Public Participation in Peacemaking and State-Building - Achieving Post-Liberal Peace in South Sudan - Research Proposal Example

Peacemaking and building in South Sudan Public Participation in Peacemaking and building: The Pathways to achieve the Post-liberal Peace in South Sudan Background South Sudan became a republic on 9th July 2011 after it was declared an independent state. Prior to the independence it was part of the greater Sudan republic. The history of South Sudan is identified more by conflict; itself is a product of conflict with the Northern Sudan that was resolved through a peace agreement in 2005 that saw the end of conflict and the process of establishment of independent state begin (Biel 11). The achievement of independence was celebrated by all Southern Sudanese who felt that they had finally achieved self-determination. However, soon after this milestone achievement, the reality of state- building began downing on them and political difference and tribal conflicts became evident thus threatening the sense of the very independence and self-determination that they had been seeking for a long time. In the face of the political difference and tribal conflicts, the government seems to be incapable to mediating the warring community and propose the political agenda that can bring the rebels inclusive. The most recent evidence of tribal conflicts emerged when the Murle community who had previously attacked the Nuer and the Dinka community were attacked as part of the revenge of the attacks they had undertaken before (South Sudan News Agency 4). Despite the government’s effort to try and intervene, no significant outcome has been yielded so far in regard to solving the conflict. A clear indication that the tribal and intercommunity conflicts cannot be solved by imposed interventions. Instead, the government needs to involve the communities in a people driven peacemaking and nation building process that seeks to bring all the warring communities together in brotherhood and statesmanship. Research objectives 1. To identify the appropriate peacemaking strategies for the warring tribes within South Sudan and their involvement in conflict resolution. 2. To recommend the most effective approach of conflict resolution for conflict in Southern Sudan 3. To assess the role of dialogue and mediation in resolving the conflict in Southern Sudan Review of Literature The fact that South Sudan is facing political difference and tribal conflicts cannot be disputed. This fact is unfortunate because it may have very detrimental impact on the social, economic, and political progress of this ‘newly-born’ nation. There are various causes that are mentioned as resulting to conflicts in the South Sudan and they include: perceived or real unfair allocation of resources and power on the basis of ethnic background and geographical location (Johnson 147). South Sudan is indeed a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society composed of more than 68 ethnic groups. As such, ethnic conflicts and political differences may be inevitable especially among the majority ethnic groups and between the majority and minority ethnic groups; this is particularly so if the question of resources and power is not addressed accordingly (Kaufmann 46). Dominant role of some tribes over the others has fuelled the ethnic conflicts in South Sudan and is threatening peace and security of this new country. The most notable domination is that of the Dinka community; other communities feel they are having unfair (larger) share of the political power and they dominate most of the nation’s critical resources (South Sudan News Agency 4). It is no doubt that such conflicts and differences if not contained will negatively affect the economic, social, and political progress of South Sudan both in the short and in the long run. Ethnic conflict will result to systematic attacks of civilian populations leading to displacement of people and in some cases loss of lives. Due to this, people of South Sudan will not be able to settle and engage in development activities that will improve their lives, hence poverty. In addition, ethnic conflict will result to social crisis in the nation as families and schools among other social institutions will be disrupted. Social crisis such as diseases, suicide, and desperation among others will be on the rise hence affecting the general wellbeing of the people of South Sudan (Non Violent Peace Force 6). On the other hand, political differences will result to suspicions and political tensions that will affect the operation of the government leading to poor delivery of services. Besides, political differences may lead to hostilities hence contributing to conflict (Kaufmann 45). In conflict resolution, mediation is an approach in alternative dispute resolution which is applied in attempts of resolving disputes or disagreements between two groups or more. In mediation, a third party is usually involved who acts as the facilitator of the dispute settlement process (Gahr and Saliba 37). In mediation dispute resolution, the third party usually gives a viewpoint of what is considered to be a fair settlement of the dispute. The parties in conflict agree on the evaluative settlement in successful conflict resolution approaches which employ mediation. The troubling happenings in Southern Sudan and the many deaths associated with the conflict among the pastoralist tribes requires a neutral third party to act as a mediating party who would provide a solution to the deep rooted conflicts in the newly independent state (Aras 79). The mediating party should be a reliable international organization such as the United Nations which would influence the tribes and put an end to the wars in the Southern Sudan. Through mediation the sufferings, deaths and fleeing from home in the state would come to an end. The mediation as an approach to the conflict resolution should target the warring tribes such as the Dinka, Murle and Nuer. A well structured mediation process would lead to a binding agreement between groups in conflict and thus stop more deaths in this region. The conflict resolution that is made possible through mediation usually involves dialogue between the disputing groups (Kriesberg 400). It will be the responsibility of the mediator to facilitate the dialogue between the disagreeing parties. The open negotiation in a mediation process usually leads to a fair agreement which caters for the needs of the groups involved (Gahr and Saliba 37). This can only be achieved if the mediator is totally neural or impartial. In Southern Sudan, the disputes which often arise from family and community conflicts in additional to the economic interests of the pastoralists groups would thus be solved if mediation was given an adequate chance of reaching a long lasting solution. Conflict resolution is necessary in order to solve the ethnic conflicts and political differences hence averting imminent danger of nation collapse. Conflict resolution is also necessary in ensuring that South Sudan makes significant and irreversible progress in the economic, social and political; spheres (Biel 20). As it has been noted, government interventions have not yielded any significant outcome in regard to resolving ethnic conflicts, and have in some cases worsened the political differences. Therefore, there is need for change of approach in the conflict resolution process in South Sudan in order to achieve the post- liberal peace in South Sudan. Experiences in most countries that have resolved the conflict among warring communities and various researches have shown that public participation in peacemaking and state- building is critical in achieving long- lasting and sustainable peace in any given country (Papagianni 3). Papagianni argues that peacemaking and state- building need to be approached as a process rather than an event because this is likely to generate long lasting peace and legitimacy to a given country. Post war nations often experience the challenges of legitimacy and conflicts and it is important that these challenges be addressed gradually and amicably to avoid counterproductive efforts (Nonviolent Peace Force 9). Basically, public participation is defined as a practice, right or principle that facilitates involvement of parties that are affected potentially by certain decisions or occurrences. It is based on the principle that the parties affected have the right to make decision that aim at making their situations better; as such, public participation is expected to influence the ultimate decision. State- building is defined as a process of rebuilding or establishing an entity (state) that combines all the roles of the state and the legitimacy of this entity is derived from it performing its roles (Papagianni 16). The uniqueness of the conflict in Southern Sudan calls for unique intervention. There has been a historical tension between pastoralist groups in the state such as the Murle and Nuer. The conflict is as a result of the pastoralist activities which involve moving across the land of other tribes which normally causes fighting. Therefore, the conflict in Southern Sudan is driven by the economic activities of the tribes which are inevitable sources of livelihood for these tribes. Hence the groups need to come into a mutual agreement between themselves with the help of a neutral mediator. It is through mediation that a wide range of dispute resolution possibilities (Nan, Allen and Andrea 5). The process of mediation in the Southern Sudan conflict will be the most appropriate approach because a flexible process will be made possible through negotiating teams who would eventually agree on the most appropriate way of ending the wars. Because all of the tribes in conflict are experiencing the adverse effects of the fighting, it is arguable that they all desire for a resolution of the historic tension. Thus a mediator will play an important role in facilitating a fair agreement within the state. A neutral nation can act as the mediator in southern Sudan to end the wars and the economic, social and political implications associated with the conflict. Methodology A qualitative research methodology will be used in the study of the public participation in the resolution of the conflict within Southern Sudan. This methodology is suitable for this research because it will enable the researcher to collect relevant qualitative data which will be important in meeting the research objectives. The qualitative data to be collected includes the challenges that the tribes in Southern Sudan are facing in this period of conflict. Additionally, the root causes of the conflicts could be identified through a qualitative approach which will be suitable in determining the best strategy for resolving the conflict within the region. The data collection will employ interviews which are suitable tools for collection of qualitative data. The data will enable the researcher to recommend the appropriate interventions which the government and other stakeholders within the regions should use to cause a permanent solution to the problem. The government interventions have failed to yield a solution because they focus focuses on the superficial causes of ethnic conflicts and political differences therefore evidence based recommendations to the government are necessary (South Sudan News Agency 5). Researchers have shown that effective use of public participation in peacemaking and state- building often results to durable and productive change (Kaufmann 48). The collection of qualitative data will also be obtained through documentary sources such as the history of the Southern Sudan tribes and their cultural and economic activities. The analysis of the data will employ coding techniques which will enable the researcher to categorize the information for easy interpretation. Logical analysis of qualitative data will also be applied in the analysis of the collected data and this will be important in the determination of the role of dialogue in the conflict resolution process in southern Sudan. Through dialogue, the disputants in Southern Sudan will be enabled to see the future and the situation in which they expect their society to be in (Hanzich 38). In mediation alternative dispute resolution approach, the mediator plays the role of helping the groups in conflict to view the future so that they would appreciate the need for peace. Southern Sudan would like to grow economically and politically like their neighbours (Nan, Allen and Andrea 9). Through a mediation process therefore the warring tribes will be able to see how the conflict is delaying the rate of their growth (Hanzich 41). My intended aims to pursue PhD in Conflict Response 1. To acquire adequate knowledge in conflict response which will enable me to have an ability to analyze ethnic conflicts and recommend the most appropriate solutions. 2. To give me a basis for the building skills and development of experience in conflict response. 3. To contribute to the available knowledge in conflict response 4. To enable me to adequately participate in programs which aim at resolving conflicts through various conflict resolution strategies. Conclusion Southern Sudan is facing a challenge of conflict among its tribes which calls for immediate action that is aimed at resolving the conflict in this region and thus providing a long lasting solution to the problem. This paper proposes a research on the role of dialogue in the providing a solution within Southern Sudan with a special focus on mediation conflict resolution approach. The proposed research will use qualitative methodology with interviews and documentary sources acting as the tools of data collection. The analysis of the collected data will be interpreted through coding and logical analysis which will enable the researcher to assess the role of dialogue and its effectiveness in resolving the conflict in Southern Sudan. Works Cited Aras, Damla. "Sudans Ticking Time Bombs." Middle East Quarterly. 2011. Vol. 18. No. 4, 79-84. Biel, Rout. South Sudan after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Jena: Netzbandt Verlag, 2007. Print. Gahr, Richard, Joseph, Mosca, and Saliba Sarsar. "Conflict Nan, Susan Allen, and Andrea Strimling.”Coordination in Conflict Prevention, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding." International Negotiation. 2006, Vol. 11, no. 1, 1-6 Resolution and Mediation." Leadership & Organization Development Journal. 1995, Vol. 16, no. 8, 37. Hanzich, Ricky. "Struggles in South Sudan." Harvard International Review. 2011. Vol. 33. No. 1, 38-41. Johnson, Douglas. The Root Causes of Sudan’s Civil Wars. African Journal of Political Science, Vol. 8 No.1, 2007. Kaufmann, E. Rethinking Ethnicity: Majority Groups and Dominant Minorities. Routledge, 2004. Print. Kriesberg, Louis. "Conflict Resolution Applications to Peace Studies." Peace & Change. 1991. Vol.16, no. 4, 400. Nan, Susan Allen, and Andrea Strimling. "Coordination in Conflict Prevention, Conflict Resolution and Peace building." International Negotiation. 2006. Vol. 11, no. 1, 1-6. Nonviolent Peace Force. Interstate Conflict in South Sudan: A Case Study in Unarmed Civilian Peacekeeping. 2010. Web. 14 Jan, 2012. Papagianni, Katia. Participation and State Legitimation. 2008. Web. 14 Jan, 2012. South Sudan News Agency. The Root Causes of Conflicts in South Sudan. 2011. Web. January 14, 2012. Read More