Title: Conflict analysis and peacebuilding
Proceedings of the Conference on developing postgraduate studies in peacebuilding
The Catholic University of Goma – La Sapientia (Goma/DR Congo)
Monday 10th to Friday 14th June 2019
Jean Chrysostome K. Kiyala, Ph.D
Abstract
Conflict analysis provides an evidence-based interplay of factors that underlie conflicts to enable strategic and targeted responses to better manage disputes in the context where new forms of transition turbulence and the multiple interpretation of democratic processes emerge. This enterprise seeks out to reduce the likelihood of a (re-)emergence of violence in communities, regions, countries with history of protracted conflict and failure of post-election contentions. This paper explores the concepts of conflicts analysis (definitions, aims and objectives); conflict prevention; various styles of conflict resolution; the Christian architecture of peacebuilding; alternative dispute resolution (universal principles and African innovative approaches); and the contribution of civil society to resolve crises via multiple track-diplomacy). Furthermore, a correlation is established between the goals of civil society and peacebuilding and that is discernible in constitutional reforms, development of social capital (from a sociological point of view) and supporting infrastructure for peace; establishing strategies susceptible of bringing about the advent of the rule of law along with post-conflict security, justice and peace and observance of human rights). The discussion is concluded by bridging both concepts – conflicts analysis and peacebuilding and showing the extent to which conflicts analysis aims conceptually to building peace whereas a peacebuilding initiative attains more pragmatic outcomes.
Keywords: Conflict analysis, peacebuilding, civil society, alternative dispute resolution, diplomacy