POLITICAL

CONFLICT
BACKGROUND
 Conflict - is an expressed struggle between at least two
interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scarce
resources, and interference from others in achieving their goals.
A conflict is more than a mere disagreement

 Politics - may be explained as the practice and theory of

influencing other people. More narrowly, it refers to achieving
and exercising positions of governance — organized control
over a human community, particularly a state.
It could be formal or informal
POLITICAL CONFLICT
Political conflict may be explained as an
expressed struggle by a community or
group arising out a perceived or actual
threat to their interests, or ability to
acquire and exercise governance within
a larger group or country. Political
conflicts escalates easily if left
unresolved
How does political conflict
emerge?
 FAULTY AMALGAMATION OF GROUPS TO FORM
A NATION/SOCIETY
 WEAK STATE INSTITUTIONS
 INEQUALITY, EXCLUSION AND
MARGINALIZATION
 BREAKDOWN IN SOCIAL CONTRACT AND
CORRUPTION
• Social Contract is a framework of rules that governs
state-society relations and the distribution of resources,
rights and responsibilities in an organized society
The actors are…
The essence of a political conflict lies in a contradiction,
adequately represented by the concept of a “positional
difference”
It presupposes the presence of at least two
entities/groups possessing intellectual capacity and
vision, capable of communication. Such an entity/group
is called an actor.
Major actors in political conflict include:
1. Countries
2. Religious Groups
3. Individuals sharing a common ideology e.g. women rights group
4. Cultural Groups
 How political conflict affects the
economic, political, social
development and lifestyles of the
affected persons.
 HUMAN TOLL
POLITICAL GOVERNANCE
SOCIOECONOMIC COSTS
LEGACY OF LARGE SCALE HUMAN
RIGHTS ABUSES
Role of mediator
Mediation is a process where two or
more parties appoint a third-party
neutral (“Mediator”) to help them in a
nonbinding dialog to resolve a dispute
and/or to conclude the terms of an
agreement.
 Functions of mediators in
political conflict
 Convener - assist in contacting the other party(-ies) to
arrange for an introductory meeting.
 Educator - educates the parties about the mediation
process, other conflict resolution alternatives etc.
 Communication Facilitator -seeks to ensure that each party
is fully heard.
 Translator - can help by rephrasing or reframing
communications so that they are better understood and
received.
 Functions of mediators in
political conflict
 Questioner and Clarifier- probes issues and confirms
understandings
 Process Advisor- to suggest procedures for making progress in
mediation discussions e.g.. consultation with legal counsel
 Catalyst -By offering options for considerations, stimulating new
perspectives and offering reference points for consideration,
mediator serves as a stimulant for the parties reaching
agreement.
 Responsible Detail Person -manages and keeps track of all
necessary information, writes up the parties' agreement, and
may assist the parties to implement their agreement.
 Ways & mechanisms of
preventing political
conflict
Information gathering
Establishment of information gathering centre.
This centre would be a first level centre for
complaint handling and information gathering and
analysis. A process or system must be put in place
that can acquire information about the causes and
likely nature of the potential conflict so that the
appropriate preventive action can be identified
 Develop platform for dialogue
This would encourage discussion among various cultural,
religious, youth, gender based, civil groups through their
mediators.
Building/Strengthening strong institutions
Strong independent institutions like courts and police free
from government interference that would build trust in
fair treatment in any political conflict.
Identify and train mediators
This involves identification of people from various groups
that will be trained in mediation and conflict resolution.