grassroots approaches to conflict oct16

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Presentation to Presentation to Administrative Officers, Administrative Officers, 16th October 2008, KIA16th October 2008, KIA

Grassroots Approaches to Conflict Grassroots Approaches to Conflict TransformationTransformation

Lazarus N. KubasuLazarus N. Kubasu, , B.A (Arts ) PGD (S trate g ic B.A (Arts ) PGD (S trate g ic

Communications), M.PHIL (Conflict Communications), M.PHIL (Conflict Analys is )Analys is )

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What is conflict?

ConflictConflict is a process that occurs is a process that occurs between two or more persons (groups, between two or more persons (groups, organizations, states) when they have organizations, states) when they have different points of views, different goals, different points of views, different goals, different needs and values, and fight different needs and values, and fight over limited resources.over limited resources.

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Conflict Transformation• A move from crisis to the desired changeA move from crisis to the desired change• Achieved through integrated approach to Achieved through integrated approach to

peace building.peace building.• Links crisis management with long-term Links crisis management with long-term

achievements. eachievements. e.g.g. . In South Africa - from In South Africa - from Apartheid era through truth and reconciliation Apartheid era through truth and reconciliation to integrative society where black and white to integrative society where black and white work together; Two – from 2work together; Two – from 2ndnd World War – to World War – to United NationsUnited Nations

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Critical conflict questions• Is Conflict a natural part of life?Is Conflict a natural part of life? Yes/No Yes/No• Is Conflict Good? Is Conflict Good? Mau Mau liberation Mau Mau liberation

war, U.S and UK stopping of Hilter.war, U.S and UK stopping of Hilter. • Is Conflict Bad?Is Conflict Bad? Hitler’s concentration Hitler’s concentration

camps, LRA in Uganda, DRC, camps, LRA in Uganda, DRC, Rwanda genocide, Rwanda genocide,

• How can conflict be contained? How can conflict be contained? Conflict management, resolution, Conflict management, resolution, sanction, quite diplomacy, sanction, quite diplomacy, compromise, cooperation, compromise, cooperation, transformation, etctransformation, etc

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Common causes of conflict• Human natureHuman nature – Argument that man is essentially an – Argument that man is essentially an

animal, instinctual, and self-interested animal, instinctual, and self-interested (Osama Bin (Osama Bin Laden, Hitler, Matekwei-SLDF)Laden, Hitler, Matekwei-SLDF)

• Struggle over limited resourcesStruggle over limited resources – e.g. Ogiek conflict, – e.g. Ogiek conflict, grazing land in Baringo and Laikipia.grazing land in Baringo and Laikipia.

• Legitimacy of the StateLegitimacy of the State - How inclusive is the political/ - How inclusive is the political/administrative power at all levels? administrative power at all levels? e.g. Zimbabwe, Ivory e.g. Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Myanmar, KenyaCoast, Myanmar, Kenya

• Rule of lawRule of law - Does unlawful state violence exist? - Does unlawful state violence exist? Jeshi Jeshi la mzee, Special Branch, Mwakenyala mzee, Special Branch, Mwakenya

• Does Does organized crimeorganized crime undermine the country’s undermine the country’s stability stability (SLDF, Mungiki, Chikororo, Bagdad Boys)(SLDF, Mungiki, Chikororo, Bagdad Boys)

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Common causes of conflict cont’d - 2

• Respect for fundamental rightsRespect for fundamental rights - Are civil and - Are civil and political freedoms respected? Are religious and political freedoms respected? Are religious and cultural rights respected? How free are the cultural rights respected? How free are the elections? (elections? (Kenyan 2007 elections, Mungiki – is Kenyan 2007 elections, Mungiki – is it a religion or a movementit a religion or a movement))

• Civil society and mediaCivil society and media - How independent - How independent and professional are the media? and professional are the media? Did vernacular Did vernacular (tribal) radio stations in Kenya spur conflict in (tribal) radio stations in Kenya spur conflict in Kenya before and after the elections.Kenya before and after the elections.

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Causes of conflict cont’d - 3• Relations between communities and Relations between communities and

dispute-solving mechanismsdispute-solving mechanisms - How good - How good are relations between identity groups in a are relations between identity groups in a country? For example Kenya.country? For example Kenya.- - Likoni clashes (97) – The coastals and Likoni clashes (97) – The coastals and inlandersinlanders

- Molo clashes (Kikuyus and Kalenjins) 97 - 2007- Molo clashes (Kikuyus and Kalenjins) 97 - 2007

- Thesalia clashes (92) – Luo and Kipsigis- Thesalia clashes (92) – Luo and Kipsigis

- Pokot Vs Samburu, Ilchamus, Turkana, Tugen, - Pokot Vs Samburu, Ilchamus, Turkana, Tugen, Bukusu, Marakwets, Sengwer (Cattle rustling)Bukusu, Marakwets, Sengwer (Cattle rustling)

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Causes of conflict cont’d - 4• Social and regional inequalities-Social and regional inequalities- How are How are

social inequalities tackled? How are regional social inequalities tackled? How are regional disparities tackled? disparities tackled? e.g. perception that Central e.g. perception that Central is rich because they have had two presidents; is rich because they have had two presidents; Neglect of North Rift Kenya; Neglect of Neglect of North Rift Kenya; Neglect of Northern Eastern provinceNorthern Eastern province

• Sound economic managementSound economic management - How robust - How robust is the economy? Presence of widespread is the economy? Presence of widespread corruption? corruption? Does agri-based economy induce Does agri-based economy induce conflict in the long-term? Yes!conflict in the long-term? Yes!

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Causes of conflict cont’d - 5

• Geopolitical situationGeopolitical situation - Is the state affected - Is the state affected by external threats? pro-active ethnic by external threats? pro-active ethnic communities/diaspora abroad, arms communities/diaspora abroad, arms (Karamojong cluster) e.g (Karamojong cluster) e.g Pokot-Karamojong Pokot-Karamojong (Uganda), Turkana – Toposa (Southern (Uganda), Turkana – Toposa (Southern Sudan), Ethiopian-Kenyan border (rustlers), Sudan), Ethiopian-Kenyan border (rustlers), Kenyan-Somalian border (profileration of Kenyan-Somalian border (profileration of small arms), Lake Victoria waters (Uganda, small arms), Lake Victoria waters (Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya), River Nile (Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya), River Nile (Egypt, Uganda, Kenya - Mau River)Kenya - Mau River)

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Causes of conflict cont’d - 6

• Communication failureCommunication failure – Good – Good government policies or projects do not government policies or projects do not reach at the grassroots well. Information reach at the grassroots well. Information is not dispensed sufficiently to the local is not dispensed sufficiently to the local population or particular identity groups population or particular identity groups or relevant beneficiaries. or relevant beneficiaries. e.g.e.g. current current Tana Delta sugar project and the Tana Delta sugar project and the community; Dominion rice project on community; Dominion rice project on river Yala; Sondu Miriu hydro-electric river Yala; Sondu Miriu hydro-electric power project in Sondu.power project in Sondu.

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Conflict Involves

• EmotionsEmotions: What you feel is important: What you feel is important• PerceptionsPerceptions: What you see at stake.: What you see at stake.• BehaviourBehaviour: How you act with others.: How you act with others.

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Conflict depends on

I.I. InterdependencyInterdependency

II.II. Number of interested partiesNumber of interested parties

III.III. Constituent representationConstituent representation

IV.IV. Negotiator authorityNegotiator authority

V.V. Critical urgencyCritical urgency

VI.VI. Communication channelsCommunication channels

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Levels of conflicts in a society

Conflicts can be described in terms Conflicts can be described in terms of three levels: of three levels:

2.2. Top level, Top level,

3.3. Middle-range, andMiddle-range, and

4.4. Grassroots, Grassroots,

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Top level conflict

• Top level actorsTop level actors are the main political leaders are the main political leaders or military leaders. These leaders are usually or military leaders. These leaders are usually highly publicly visible persons such highly publicly visible persons such President President Kibaki and Raila Odinga,Kibaki and Raila Odinga, and their actions may and their actions may be sharply constrained by political be sharply constrained by political considerations. Their words too can influence considerations. Their words too can influence conflict escalation or de-escalation in a society. conflict escalation or de-escalation in a society. In Sudan, we had Garang and El-Bashir; In In Sudan, we had Garang and El-Bashir; In South Africa, Mandela and De-Clerk; In South Africa, Mandela and De-Clerk; In Zimbabwe – Mugabe and Tsvangarai Zimbabwe – Mugabe and Tsvangarai

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Middle level conflict actors

• Middle-range actorsMiddle-range actors are usually respected are usually respected figures in business, education or religion. figures in business, education or religion. These actors generally have connections to These actors generally have connections to people in both the top and the grassroots people in both the top and the grassroots levels. During Kenyan post- election conflict levels. During Kenyan post- election conflict such leaders included such leaders included Cardinal Njue, Business Cardinal Njue, Business leaders such Manu Chandaria, Wangari leaders such Manu Chandaria, Wangari Maathai, Maina Kiai among othersMaathai, Maina Kiai among others. Middle-. Middle-range range peacebuildingpeacebuilding attempts have focused attempts have focused largely on arranging meetings between the largely on arranging meetings between the opposing sides. opposing sides. Organization such as Organization such as UNICEF, UNHCR, Red-Cross also lie here.UNICEF, UNHCR, Red-Cross also lie here.

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Grassroots level conflict actors

• Grassroots leadersGrassroots leaders in Kenya are primarily in Kenya are primarily devolved structures, opinion leaders at the devolved structures, opinion leaders at the district level and divisional level, traditional district level and divisional level, traditional and tribal authorities such as and tribal authorities such as Laibons Laibons (Maasais), Chumos (Tugen), Ruoth (Council (Maasais), Chumos (Tugen), Ruoth (Council of elders), Omwami (Luhyaof elders), Omwami (Luhya). Relief and ). Relief and development workers also have some development workers also have some grassroots authority. Provincial Administrators grassroots authority. Provincial Administrators are also important grassroot leaders. are also important grassroot leaders. Grassroots actors generally are constrained Grassroots actors generally are constrained by a relative lack of power beyond their tribe by a relative lack of power beyond their tribe or jurisdiction and the immediate need to or jurisdiction and the immediate need to survive. survive.

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Toward Conflict Management

• Covey (1990)Covey (1990) refers to the scarcity refers to the scarcity mentality versus the abundance mentality versus the abundance mentality. The mentality. The scarcity mentalityscarcity mentality leads leads us to resent the success of others. The us to resent the success of others. The abundance mentalityabundance mentality allows us to allows us to think of situations in which everybody think of situations in which everybody can win. Conflict management or can win. Conflict management or transformation should aim at win-win-transformation should aim at win-win-win situation.win situation.

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Conflict Grid – Blake & Mouton

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Conflict Grid – Implementing 9,9

• Avoid perceptions that imply that any of Avoid perceptions that imply that any of the parties is wrong.the parties is wrong.

• Communicate a desire to work together Communicate a desire to work together to explore a problem or seek a solution.to explore a problem or seek a solution.

• Treat each party with respect and trust.Treat each party with respect and trust.• Investigate issues rather than take Investigate issues rather than take

sides.sides.

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What are Grassroots approaches?

• Grassroots approachesGrassroots approaches to peace- to peace-building is an integrated framework in building is an integrated framework in which the which the participation and participation and empowermentempowerment of people within a local of people within a local setting is stressed as the best way to setting is stressed as the best way to identify and handle problem. This identify and handle problem. This process aims to build peace by process aims to build peace by increasing increasing public participation, public participation, empowering local actors and empowering local actors and fostering community ownershipfostering community ownership..

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Aims of Grassroots approaches to peace-building

• To increase local actor sense of To increase local actor sense of ownership to ownership to challenge validity, challenge validity, absoluteness, and accuracy of their absoluteness, and accuracy of their perceptionsperceptions of the other party in of the other party in conflict through conflict through barazas and other barazas and other public foras. public foras. This is because 80% of This is because 80% of the grassroots conflicts are based the grassroots conflicts are based wrongful perception of the other party wrongful perception of the other party in conflict.in conflict.

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Aim of Grassroots approaches to peace-building cont’d -2

• Re-empower communities to make Re-empower communities to make vital decisions and address the needs vital decisions and address the needs of their people e.g. of their people e.g. Locational Locational Development committee, Council of Development committee, Council of EldersElders, ,

• Create an environment more Create an environment more conducive to lasting peace e.g. conducive to lasting peace e.g. community policing program, community policing program, Community Peace Committees.Community Peace Committees.

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Aims of Grassroots approaches to peace-building - 3

• Minimize dependency on external actors Minimize dependency on external actors such as such as UNHCR, SIDA, World Bank, USAID, UNHCR, SIDA, World Bank, USAID, UNDPUNDP..

• Tap into local resources of a community e.g. Tap into local resources of a community e.g. indigenous structures, peaceful cultural indigenous structures, peaceful cultural practices, music, song and art.practices, music, song and art.

• Foster indigenous democratic elements and Foster indigenous democratic elements and conflict resolutions mechanisms i.e. conflict resolutions mechanisms i.e. talking talking until a solution is found.until a solution is found.

• Take seriously the other party needs and Take seriously the other party needs and concerns, feelings and attitudes.concerns, feelings and attitudes.

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Characteristics for Grassroots approaches

• Grassroots approaches should recognize Grassroots approaches should recognize the the dialectic element of conflict.dialectic element of conflict. That conflict is not That conflict is not necessarily bad to the development of a society.necessarily bad to the development of a society.

• Grassroots approaches should be based on the Grassroots approaches should be based on the assumption that assumption that social constructs that lead to social constructs that lead to violent conflict may be deconstructed and re-violent conflict may be deconstructed and re-constructedconstructed so as to offer peaceful alternatives so as to offer peaceful alternatives to resolving conflict. to resolving conflict. “Constructs transformations” “Constructs transformations” such as Kikuyus are greedy to ‘hardworking and such as Kikuyus are greedy to ‘hardworking and enterprising’; Kalenjins are hostile to ‘honest and enterprising’; Kalenjins are hostile to ‘honest and kind’; Luhyas are watchmen to humble and kind’; Luhyas are watchmen to humble and strong; Pokot - militant to ‘cooperative’strong; Pokot - militant to ‘cooperative’

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Characteristics of grassroots approaches - 2

• In many cases what goes on at a local level is In many cases what goes on at a local level is simply microcosm of the larger conflictsimply microcosm of the larger conflict e.g. Kenyan post-election violence between e.g. Kenyan post-election violence between (ODM and PNU) was reflected and replayed (ODM and PNU) was reflected and replayed at the grassroots level. at the grassroots level. ODM supporters were ODM supporters were hacking PNU supporters in Eldoret, Kericho, hacking PNU supporters in Eldoret, Kericho, Bomet, Nakuru, Kakamega, Ravine as PNU Bomet, Nakuru, Kakamega, Ravine as PNU supporters were murdering ODM supporters supporters were murdering ODM supporters in Naivasha, Nakuru, Thika, Kiambu, in Naivasha, Nakuru, Thika, Kiambu, Murang’a.Murang’a.

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Characteristics of Grassroots approaches cont’d - 3

• Any conflict be it at global, regional or Any conflict be it at global, regional or national level always national level always affects grassroots affects grassroots actors particularly female groupactors particularly female group. Post-. Post-election violence in Kenya affected election violence in Kenya affected children, adolescents, particularly girls, children, adolescents, particularly girls, women who are vulnerable through women who are vulnerable through displacement, interrupted loss of family displacement, interrupted loss of family and community connections and rape. and community connections and rape. Girls were recruited as barmaids, house Girls were recruited as barmaids, house helps among other thingshelps among other things..

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Characteristics of grassroots approaches - 4

• Grassroots impact of conflict is played in Grassroots impact of conflict is played in group identity and subjective meaning group identity and subjective meaning such as such as Kalenjin vs Kikuyu, Hutus vs Kalenjin vs Kikuyu, Hutus vs Tutsis, Masaais vs Kipsigis in Trans Tutsis, Masaais vs Kipsigis in Trans mara among many othersmara among many others

• Grassroots approaches must emphasize Grassroots approaches must emphasize set of commonalities shared by group set of commonalities shared by group members, often members, often religion, language, religion, language, nationality, cultural aspects and other nationality, cultural aspects and other socially relevant factorssocially relevant factors..

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Characteristics for grassroots approaches cont’d -5

• The Grassroots population The Grassroots population typically typically experiences the violence and traumaexperiences the violence and trauma associated with war with great immediacy and associated with war with great immediacy and must live in close proximity and must live in close proximity and interdependency with those they regard as interdependency with those they regard as enemies. enemies. For example in recent post-election For example in recent post-election violence – Top protagonist families in Kenya violence – Top protagonist families in Kenya (Raila and Kibaki were not affected by the post-(Raila and Kibaki were not affected by the post-election violence. It is the grassroot population election violence. It is the grassroot population that were killing each other in Kisumu, Nakuru that were killing each other in Kisumu, Nakuru and Naivashaand Naivasha..

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Characteristics for grassroots approaches - 6

• Grassroots leaders witness deep-rooted Grassroots leaders witness deep-rooted hatred every day. hatred every day. For example, the For example, the D.O, the Chiefs, the Assistant chiefs, D.O, the Chiefs, the Assistant chiefs, local religious leaders, Councilors, local religious leaders, Councilors, Youth leaders; Some are even Youth leaders; Some are even murdered like in Mount Elgon (SLDF), murdered like in Mount Elgon (SLDF), Murang’a (Mungiki)Murang’a (Mungiki)

• Grassroots approach should aim to Grassroots approach should aim to build a sense human commonality and build a sense human commonality and empathy of local towards one another.empathy of local towards one another.

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Conditions for effective grassroots approaches in Kenya

• It must draw from It must draw from distinct social and distinct social and cultural resources and traditionscultural resources and traditions of the of the local environment in which it operates e.g local environment in which it operates e.g the age systems, the Pokot commanders, the age systems, the Pokot commanders, the religious valuesthe religious values

• It should be concerned with It should be concerned with restoration restoration of healthy relationshipsof healthy relationships as a as a prerequisite for peaceful interaction prerequisite for peaceful interaction between inter-dependent social between inter-dependent social groupings such as groupings such as inter-marriageinter-marriage

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Conditions for effective grassroots approaches - 2

• Should be characterized Should be characterized by trust-by trust-building between key individualsbuilding between key individuals who who can catalyze or influence their can catalyze or influence their supporters’ behavior. For instance supporters’ behavior. For instance local local leadersleaders

• Grassroots approaches should be key Grassroots approaches should be key enabler of national progress.e.g. enabler of national progress.e.g. the the CDF projects, MDGs, District CDF projects, MDGs, District Development Planning, Vision 2030.Development Planning, Vision 2030.

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Conditions for effective grassroots approaches in Kenya cont’d - 3

• Community based efforts to Community based efforts to address micro-address micro-level conflict must influence broader level conflict must influence broader regionalregional or national dynamics and structures or national dynamics and structures of conflicts. of conflicts. For example, it is presumed that if For example, it is presumed that if Pokots stopped being rustlers, cattle rustling Pokots stopped being rustlers, cattle rustling menace would reduce by 80%menace would reduce by 80%

• Grassroots approaches require development of Grassroots approaches require development of conditions and framework at the national level conditions and framework at the national level that is complementary and conducive to its that is complementary and conducive to its goals and objectives at local level. goals and objectives at local level. E.g. E.g. Vision Vision 20302030 must factor in local level needs, or must factor in local level needs, or conflict sensitive planning and developmentconflict sensitive planning and development

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Key questions to Grassroots approaches

How do grassroots How do grassroots peacebuildingpeacebuilding efforts address and relate to the efforts address and relate to the balance of power held by the local balance of power held by the local actors/local hegemonies?actors/local hegemonies?

How can social and political How can social and political mobilization be stimulated and mobilization be stimulated and sustained in the context of struggles sustained in the context of struggles to cover basic security needs?to cover basic security needs?

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Key questions to Grassroots approaches - 2

How can grassroots How can grassroots peace-buildingpeace-building develop horizontally and vertically to develop horizontally and vertically to extend its impact and enhance its extend its impact and enhance its sustainability?sustainability?

How can national policy contribute How can national policy contribute effectively to the development of effectively to the development of grassroots grassroots peace-buildingpeace-building activities? activities?

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Defining Conflict resolution and Conflict Transformation

"Conflict resolution"Conflict resolution" implies that conflict " implies that conflict is bad--hence something that should be is bad--hence something that should be ended. It also assumes that conflict is a ended. It also assumes that conflict is a short term phenomenon that can be" short term phenomenon that can be" resolved" permanently through resolved" permanently through mediation or other intervention mediation or other intervention processes. processes. For example Koffi Annan led For example Koffi Annan led mediations, Bethwell Kiplagat Somalian mediations, Bethwell Kiplagat Somalian mediation.mediation.

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Def. conflict management"Conflict management""Conflict management" correctly assumes correctly assumes

that conflicts are long term processes that that conflicts are long term processes that often cannot be quickly resolved, but the often cannot be quickly resolved, but the notion of "management" suggests that people notion of "management" suggests that people can be directed or controlled as though they can be directed or controlled as though they were physical objects. The goal is the were physical objects. The goal is the reduction or control of volatility more than reduction or control of volatility more than dealing with the real source of the problem. dealing with the real source of the problem. It It is also structural and institutional like courts, is also structural and institutional like courts, ECK, Truth and Reconciliation Commission, ECK, Truth and Reconciliation Commission, ParliamentParliament..

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Conflict transformation def.Conflict transformationConflict transformation, does not suggest that , does not suggest that

we simply eliminate or control conflict, but we simply eliminate or control conflict, but rather recognize and work with its "dialectic rather recognize and work with its "dialectic nature." By this we means that social conflict nature." By this we means that social conflict is naturally created by humans who are is naturally created by humans who are involved in relationships, yet once it occurs, it involved in relationships, yet once it occurs, it changes (i.e., transforms) those events, changes (i.e., transforms) those events, people, and relationships that created the people, and relationships that created the initial conflict. initial conflict. e.g. From national accord to e.g. From national accord to New constitution, new electoral law, land New constitution, new electoral law, land reforms, ethnical relations act, new media reforms, ethnical relations act, new media regulatory frameworkregulatory framework

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Three lenses of conflict transformation

Conflict transformation provides us with Conflict transformation provides us with three lensesthree lenses through which to make through which to make sense of conflict and help us bring the sense of conflict and help us bring the overall meaning of the conflict into overall meaning of the conflict into sharper focus.sharper focus.

• First we need a lens to see First we need a lens to see the the immediate situationimmediate situation. . E.g. the killing of E.g. the killing of 1, 300 persons, 300,000 IDPs, 1, 300 persons, 300,000 IDPs, destruction of infrastructure, inflationdestruction of infrastructure, inflation

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Three lens of conflict transformation

• Second, we need a lens to see Second, we need a lens to see past past the immediate problems the immediate problems and view the deeper relationship pattern that form the context of the conflict. This goes beyond finding a quick solution and seeks to address deeper levels. In Kenya, issues of land, inequality, negative ethnicity; Cattle rustling – dowry system; Mungiki – radical ideology, youth unemployment

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Three levels of conflict transformation cont’d - 3

3. 3. Third, we need a lens that helps Third, we need a lens that helps us us envision a frameworkenvision a framework that holds that holds these together and creates a platform these together and creates a platform to address the content, the context, to address the content, the context, and the structure of the relationship. and the structure of the relationship. From this platform parties can begin to From this platform parties can begin to find creative responses and solutions. find creative responses and solutions. E.g. National Accord and E.g. National Accord and Reconciliation, Truth and Reconciliation, Truth and Reconciliation, Kriegler commission, Reconciliation, Kriegler commission, Ndung’u land reformsNdung’u land reforms

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Components of conflict transformation - 1

a)a) A willingness to engage in talks to A willingness to engage in talks to produce constructive changes. Raila – produce constructive changes. Raila – Kibaki; Garang - BashirKibaki; Garang - Bashir

b)b) An understanding that conflict is a An understanding that conflict is a natural part of relationship and life natural part of relationship and life gives us conflict.gives us conflict.

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Components of conflict transformation - 2

a)a) An understanding that conflict helps us build An understanding that conflict helps us build constructive change out of energy created constructive change out of energy created by conflict. The key is to move from by conflict. The key is to move from destructive processes toward constructive destructive processes toward constructive process. e.g the Rwanda conflict, S.A process. e.g the Rwanda conflict, S.A apartheid struggleapartheid struggle

b)b) Conflict transformation asks the question, Conflict transformation asks the question, how do we address violence and increase how do we address violence and increase justice in human relationships? Could be justice in human relationships? Could be seen in Comprehensive Peace Agreement seen in Comprehensive Peace Agreement – sharing of oil wealth– sharing of oil wealth

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Components of conflict transformation cont’d - 3

e) e) Conflict transformation views Conflict transformation views peace as peace as centered and rooted in the quality of centered and rooted in the quality of relationship.relationship. This includes both face to face This includes both face to face interactions and the way in which we structure interactions and the way in which we structure our social, political, economic and cultural our social, political, economic and cultural relationships. In these sense, relationships. In these sense, peacepeace is a is a process-structure, dynamic, adaptive and process-structure, dynamic, adaptive and changing. changing. For instance, the relationship For instance, the relationship between Kibaki and Raila is very important in between Kibaki and Raila is very important in the way people relate at the grassrootsthe way people relate at the grassroots

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Components of conflict transformation cont’d - 4

f) f) That we need to develop capacities to That we need to develop capacities to engage in change processes at the engage in change processes at the interpersonal, inter-group and social interpersonal, inter-group and social structure levels. structure levels. Government needs to Government needs to allocate funds for peace building and allocate funds for peace building and conflict training, facilitate community conflict training, facilitate community peace building sessions.peace building sessions.

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Component of conflict transformation cont’d - 5

g) g) That human relationship is at the heart That human relationship is at the heart of conflict transformation and therefore of conflict transformation and therefore developing creative change processes developing creative change processes lies in seeing the less visible aspects of lies in seeing the less visible aspects of relationship. E.g. relationship. E.g. Each ethnic group Each ethnic group must learn to respect other ethnic group must learn to respect other ethnic group without judgment and prejudiceswithout judgment and prejudices

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Four Modes in which conflict transformation impact situations

• PersonalPersonal: Minimize destructive effects of : Minimize destructive effects of social conflict and maximize the potential for social conflict and maximize the potential for personal growth at physical level. e.g personal growth at physical level. e.g children going to school; adults engaging in children going to school; adults engaging in human development enterpriseshuman development enterprises

• Relational:Relational: Minimize poorly functioning Minimize poorly functioning communication and maximize communication and maximize understanding. E.g. understanding. E.g. relationship networks relationship networks such as marriage, mixed schooling, joint such as marriage, mixed schooling, joint investmentsinvestments

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Four modes in which conflict transformation impact situations cont’d

• Structural:Structural: Understand and address root Understand and address root causes of violent conflict, promote nonviolent causes of violent conflict, promote nonviolent mechanisms that minimize violence and foster mechanisms that minimize violence and foster structures that meet basic needs and maximize structures that meet basic needs and maximize public participation. e.g land reforms, new public participation. e.g land reforms, new constitutional frameworkconstitutional framework

• Cultural:Cultural: Identify and understand the cultural Identify and understand the cultural patterns that contribute to the rise of violent patterns that contribute to the rise of violent expression of conflict (dowry among Pokot); expression of conflict (dowry among Pokot); identify cultural resources for constructively identify cultural resources for constructively handling conflict. (Ruoth – council of elders)handling conflict. (Ruoth – council of elders)

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Resolution and Transformation

It is relationship -centred

It is content-centered

The focus

How to end something destructive and build something desired

How do we end something not desired

The key Question

Conflict Transformation perspective

Conflict Resolution perspective

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Comparison of Resolution and Transformation

The horizon is mid to long range

The horizon is short-term

Timeframe

Concerned with responding to symptoms and engaging systems within relationship.

It is embedded around immediacy of the problem and relationship

The development of the process

To promote constructive change processes, not limited to immediate solution

To achieve an agreement to the present crisis

The purpose

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Grassroots Practices for Transformational Strategies

• Practice 1:Practice 1: Develop a capacity to see Develop a capacity to see presenting issues as a Windowpresenting issues as a Window – This is – This is the capacity to see immediate situation the capacity to see immediate situation while focusing our attention on what lies while focusing our attention on what lies beyond, to discover relational context and beyond, to discover relational context and the underlying causes. the underlying causes. Together with your Together with your District Security Intelligence Committee or District Security Intelligence Committee or Divisional Security Intelligence be able to Divisional Security Intelligence be able to carry out a conflict mapping and analysis carry out a conflict mapping and analysis framework in a broader contextframework in a broader context..

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Grassroots Practices for Transformational Strategies cont’d

2. 2. Practice 2:Practice 2: Develop a capacity to integrate Develop a capacity to integrate multiple timeframes.multiple timeframes. The key is the ability to The key is the ability to recognize the needs of multiple timeframes recognize the needs of multiple timeframes and create strategies that integrate short-term and create strategies that integrate short-term response with long-term change. e.g response with long-term change. e.g Formation of Peace committees at the every Formation of Peace committees at the every jurisdiction for short-term, but at the same jurisdiction for short-term, but at the same time a committee that addresses the time a committee that addresses the underlying causes through a development underlying causes through a development program in the long-term.program in the long-term.

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Grassroots Practices for Transformational Strategies cont’d -3

• Practice 3: Develop a capacity to pose Practice 3: Develop a capacity to pose the energies of conflict as a dilemma.the energies of conflict as a dilemma. Posing conflict as dilemmas involves Posing conflict as dilemmas involves shifting from an either/or frame of reference shifting from an either/or frame of reference to a both/and frame of reference. E.g. to a both/and frame of reference. E.g. Either Either ODM youths are granted amnesty or ODM youths are granted amnesty or prosecuted. prosecuted. NO!NO! But we could reframe this But we could reframe this conflict dilemma as conflict dilemma as “How can we address “How can we address the issue of justice while at the same the issue of justice while at the same time achieve reconciliation of youth?”time achieve reconciliation of youth?”

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Grassroots Practices for Transformational Strategies cont’d

• Practice 4: Develop a capacity to see Practice 4: Develop a capacity to see conflict as complexity not as simplicityconflict as complexity not as simplicity. . In conflict, especially when there has been In conflict, especially when there has been a long history of patterns and episodes that a long history of patterns and episodes that were not constructively addressed, people were not constructively addressed, people feel overwhelmed. feel overwhelmed. For example the Kenyan For example the Kenyan post-election violence was not just about post-election violence was not just about ‘rigged’ election but something more even ‘rigged’ election but something more even at grassroots. In order to constructively deal at grassroots. In order to constructively deal with conflict we must recognize it complexity with conflict we must recognize it complexity so as to bring desired change.so as to bring desired change.

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Grassroots Practices for Transformational Strategies cont’d -5

• Practice 5: Develop a capacity to hear and Practice 5: Develop a capacity to hear and engage the voice of identity. engage the voice of identity. This involves an This involves an ability to recognize and then develop response ability to recognize and then develop response processes that engage the deeper core of the processes that engage the deeper core of the conflict. Two central root cause of social conflict are conflict. Two central root cause of social conflict are identity and relationship. A central challenge for identity and relationship. A central challenge for transformation is how to create spaces and transformation is how to create spaces and processes that challenge perceptions and processes that challenge perceptions and encourage people to address and articulate positive encourage people to address and articulate positive sense of identity in relationship to other but not in sense of identity in relationship to other but not in reaction e.g Sports, Arts, Music, Development reaction e.g Sports, Arts, Music, Development committees.committees.

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Strategic Grassroots Activities for Conflict Transformation

• Conduct conflict mapping and analysisConduct conflict mapping and analysis or peace impact assessment: Explore the or peace impact assessment: Explore the immediate cause and underlying causes of immediate cause and underlying causes of conflict in your area. e.g. conflict in your area. e.g. what kinds of what kinds of conflict exist in your areaconflict exist in your area

• Develop a conflict transformation Develop a conflict transformation strategy or implementation plan:strategy or implementation plan: That That integrates trauma healing, coexistence integrates trauma healing, coexistence program in the short-term and long-term. program in the short-term and long-term. It It should be done together with Divisional should be done together with Divisional peace-building committeepeace-building committee

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Strategic Grassroots Activities for Conflict Transformation cont’d - 2

• Stakeholders mobilizationStakeholders mobilization: Arrange a : Arrange a meeting of stakeholders to come up with meeting of stakeholders to come up with transformation process ideas and solutions. transformation process ideas and solutions. These will include – GoK departments, These will include – GoK departments, NGOs, CBOs, FBOs etc What can they NGOs, CBOs, FBOs etc What can they provide? what can they do?provide? what can they do?

• Mobilize local leaders for peace-building Mobilize local leaders for peace-building (church leaders, youth leaders, women (church leaders, youth leaders, women leaders)leaders): : Encourage them to motivate Encourage them to motivate people under their influence for peace and people under their influence for peace and dialogue as strategies are sought to dialogue as strategies are sought to address their plightaddress their plight..

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• Call in neutral facilitatorCall in neutral facilitator: In case of lack of : In case of lack of trust in Government, call in a neutral trust in Government, call in a neutral facilitator perhaps from a FBOs or NGOs to facilitator perhaps from a FBOs or NGOs to guide local peace initiatives. The meetings guide local peace initiatives. The meetings must be structured to meet the needs of must be structured to meet the needs of communities characterized by levels of communities characterized by levels of interdependence with regard to territory, interdependence with regard to territory, natural resources and or may be trading natural resources and or may be trading venues. Let the community come up with venues. Let the community come up with commonly acceptable solutioncommonly acceptable solution to each to each other.other.

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Strategic Grassroots Activities for Conflict Transformation - 4

• Involve grassroots leaders in Involve grassroots leaders in important decision making for the important decision making for the community: community: This leaders include This leaders include traditional leaders, religious leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, civil society, women groups leaders, civil society, women groups leaders, youth group leader, local politician, youth group leader, local politician, government officials to ensure that government officials to ensure that sufficient space and relevance is given sufficient space and relevance is given to the community to address their to the community to address their problems.problems.

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• Sensitize and train government Sensitize and train government departments and grassroots departments and grassroots administrators on importance of administrators on importance of mainstreaming coexistence programsmainstreaming coexistence programs. . This department include agricultural This department include agricultural extension, social service, constituency extension, social service, constituency development fund committee, youth fund, development fund committee, youth fund, women enterprise fund. This is aimed at women enterprise fund. This is aimed at addressing the relational aspects at the addressing the relational aspects at the same time sustainable development.same time sustainable development.

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• Organize peace sports and recreation Organize peace sports and recreation activitiesactivities: Organize sports aimed at : Organize sports aimed at achieving peace. Football, Althelics (Tegla achieving peace. Football, Althelics (Tegla Lorupe peace run), Volleyball, bringing Lorupe peace run), Volleyball, bringing together different ethnic communities in the together different ethnic communities in the region so as to encourage team building, region so as to encourage team building, communication and positive ethnic identities communication and positive ethnic identities and group cultural rights. Sport can reach a and group cultural rights. Sport can reach a large group of people within the targeted large group of people within the targeted population and is strongly motivating and population and is strongly motivating and stimulating to children to be ambassadors for stimulating to children to be ambassadors for peace.peace.

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Strategic Grassroots Activities for Conflict Transformation

• Organize youth peace initiatives camps:Organize youth peace initiatives camps: This could be done through peace This could be done through peace leadership camps, inter-ethnic or inter-leadership camps, inter-ethnic or inter-group exchange programs, inter-group group exchange programs, inter-group mixing initiatives linking youth groups mixing initiatives linking youth groups across group divides. Such initiatives aim to across group divides. Such initiatives aim to foster and support partnership between foster and support partnership between youth organization across ethnic divide to youth organization across ethnic divide to foster greater sense of commonality. The foster greater sense of commonality. The variety of modes of learning is as significant variety of modes of learning is as significant as the number of different approaches: as the number of different approaches: theatre, sport, camps etctheatre, sport, camps etc

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• Organize seminars for religious leader:Organize seminars for religious leader: They are critical and very important. Train They are critical and very important. Train local church leaders, (sheikhs) mosque and local church leaders, (sheikhs) mosque and traditional spiritual leaders on key concepts traditional spiritual leaders on key concepts of coexistence and to de-construct the of coexistence and to de-construct the mentality of war or historical enmity of their mentality of war or historical enmity of their ancestors. Ask them to contribute positively ancestors. Ask them to contribute positively to their communities and cooperative to their communities and cooperative approaches to inter-group relations.approaches to inter-group relations.

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Strategic Grassroots Activities for Conflict Transformation cont’d -10

• Remembering, Reconciling and Remembering, Reconciling and Reconstructing (Local Truth and Reconstructing (Local Truth and Reconciliation sessions in Baraza). BReconciliation sessions in Baraza). By y creating, recording and empowering the creating, recording and empowering the expression of memory, organizing session expression of memory, organizing session when locals can tell stories, sing, undertake when locals can tell stories, sing, undertake the work of making and crafting a common the work of making and crafting a common feature. It seeks to promote recollection, feature. It seeks to promote recollection, affirmation of memories with a conciliatory affirmation of memories with a conciliatory dialogue between victims and perpetrators.dialogue between victims and perpetrators.

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• Organizing peace art exhibitions:Organizing peace art exhibitions: Promote local art exhibitions that residents Promote local art exhibitions that residents can appreciate diversified cultural artifacts can appreciate diversified cultural artifacts and share memories expressed in folktales, and share memories expressed in folktales, stories and songs. This could be done in stories and songs. This could be done in collaboration with the Churches, Schools or collaboration with the Churches, Schools or other such groupsother such groups

• Involving locals in community policing:Involving locals in community policing: Community policing program if successfully Community policing program if successfully implemented can go a long way to solving implemented can go a long way to solving community differences or act as an early community differences or act as an early warning system before conflict escalation.warning system before conflict escalation.

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Strategic Grassroots Activities for Conflict Transformation - 12

• Education for ReconciliationEducation for Reconciliation: If : If educational initiatives are to have a positive educational initiatives are to have a positive peace building impact, then they must seek peace building impact, then they must seek to deconstruct structure of violence and to deconstruct structure of violence and construct peace structures. construct peace structures. The The administrator need to talk to teachers and, administrator need to talk to teachers and, children as peace builders so that the social children as peace builders so that the social constructs that lead to violent conflict may constructs that lead to violent conflict may be deconstructed to offer alternatives to be deconstructed to offer alternatives to resolving conflicts. E.g peace conflict resolving conflicts. E.g peace conflict subject in the syllabussubject in the syllabus

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• Involving local actors in development Involving local actors in development projects such as CDF, water, roads etc.projects such as CDF, water, roads etc. This could be done through community This could be done through community needs assessment barazas, project needs assessment barazas, project planning, project design and project planning, project design and project evaluation. The goal is to promote evaluation. The goal is to promote structures that increase the level of structures that increase the level of community participation in planning , community participation in planning , managing, and supervising both managing, and supervising both peacebuilding and development project.peacebuilding and development project.

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• Organizing community leaders’ Organizing community leaders’ workshop:workshop: So as create dialogue between So as create dialogue between GoK, community, other donors, service GoK, community, other donors, service providers, and ensure full cooperation providers, and ensure full cooperation between all stakeholder. between all stakeholder. Those participating Those participating may include local authorities, may include local authorities, representatives from community structures representatives from community structures and institutions, leaders of women groups, and institutions, leaders of women groups, religious leaders, relevant professional and religious leaders, relevant professional and representatives from humanitarian agenciesrepresentatives from humanitarian agencies

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Strategic Grassroots Activities for Conflict Transformation cont’d

• Focusing on promoting activities that Focusing on promoting activities that generate income yet are co-owned by generate income yet are co-owned by persons from different ethnic groupspersons from different ethnic groups: : According to UNHCR, this is the most According to UNHCR, this is the most powerful tool to bring people together after powerful tool to bring people together after destruction and crisis because destruction and crisis because jobs/livelihoods are most urgent needs of jobs/livelihoods are most urgent needs of the people in post-conflict. the people in post-conflict. What better way What better way to bring people together than to create to bring people together than to create income-generating activities that employ income-generating activities that employ people from all identity groups in people from all identity groups in communitiescommunities

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• Identify and promote traditional Identify and promote traditional practices that promote peace:practices that promote peace: Joint Joint cultural festival, Intermarriages cultural festival, Intermarriages between communities, Bull-fighting in between communities, Bull-fighting in KakamegaKakamega..

• Disarmament, Demobilization of Disarmament, Demobilization of armed youthsarmed youths – Work together with – Work together with National Government towards National Government towards disarmament of youths or fighters and disarmament of youths or fighters and small arms prevention and control..small arms prevention and control..

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• Ensuring the rule of law and impartiality Ensuring the rule of law and impartiality of officers at the grassroots level:of officers at the grassroots level: We We should make sure that the rule of law stands should make sure that the rule of law stands and that officers in charge do not take side.and that officers in charge do not take side.

• Encourage tolerance and respect of civil Encourage tolerance and respect of civil and political freedoms:and political freedoms: Such as freedom Such as freedom of speech, protests, right to assembly, free of speech, protests, right to assembly, free and fair electionand fair election

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• Ensure that the media especially radio Ensure that the media especially radio stations are professional and independent stations are professional and independent from partisan agenda, or political and from partisan agenda, or political and private interests.private interests. And have the capacity to And have the capacity to reflect the views of all social groups. In case reflect the views of all social groups. In case of breach report to Media Council of Kenya or of breach report to Media Council of Kenya or Ministry of Information for action.Ministry of Information for action.

• Establish reconciliation mechanisms from Establish reconciliation mechanisms from sub-locational levelsub-locational level to the Divisional levels to the Divisional levels inclusive of wisemen, elders or ombudmen.inclusive of wisemen, elders or ombudmen.

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24.24. Sustainable management of Sustainable management of natural resources at the grassroots:natural resources at the grassroots: Ensure that potential sparks of conflicts Ensure that potential sparks of conflicts are well managed. For example, are well managed. For example, establishing management committee for establishing management committee for grazing lands, water points, rangeland grazing lands, water points, rangeland management, land issues and management, land issues and sensitizing people on threatening sensitizing people on threatening traditional ways of life such as cattle traditional ways of life such as cattle rustling. rustling.

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25.25. Tackling social inequalities at the Tackling social inequalities at the grassroots:grassroots: Ensuring that the poverty or Ensuring that the poverty or marginalization of the least-favoured marginalization of the least-favoured segments of the society are addressed segments of the society are addressed especially through allocation of decentralized especially through allocation of decentralized funds (CDF, LATF, Youth Fund, Women funds (CDF, LATF, Youth Fund, Women Fund, Kenya Road Funds, Social capacity Fund, Kenya Road Funds, Social capacity fund, NGOs). Fairness in government jobs fund, NGOs). Fairness in government jobs allocation, economic opportunities for allocation, economic opportunities for minorities, contributing to public reform minorities, contributing to public reform policies - land reforms, quota systems, social policies - land reforms, quota systems, social programmes, redistributive policies programmes, redistributive policies e.g. Narok e.g. Narok County Council – Tourism proceedsCounty Council – Tourism proceeds

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Strategic Grassroots Activities for Conflict Transformation cont’d

26.26. Commitment to addressing Commitment to addressing Geopolitical situation particularly at the Geopolitical situation particularly at the borderlineborderline: Cooperating with officials from : Cooperating with officials from neighboring countries to address issues that neighboring countries to address issues that are transnational. are transnational. For example, Lake Victoria For example, Lake Victoria waters, River Nile Basin initiative, Cattle waters, River Nile Basin initiative, Cattle rustling in North Rift Kenya, small arms rustling in North Rift Kenya, small arms menace among Karamojong clusters, or menace among Karamojong clusters, or Northern Kenya Somalia, sea piracy in Indian Northern Kenya Somalia, sea piracy in Indian ocean, cross border rebel groupsocean, cross border rebel groups..

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QUESTIONS

HOWCOULD WE HAVE HOWCOULD WE HAVE ADDRESSED THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSED THE FOLLOWING

CONFLICT CHALLENGES IN CONFLICT CHALLENGES IN KENYA USING GRASSROOT KENYA USING GRASSROOT

?APPROACHES?APPROACHES

2.2. MUNGIKI MENACE?MUNGIKI MENACE?3.3. SABAOT LAND DEFENCE FORCE?SABAOT LAND DEFENCE FORCE?4.4. POKOT CATTLE RUSTLING?POKOT CATTLE RUSTLING?

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Conclusion - 1

• Grassroots process design Grassroots process design aims to increase aims to increase local actors’ sense of ownershiplocal actors’ sense of ownership in a in a conflict intervention process, empower local conflict intervention process, empower local communities and create an environment more communities and create an environment more condusive to lasting peace.condusive to lasting peace.

• The grassroots approaches are also The grassroots approaches are also peace-peace-building process that create new political building process that create new political subjects, both individuals and groups,subjects, both individuals and groups, who who are capable of breaking through war are capable of breaking through war conditionality to create their own vision of the conditionality to create their own vision of the future.future.

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Conclusions - 2• If well conceived and implemented, grassroot If well conceived and implemented, grassroot

approach could approach could have impact well beyond have impact well beyond their immediate environmenttheir immediate environment and contribute and contribute to change on a national scale.to change on a national scale.

• Grassroots strategies are intended to be Grassroots strategies are intended to be attuned to the attuned to the local conflict dynamics, local conflict dynamics, working with them, engaging those working with them, engaging those involved in them, rather than enter into a involved in them, rather than enter into a head-on confrontationhead-on confrontation with armed actors. with armed actors.

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Conclusion - 3• Grassroots approaches also Grassroots approaches also

demonstrate the demonstrate the importance of importance of collaborative approaches to collaborative approaches to peacebuildingpeacebuilding both at national, local both at national, local and foreign non-state actors.and foreign non-state actors.

• Grassroots approaches is a Grassroots approaches is a good good example of bottom up national example of bottom up national peacebuilding approachespeacebuilding approaches that are of that are of importance at the lowest level.importance at the lowest level.

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Conclusions - 4

• Lastly Lastly Grassroots approaches to Grassroots approaches to conflict transformation means conflict transformation means replacing patterns of violence and replacing patterns of violence and coercion with respect, creative coercion with respect, creative problem solving, increased dialogueproblem solving, increased dialogue and non-violent mechanism of social and non-violent mechanism of social change. To accomplish this, a complex change. To accomplish this, a complex web of change processes under-girded web of change processes under-girded by a transformational understanding of by a transformational understanding of life and relationship is needed.life and relationship is needed.

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Thanks

“ “ Conflict happens for a reason. Its expression Conflict happens for a reason. Its expression must be non-violent. Our understanding must be non-violent. Our understanding

perpetual. Without ‘conflict’, there can be no perpetual. Without ‘conflict’, there can be no development. We should therefore transform development. We should therefore transform

it for better life at all levels of society”it for better life at all levels of society”

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