Rebuilding Societies and States in the Context of Post-Conflict

The debate about resurrection or reconstruction of communities has never been more intense than
it is today. We are living in more polarized world where importance of resurrection can’t be
neglected. To dig ourselves deep into the topic, we must first understand the definition of the topic.
“Rebuilding” or “Resurrecting” of communities means regulating their lifestyle and norms in a
more convenient and systematic way. Since the post-colonial days, multiple nations and countries
have seen conflicts. It can be against atrocities of Government like in Rwanda, civil war in Libya
or like in the form of militancy in Iraq, Afghanistan or Pakistan. These conflicts often force people
to be refugees or internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Many renowned authors and think tanks have suggested different ways to deal with post conflict
situation. According to my perspective and understanding of situation, following measurements
should be taken to rebuild societies.

 Narrative of Government:
A very thorough and comprehensive narrative of government is very important to gain the
trust. People should be addressed about where they stand right now and what measurements
are going to be taken for them. For example: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan’s first
speech to the nation about ongoing economic crisis gathered nation on board which resulted
in austerity campaign and different environmental campaigns nationwide. People look
towards government to deal with their problems and hence a narrative addressing their
problems would not only increase trust but it would spread motivational vibe all across the
country to cope up with challenges.
 Political and Administrative reconstruction:
Politics and administrations are two main pillars of government. Country without
functional political or administrative structure is as good as a dead man’s desire.
Rebuilding of political system is first and foremost task followed by administrative
structure’s reconstruction. It gives people the power to use their rights. Administration
should make sure that people are getting basic needs like food and shelter to run their lives
and families. Pragmatic approach is fundamental while rebuilding these systems because
further every single reform depends on these two. Rwandan experience is good enough to
teach us the importance of these systems in the scenario of post conflict construction.
 Law and Order Reforms:
Injustice and worse situation of law and order actually comes in one of very basics causes
why conflict or civil war started in that particular region. So, law and order reforms follow
the political and administrative rebuilding. This is what people miss the most during
conflict days. Its regularity unites the people and helps them think that bad days are over
and they are secured in their own country.
 Judicial System:
Judicial system is very important in order to keep check on different officials and locals.
Having a strong judicial system means anyone in the country can raise voice for their rights
and that is norm of the civilized nations. Countries where courts are independent, prosper
by leaps and bounds. Judicial reforms will strengthen the citizens and enable them to think
for their better future.
 Socio-economic Development Check:
Socio-economic development of any country is measured by the occupation, income and
education of its people. Reforms in this sector would directly affect local communities and
lift their living standard. These reforms comprise of:
(i) Economic Reforms:
International communities and organizations like UN, and
World Bank runs special programs to help these kind of regions. Prioritizing the
economy, government should go to these platforms to get assistance. Economic
reforms are fundamental to develop socio-economic situation of country. It will not
only help govt. to rebuild the necessary infrastructure but also enables govt. to
create jobs and empower every family individually.
(ii) Education Reform:
During conflict, people become refugees like Syrians or
Myanmar. Most of the Muslims of Myanmar have crossed Bangladeshi Border as
legal or illegal refugees and are forced to spend their lives far beneath the level of
poverty. There they don’t get the “luxury” of education. In most of the cases,
refugees’ children don’t get education at all and when they come back, they lack
basic skills to earn livelihood. So, reforms in education system is very fundamental
and special priority should be given to children of refugees in order to secure their
 future. These children would be the future of state or at least the part of the future
and if they are left behind, then state has no future whatsoever.
 Health Reforms:
Health reforms are also needed in the areas of poverty stricken or conflicted zones. Good
policies on health put the trust of people on state and as a result, state institutions strengthen
themselves. It leaves no space for non-state actors to play any kind of role in creating
diaspora or any kind of violence. Weak society comprises of weak and paranoid minds
which can be brainwashed by any extremist group. Healthy society not only protects its
own interests but serves the state in best possible way to achieve national plan of the year.
 Inclusivity of State:

Inclusivity means every ethnic group gets her part in state affairs with no discrimination. It
encourages power sharing and addresses the depravedness of certain ethic groups which later
converts into extremist mindset and becomes cause of militancy in the region. For example:
Iraq had been in continuous transition state because of diaspora between ethnic groups. It
eventually left vacuum and became the reason of ISIS formation.

 Proper Addressing of Diaspora:

Diaspora leads to civil war which leaves the country in very vulnerable position. Different
campaigns should be channelized in order to bring different ethnic groups together.
National parties should avoid having members of a particular ethnic group only. It
provokes anti-national sentiments in other ethnic groups and leads to the environment of
mistrust on govt. Religious scholars should appeal the locals to live in harmony and mutual
respect. There should be same rules and laws for all nationals. Sectarianism and other
issues related to this can be addressed in this way.
 Rehabilitation Centre at Local Level:
During conflict, children and women experience the worst crimes against humanity and
hence feel traumas afterwards. For example: Yazidi women were forced to marry ISIS
fighters in Iraq, Sex trafficking of refugee girls on Syrian border and genocide against
Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. All these incidents leave victim in very deep
psychological disorder which should be cured with proper care in order to build a secure
future of the country.
 Environment and Natural Resources Management:
Loss of biodiversity and natural resources during the conflict days is obvious. After the
crisis, government and policy makers must think about preserving the environment to reach
the ultimate goal of peace and sustainable development. It comprise of the balance between
legitimacy of ecosystem, preservation of biodiversity and right and just steps to use natural
resources. Following should be main areas of focus during post conflict rebuilding of
environment.
(i) Preservation of Biodiversity in order to maintain the balance of global environment
and starting out new campaigns like “Green Pakistan” to encourage and educate
people about environment hazards.
(ii) Participation and encouragement of local communities to preserve natural
resources.
(iii) Encouragement of socio-economic policies that reduce poverty and manage natural
resources through sustainable development without further damaging the
environment.
 Check and Balance on International Funding:
Many international actors see post conflict construction as an “opportunity” to secure their
interest in the region. Therefore, proper check and balance by the government is mandatory
in order to channelize funding in proper and desired way. This thing should also be taken
into account that some elites can take that international fund but rather than spending it on
people and reconstruction, they use it for their benefit to create legitimacy for them in their
constituency.
 Empowering Locals:
Nations cannot be rebuild without rebuilding their local community. In every project done
at local level, maximum participation from the suburbs should be encouraged. They should
get the feeling of doing service in nation building. Local communities and non-government
organizations (NGOs) should be granted budgets for their part in nation building. Having
said that, a close eye is needed on NGOs getting direct foreign funding because they might
by getting advantage of the vacuum created by the conflict and promoting foreign agenda.
Pakistani govt. has banned many such NGOs in near past.
 Taking Care of Refugees:
 State should own her people those had been forced to migrate during conflict days and try
to reach out to them through proper diplomatic channel. This will not only grab respect of
international community but increase trust of its people on state which would eventually
help in nation building.

 Exception of Syria:
Until now, we have discussed a situation where conflicts has ended and government is
facing challenges to rebuild the country and where govt. has the legitimacy to conduct the
operations. Syria is an exception where its own government is accused of horrible crimes
against humanity like use of chemical weapons etc. People don’t want Assad to continue.
Unfortunately, conflict days for Syria are not over yet. Although Russia, China and Iran
are confident to invest in Syria as the sign of post conflict construction, but these actors are
playing the role of Assad’s friends and will invest only where govt. will see “benefits”.
Socio-economic development phase cannot be started until Syrian citizens get what they
are demanding for. International community should consider this matter seriously and take
some decisive steps rather than making it “playground” for their proxies. No voice in this
case is more important than Syrian citizens’ and clearly they don’t want Assad because
number of Syrian Refugees in Turkey, Jorden and Iran portray and completely different
picture than Assad’s govt. which is trying hard to portray a positive image.

Conclusion:
Rebuilding is a process that needs lot of attention and time but it is possible to achieve
goals through systematic way. Ground realities should be touched and main focus should
be on local community’s level. Empowering them would generate a long lasting effect on
nation’s future and economy.
International community need to take decisive steps in Syria to end the conflict. Before
that, any sort of attempt to do investment (whether in oil or construction) will further make
the situation worse.
References:

 John-Mary Kauzya, “Decentralization and Decentralized Governance for Enhancing Delivery in

Transition Conditions”, presented as a background paper for the Regional Forum on “Enhancing
Trust in Government through Leadership Capacity Building” in St.Petersburg, 28-30 September
2006
 UNDP/UNDESA, “The challenges of Restoring Governance in Crisis and Post-Conflict Countries”
 Antonio Carlos Carvalho, Debate on ICT for Disaster Management and Post Conflict
Reconstruction,
 Speech of Rwandan President Mr Paul Kagame at Princeton University
 Speech of Mr. Mansoor (Research fellow on Middle East and North Africa), Faculty of Politics
University of Cambridge.

Author’s Details:

Name:Hafiz Muhammad Haseeb Iqbal

Email: haseebiqbalvirk@gmail.com’

Contact: (+92) 3043418530

Country: Pakistan

Passport No: LD1337572