While the study urges for a formidable drive towards sustainable conflict resolution in destination countries, it further presents recommendations for preventing potential spillover effects in the event of the political, economic or financial crisis.

Sustainable Conflict Resolution through Community Based Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Planning in Fragile and Conflict Situations: The Case of Somalia

The study examines the nature of disputes, which are prevalent in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programming and suggests possible conflict management and resolution mechanisms. An online web-based survey, hosted on the popular Survey Monkey platform, was conducted through the Somalia WASH Cluster to 40 ‘active’ member organisations. A response rate of 73% was achieved. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo 12. The type of conflicts identified are as follows: visible versus non-visible benefits, emergency versus development focus, the young and the old, insiders versus outsiders, local versus donor priorities and men versus women. The article goes on to suggest possible conflict resolution mechanisms, which include: planning together with communities, continuum programming, setting up early warning systems, harmonisation of institutions managing WASH resources and the development of localised Memorandums of Understanding. It is recommended that the complexities of conflict and fragility require different approaches. The approaches would apply to both relief and developmental WASH programming.

Seeking Peace in South Sudan: The Contributions and Challenges of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)

The objective of this article is to critically examine the role(s) that the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has played in the restoration of peace in South Sudan. Methodologically, the article employed a case study qualitative research design as its main focus is analyzing the contributions and challenges of IGAD in seeking peace in South Sudan. The study revealed that IGAD has played a prominent and leading role in the South Sudan mediation. Since its involvement in the mediation process, it has played its utmost efforts in the South Sudan peace process to end the armed conflict and created the basis for sustainable conflict resolution in non-violent ways. The Agreement on the resolution of the conflict signed by the parties in August 2015, without doubt, is a major contribution to the resolution of the conflict. The agreement outlined a comprehensive plan to end the fighting, frame a post-conflict transition, and to begin the tasks of reconciliation and reform despite competing interests of the parties and diverging views of external partners. Furthermore, IGAD was instrumental in the realization of the IGAD High-Level Revitalization Forum on 21 December 2017. More recently, IGAD has played a prominent role in the signing of the Khartoum Declaration Agreement on outstanding issues on governance and security arrangements among warring parties held on 5 August 2018 in Sudan. Another achievement of IGAD was its ability to manage regional tensions, among its members, which prevented an agreement on power-sharing and security arrangements in the country. Finally, the article concludes that IGAD has achieved success in assisting South Sudan to integrate into the regional peacebuilding architecture.

The (Un)sticky Role of Exchange and Inflation Rate in Tourism Development: Insight From the Low and High Political Risk Destinations

Although the tourism industry has continued to exert a significant impact on economies of most destinations, the impacts of political (in) security, socioeconomic and financial dynamics in the destination countries are equally playing decisive roles. Mirroring from this perspective, this study examined the role of political risk, exchange rate and inflation rate on the inbound international tourists in the panel of 76 destinations over the period 1995–2017. By employing the Pooled OLS (Ordinary Least Square) and the Generalized Moment of Methods (GMM), the estimation results suggest that the political risk is a significant impediment to the growth of total tourism arrivals in the panel countries. In addition, high exchange and inflation rates, respectively, impact international tourism arrivals (ITAs) in a positive and negative pattern. Moreover, the findings show that the impact of political risk on ITAs is significant, and has a positive and negative effect in the low- and high-risk destinations, respectively. While the study urges for a formidable drive towards sustainable conflict resolution in destination countries, it further presents recommendations for preventing potential spillover effects in the event of the political, economic or financial crisis.

ENDURING RIVALRY AND CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION: THE CASE OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH/ՁԳՁԳՎՈՂ ՀԱԿԱՄԱՐՏՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ ԵՎ ՀԱԿԱՄԱՐՏՈՒԹՅՈՒՆՆԵՐԻ ՓՈԽԱԿԵՐՊՈՒՄ. ԼԵՌՆԱՅԻՆ ՂԱՐԱԲԱՂԻ ԴԵՊՔԻ ՇՈՒՐՋ/ДЛИТЕЛЬНОЕ СОПЕРНИЧЕСТВО И ТРАНСФОРМАЦИЯ КОНФЛИКТА: СЛУЧАЙ НАГОРНОГО КАРАБАХА

This study examines the nature of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and tries to identify a sustainable conflict resolution path drawing on the literature and the analytical framework provided by Enduring Rivalry (ER) theory and conflict transformation scholarship, thus adding the state-society dimension of the issue. Considering the attitudes of the conflicting societies, this study argues that, even in the unlikely scenario of the consensual agreement the result will be fiercely challenged by one or all publics, not only undermining the possibility of its implementation but also regime endurance. The study suggests to consider an approach based on conflict transformation and comes up with a recommendation entailing the management of the Sarsang reservoir.

IS THE PEACEFUL REGULATION OF THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT - MISSION POSSIBLE?

The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan for Nagorno-Karabakh is one of the most difficult to solve from all existing frozen conflicts. The knot of many problems interweaves historical burden and modern reality, occupied territories, military successes and defeats, tens of thousands killed, the fate of over one million refugees and forced evicted citizens, and a combination of Rivalry, interests and ambitions of the big international players. Almost 30 years since the beginning of the conflict and a quarter of a century of attempts for its peaceful and sustainable regulation by the OSCE Minsk Group, there is still no any progress towards its resolution. This article gives an overview of the options available to the conflict and the reasons for the lack of a solution acceptable to both parties. It also presents the current state of the conflict regulation processes and the positions of the States involved in the conflict. It is recalled the famous maxim that success in politics depends on achieving a balance between the interests of equally unhappy countries. The authors share their expert point of view on the need for compromises and acceptable concessions from Armenia and Azerbaijan, the role of Russia, the USA and France, as co-chairmen of the Minsk Group, as well as and active involvement of the wider international community for a peaceful, equitable and legal resolution of the conflict. The publication forecasts the future status of the relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The focus is on the new aspects in the politics of Baku and Yerevan after the last big escalation of April 2016. The current policy of the major countries involved in the conflict are clarified. Opportunities for sustainable conflict resolution are presented .

Management of Conflicts within Beer Drinking Settings

The study examined the role played by the intake of alcohol in as far as resolution of conflicts is concerned. The qualitative investigative study sought to respond to the following aspects; prominent conflicts experienced in beer drinking places, causes of the conflicts and prominent resolution measures applied. It was guided by the Public Sphere theory propounded by Jurgen Habermas which argues that public sphere is an area in social life where people assemble and liberally discuss detecting societal conflicts and effect solutions. The study observed 2 Clubs; X and Y at Chikwanha Business Centre and Zengeza 4 Aquatic shops in Seke rural and urban respectively, Zimbabwe over a three month period. Observations were consistent every Fridays and Saturdays from 1000 hours till 2300 hours. Data were analysed using latent content analysis to allow examination of the participants‟ mannerisms and narratives. The study established that beer drinking leads to more intuition, creativity and audacity regarding adoptability of conflict resolution measures. It also revealed that the most drunken parties implemented the most effective and sustainable conflict resolution measures. The study also noted that beer is a necessary commodity for social stability if religious, cultural and economic rules allow. Keywords : conflict resolution, conflict management, public sphere, beer, conflict

Pakistan-India Equation: Determinants, Dynamics and the Outlook

Though it has been a longtime since 1947, both Pakistan and India couldn't steer the trajectory of their relations in the right direction. Even in the twenty first Century, this relationship is, by and large, determined through the prism of history. The nuclearization of South Asia, triggered by India and the strategic arms race alongside perpetual state of conflict, have aggravated the threat of war that may no more remain limited or restricted to convectional arsenal; but has strong indicators of escalation of any future conflict to nuclear plane, leading to Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD.) The assumption that economic interdependence can lead to normalization of relations, has failed in this particular case. The determinants and dynamics of bilateral relations, holdout that normalization of relations is a complex phenomenon intricately embedded in the resolution of the core disputes. Be it the domain of military and strategic relationship, or either political or economic dimension, there has been no substantial improvement. The resolution of the core disputes including Kashmir is the key to the betterment of relations, which remains as an unfulfilled agenda in the United Nations. Bilateralism has failed so far, and there is a dire need for a sustainable conflict resolution mechanism assisted by third party mediation in order to restraint the region from arm race and the threat of nuclear war, and to ensure a prosperous and peaceful future for South Asia.

Optimal allocation of water to competing stakeholders in a shared watershed

This paper proposes a mathematical model for allocating water to stakeholders of a shared watershed. Each stakeholder in the basin has a water demand and a water profit; however, the available water cannot meet the demands of all stakeholders. This shortage raises a conflict between stakeholders as they use a common resource. To reach an agreement between the stakeholders in water allocation, first a model was developed to obtain the highest possible profit that a stakeholder can achieve if the stakeholder is allowed to utilize as much as possible water after satisfying the basin environmental demands (flows). Then, another model was introduced which allocates water to each stakeholder such that the minimum ratio of stakeholders’ profits to their highest possible profits is maximized. It is shown that the obtained solution is non-dominated in terms of considering each stakeholder profit as an objective, which means that none of the objective functions can be improved in value without degrading some of the other objective values. The proposed method is applied to the Sefidrud River basin, which is one of the biggest rivers in Iran. The stakeholders of this basin are eight administrative provinces that compete for utilizing more water while the Basin’s water resources could not satisfy all stakeholders’ water requirements. The model’s results show that it can successfully be used for sustainable conflict resolution in a shared basin because the model satisfies the environmental water requirement in the entire basin and provides equitably the same ratio of the stakeholders’ highest possible profits for them. For the case of this study, the proposed approach allocates water to the stakeholders in such a way that they could obtain at least 65 % of their highest possible profits in average.

Jerusalem Council in Acts Chapter 15:1-35: Its Relevance for Sustainable Conflict Resolution in Nigeria

This paper discusses Jerusalem Council in Acts chapter 15:1-35 and its Relevance for sustainable conflict Resolution in Nigeria. The paper identifies the crucial problem and controversy that called for Jerusalem Council. It identified and discussed the contributions of Peter and the leadership of James. Resolution and implementation of the Council for contemporary Nigeria society is identified. It is established in this work that the principle, method of debate, discussion, dialogue, resolution and implementation of decisions adopted for Jerusalem Council are very relevant in our contemporary Nigeria society, they are recommended for application in our society. Historical cum exegetical approach is used as method or instrument of achieving our objective in this work. Our finding is that the recommendation of Jerusalem Council was acceptable to the Gentiles and the Jews were happy with the acceptance. The implication of this acceptance was good understanding and harmonious living as the Gentiles were accepted unto Jewish- Christian fellowship without circumcision Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA

Jerusalem Council in Acts Chapter 15:1-35: Its Relevance for Sustainable Conflict Resolution in Nigeria

This paper discusses Jerusalem Council in Acts chapter 15:1-35 and its Relevance for sustainable conflict Resolution in Nigeria. The paper identifies the crucial problem and controversy that called for Jerusalem Council. It identified and discussed the contributions of Peter and the leadership of James. Resolution and implementation of the Council for contemporary Nigeria society is identified. It is established in this work that the principle, method of debate, discussion, dialogue, resolution and implementation of decisions adopted for Jerusalem Council are very relevant in our contemporary Nigeria society, they are recommended for application in our society. Historical cum exegetical approach is used as method or instrument of achieving our objective in this work. Our finding is that the recommendation of Jerusalem Council was acceptable to the Gentiles and the Jews were happy with the acceptance. The implication of this acceptance was good understanding and harmonious living as the Gentiles were accepted unto Jewish- Christian fellowship without circumcision

Mountainous Karabakh: New Paradigms for Peace and Development in the 21st Century

AbstractThis article analyzes the Karabakh conflict’s peace process and suggests a set of approaches to guide future progress. Proceeding from an interest-based framework, the research examines ways to reconcile the power, rights and interests of the conflicting parties. It is argued that a serious shift in the approaches and policies of both the conflicting parties and also the mediators is needed to achieve a breakthrough in the talks. In broader and long-term perspective, stable and sustainable conflict resolution requires the establishment of a power-sharing arrangement that would be based on equal and horizontal relationships between Armenians and Azeris at both sub-national (Mountainous Karabakh), and national (Azerbaijan) levels, and combines this power-sharing arrangement with regional integration.

The Dynamics of Social Capital and Conflict Management in Multiple Resource Regimes: A Case of the Southwestern Highlands of Uganda

Increasingly, social capital, defined as shared norms, trust, and the horizontal and vertical social networks that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutually beneficial collective action, is seen as an important asset upon which people rely to manage natural resources and resolve conflicts. This paper uses empirical data from households and community surveys and case studies, to examine the role, strengths, and limits of social capital in managing conflicts over the use and management of natural resources. We inventoried over 700 cases ranging from conflicts between multiple resource users to supra- community conflicts between local communities concerns for better livelihoods and national/international concerns for environment conservation. Results show how different types of social capital are used in preventing and managing conflicts. Endowment in certain dimensions of social capital significantly decreased the occurrence of conflicts and played a significant role in managing them. However, social capital mechanisms have some limits, and are not always effective in resolving some types of conflicts. For such conflicts, people rely on formal mechanisms for arbitration and adjudication. In many cases, these have resulted in exclusion, coercion, and violence. Results show that policies or social capital alone do not possess the resources needed to promote broad-based and sustainable conflict resolution strategies. Rather, people use a range of conflict management strategies of different types and combinations of social capital and local polices. This synergy between social capital and local policy is based on complementarity and embededness: mutually supportive relations between local government and local communities, and the nature and extent of the ties connecting people and communities and public institutions. Better understanding of how this synergy between social capital and local policy can be strengthened is crucial to minimize natural resource management conflicts.