NON-VIOLENT CONFLICT RESOLUTION

A conflict is a serious disagreement between people or groups of people. Any situation in which
there is a possibility of there being a disagreement, is a situation that may lead to conflict.

Situations that may lead to conflict

a. Physical and emotional abuse

Conflict may arise as the person being abused confronts the abuser to demand an end to the
abuse.

b. Effects of drug and substance abuse

When people abuse drugs and other substances, they lose their self-control and inhibitions. In
such a state they engage in behavior that may provoke other people into violence. Such people
are also quite unreasonable and therefore, a small disagreement can escalate into a major
conflict.

c. Violation of human rights

When your rights are violated by another person you are likely to confront the person. This may
lead to conflict.

d. Discrimination

This involves mistreating a person based on characteristics such as race, ethnic group or religion.
When you are discriminated you are likely to feel angry and belittled. You may then confront the
person who has discriminated against you.

e. Inequality in distribution of resources

When there is unequal distribution of resources, those who are given a smaller share may feel
cheated, angry and frustrated. They may end up demanding more from the person from the
person responsible for the distribution.

f. Different political inclination

A country may have different political parties, each with its own policies, ideologies and leaders.
Where this is the case, members and leaders of one party may insult and try to intimidate
members of another party or try to force members of another party to support their party.

g. Negative ethnicity

It is the belief that one’s culture and ethnic group is superior to others. Someone holding such an
opinion may insult, demean, mistreat, harass and frustrate those from different ethnic group.
 h. Strained resources

When resources such as food, water and space are inadequate, people may find it difficult to
agree on how to equitably share out the resources. This inadequacy may also lead to unhealthy
competition resulting in practices such as scrambling and hoarding as people try to get a share of
the resources.

i. Breakdown of communication

Where there is breakdown of communication, people misunderstand each other. They also form
misinformed opinions about other people or a given issue. People may then take actions that are
offensive, annoying or harmful towards other people, thereby leading to conflict.

j. Socio-cultural prejudices/ biases

These are generalized opinions that are held against a given social group. E.g. belief that women
are weaker thus cannot be given certain jobs. These prejudices can be annoying to those who are
used against. Those negatively affected may confront the people who hold these prejudices.

Effects of unresolved conflicts

Unresolved conflicts have several consequences.

i. Strained relationships

People who have unresolved conflicts cannot relate to each other as they used to. They avoid
talking to each other or even interacting with each other in any way.

ii. Physical confrontation

When a conflict remains unresolved, those involved get impatient about having their differences
resolved. They may also grow angry and frustrated. When this happens, they may confront each
other physically.

iii. Disruption of social order

When people are involved in a conflict, they easily disregard the set rules and regulations and
social norms. They may then engage in socially disruptive behavior such as riots, fights or
demonstrations, thereby breaking the order that exists in the society.

iv. Physical injuries and psychological trauma

Sometimes unresolved conflicts may degenerate into violence. During such violence, people may
lose their loved ones and property. These, combined with severe physical injuries such as loss of
limbs, may be mentally disturbing to those affected.
 v. Displacement of people

Hostility, violence, mistrust and discrimination due to unresolved conflict may force people to
leave their homes, making them homeless or forcing them to settle in other areas. Some people
end up settling within their country as internally displaced persons or in neighbouring country as
refugees.

vi. Destruction of property

Where conflict remains unresolved, those involved may destroy each other’s property out of
anger or malice. They may also destroy property as a way of calling for the attention of others to
come and help them resolve the conflict.

vii. Loss of life

Unresolved conflicts may lead to violence in which people may lose their lives.

viii. Socio- political instability

Where conflicts are unresolved, the social groups involved mistrust each other and may refuse to
interact. In case these groups are interdependent, then the society will become unstable as
resources that were previously available due to interaction become scarce.

ix. Fear and insecurity

When people are involved in conflict, they are fearful and suspicious of each other and do not
feel safe in the presence of each other. There may also be attacks on each other leading to
insecurity in the area.

x. Reduced involvement in economic activities

Uncertainty and insecurity that results from unresolved conflicts discourage people from
carrying out business activities. They are afraid that their commodities and premises may be
destroyed

Ways of avoiding conflict

Conflicts have numerous negative consequences. We can avoid conflict by avoiding situations
that lead to conflict.

i. Respecting and upholding human rights

In this way we are able to avoid conflicts that may be started by violation of individual’s human
rights.

ii. Equal distribution of resources

iii. Upholding and respecting democracy

In a democracy, the thoughts and opinions of all those concerned are taken into consideration.
The decision of the majority is then upheld.

iv. Appreciation of socio-cultural diversity

By accepting and appreciating the differences we have in how we behave and in our beliefs and
practices we:

 Avoid trying to force others to be like us.

Empathy allows us to avoid conflict in two ways:

 It helps us understand why a person does things in a certain way, and therefore avoid
judging the person or unnecessarily taking offence.
 It is almost impossible to get into conflict with anyone who has shown you empathy
before.
vi. Promotion of social dialogue

Social dialogue refers to discussions in which individuals and groups, exchange ideas on social
issues. They do this in order to agree on how to conduct various social activities and resolve any
disagreements.

vii. Promotion of national unity and patriotism through education

We people from various places, cultures and backgrounds in schools. At the same time
importance of unity is taught in schools.

viii. Promotion of living values

Living values provide basis for treating other people properly. Values such a love, honesty,
respect and integrity help to ensure that people live in harmony with each other.

ix. Promotion of peace education citizenship

Peace education involves teaching people about the importance of peace, and ways of ensuring
that peace prevails among them. When people have this knowledge, they are able to resolve any
differences they have without having them escalate into conflicts.

Citizenship means being responsible for fellow citizens and for the good of the country.
Methods of non-violent conflict resolution

Where it is not possible to avoid conflict, we should try and resolve them without violence.
There are several methods we can use to do this.

i. Adjudication

This is a legal way of solving disputes. A third party such as a judge or an arbiter, listens to the
views of both sides and makes a judgment that brings an end to the conflict. The parties involved
do not have much choice over who listens to their case.

ii. Arbitration

In this method, the parties in conflict agree on a third party who listens to each side and then
makes a decision. Both parties must agree on the third party before conflict resolution can
proceed. The two parties must also agree to participate in the process and abide by the verdict of
the arbitrator.

iii. Mediation

This is a process in which the parties in conflict involve a third person, whom they both consider
impartial, to help them reach an agreement. The third party only facilitates the discussions
between the two parties. He does this among other things:

 Bringing the parties together in a face-to-face discussion.

This is the process through which the parties in conflict hold discussions in order to come to an
agreement. It involves making the offers and compromises by both parties until a common
agreement is reached.

v. Resolution

In this case, discussions are held to establish the cause of the conflict. The parties involved
then agree on a specific course of action, which is called a resolution.

vi. Reconciliation

This method places emphasis on establishing or re-establishing good relations between those
who are in conflict. This is done by encouraging confessions by violators and forgiveness by
victims. This method is the basis for formation of truth and reconciliation commissions.
 vii. Transformation

This method, often referred to as conflict transformation, involves changing various aspects of
society in order to solve conflict and prevent such conflict from recurring. It involves going
deeper into the root of the conflict and carrying out radical changes, transforming the
relationships that led to the occurrence of the conflict in the first place.

Living values that promote non-violent conflict resolution

a. Respect

It ensures parties involved listen to each other and take each other seriously. They are therefore
able to make compromises and offers which will lead to a peaceful conflict resolution.

b. Honesty

A person who holds this value is trustworthy because he does not lie. Without trust, the parties
would be suspicious of each other and this would make it impossible to resolve the conflict.

c. Love

It allows us to be forgiving and caring towards one another. Therefore, a person with this value is
likely to avoid resolving conflicts through violence.

d. Unity

Violence causes strains in relationships, and may lead to breakdown of relationships. Unity
ensures we avoid violence.

e. Cooperation

If we try to impose solutions on those we are in conflict with, they may react with violence. But
when we work together we are able to come up with solutions acceptable to both parties.

f. Integrity

In this case, parties involved will not, intentionally or by influence of others take advantage of
the other. Where a third party is involved, he will be fair to both parties.