The Manner we can Rapidly Resolve Conflicts

The manner we can rapidly resolve conflict, ensure democratic governance and livelihoods enhancement, erase HRV (Human Rights Violations), ensure resurgence of values and sustained peace, in post conflict and multi-tribal communities.

By Sunimal Alles-On behalf of honest, neutral and concerned people
September 3, 2007

The research we carried out indicates that there are only 1% totally honest and sincere people in the world who strive to maintain truth and Justice. This article is to make them aware of the atrocities that prevent people from having peace and a message to awaken them to realize that it is their responsibility to increase the % of honest people in the world and make it a peaceful place.
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After having worked with communities, refugees and IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) in conflict, transition and post conflict zones for around 20 years, we learned that there are “Short Cuts” to RRN (Rapidly Return communities to Normalcy). However, we found that those lessons are not taken into consideration, and “new ideas” are being presented and “wheels reinvested” to nurture the EGOs of amateurs and the newly graduated, sustain jobs and “maintain the presence” of many organizations. We have been challenged by many former supervisors and colleagues, when we present sustainable solutions based on community initiated actions to resolve/prevent conflict, establish locally governed groups and ensure continued access to resources in order that their livelihoods are secured by identifying and polishing/refining their Natural Talents (Thought Patterns, Will/Drive and inborn Skills). Some of the statements that superiors and colleagues brought forward were 1) “If they do everything, then what we to do” 2) “So you have a good idea from your past experiences, we do it and close the project before time”, 3) “If the refugees return and there is peace, we will need to look for other work” 4) “What do you mean the community has the solutions, they are illiterate, we have to be here for them and guide them”. 5) “I have a masters degree, how can others know more than me”. 6) “If those we assist do not need our assistance, we will be out of work”. 7) “The refugees do not know what they do, let them do what they like, they will need us again”. When a community decided to charge interest of 10% to the matching grants we were to provide for enhancing economic activities, in order that they grow their funds, we were insulted 8) “NO, the community could not have suggested to charge interest for loans, YOU suggested it”. 9) “Our organization does not permit our money to be used as loans and charge interest, even if we do not manage the funds”. 10) “We cannot implement this program, it will make communities strong and sustainable and they will not need us anymore, we will have to close our offices as the government and our “donors” will not fund our programs anymore”. Once a group of supervisors even sabotaged a project by delaying the process 11) “We have to delay providing grants to people even if they need them, as we are not ready with the paperwork, and we would also like the other regions to get on board, and be at the same level”. We once heard a group of Humanitarian Workers discussing their future in a restaurant 12) “my contract ends next month, if there is no displacement or an ‘event’ quickly, I will have to leave, however, if there is fighting again, my contract will be extended”. Delays due to needing to nurture ego were manifested when a development worker said. 13) “You have to wait until MY program that psychoanalyzes and counsels child soldiers is in place until you start your program to interview them and give grants to entrepreneurs to establish businesses”

Some comments from returnees in countries such as Liberia shocked us during facilitation sessions. 1) “Why do organizations continue to want to feed and clothe us, when there are dignified solutions such as access to loans and BDS 9Business Development Services) so that we can re-start our businesses and our lives”. When I asked why many communities do not ignore the presence of “Hand Outers” and engage themselves to re-start their lives, the returnees said, 2) “ Hunger should hit us to become motivated to invest our resources, if there are IDP/refugee camps that are still open, and we are mothered and fathered, most of us will be enticed to continue to live on handouts”. 3) “We were living in a certain degree of harmony, but heard that our tribes were being attacked, so we retaliated and destroyed our own country”. When investigated they found that the underlying causes of conflict were different and engineered to benefit individuals and organizations.

We have many more statements that prove that those who gain benefits/profits or need to assure their job security are nurturing prolonged conflict. In certain areas such as Eastern DR Congo, it has been proved that illegal mining operations fuel tribal and ethnic wars, but the underlying reasons are that the war is a cover for leaders, and other persons and organizations to have ADI (Additional Disposable Incomes) ensure that their shareholders are content and fatten their bank accounts. Repeated appeals by concerned citizens to not purchase diamonds and gold coming from conflict zones keep falling on deaf years. We researched the possibility of working with the CSR (Cooperate Social Responsibility) units of the legally established mining companies, to expand and set up additional ACBL (Advisory Centres for Better Living) in EDR Congo, and contacted them with proposals, however we have not received any replies as yet.

It must be understood that populations affected by fighting forces and those that have seen their children go to war for generations, need to challenge themselves and visualize the alternative paths before they are motivated to invest their resources to RRN. We have evidence that combatants and child soldiers can be rapidly enticed to RRN. Many children and families grew up in conflict zones and their very nature changed from the “Normal” to that of retaliation and vengeance. Many children who were born in conflict zones and had their rights violated are today the “freedom fighters” who have taken firearms to seek solutions as they saw their parents or friends being killed. Others join the regular army or militant groups as they do not see any avenue of income to feed themselves. They pillage their own communities and families and are prevented from returning to their own homes as they feel guilty and are compelled to live in exile and aggress populations to continue living. If we wish that conflicts are resolved rapidly and HRV is a thing of the past, we need to expose everyone “in and around” conflict to the alternatives within a “framework of peace” and initiate them on processes that will ensure that their security will be assured (Even soldiers and militants), and strengthen their capacity to invest their human and material resources and RRN rapidly.

Working with communities in post conflict over the years, we realized that if we do not put in place systems to rapidly change the thinking of affected persons, we would continue to have populations in conflict and millions of innocent people suffer for generations. We developed a process and started putting in place, advisory centres in Goma and Bukavu in eastern DRC to offer a package of services. Later, other centres were established by CCC (Concerned citizens committees) in North Katanga province and were able to even challenge Mai Mai forces to release child soldiers and also establish early warning systems to prevent conflict. The process is simple and engages local communities from the inception. The rationale here is that the people who are the most affected are the communities that are living in poverty, destitution, insecure and conflict zones. Why should they not wish to put all their efforts to make their communities secure, safe and prosperous? We found that it was because they have not been given the opportunity to visualize the alternatives and outcomes or have been prevented from doing so by persons and organizations in the front line that are unwilling to “Work Themselves Out of Jobs”. They must realize that they are guilty and could be branded as “Criminals” if they do not take initiatives to transcend populations to RRN and continue to keep them in destitution to secure their jobs. They should be sensitized to realize that there are many areas in the world where their services will be valued if they have achieved rapid results and are able to show impact. Therefore we challenge humanitarian workers in the front line, their organizations, mining companies and governments that are HONEST and wish to seek lasting solutions for populations living in conflict zones to follow the process outlined below and have 100% results and impact within six months.

- Dialogue with neglected and fragmented communities in remote, conflict or post conflict areas to gather all citizens.
- Also invite the militants in the area to dialogue a proposal that will benefit everyone
- Have a meeting and establish CCC (Concerned Citizens Committees) with Honest, Neutral and guide them (If necessary- normally not needed) to democratically elect office bearers.
- Establish sub-committees for the different unmet needs including one to set up a conflict resolution unit and early warning system to prevent future conflict. (Some militants in the area could be invited to be members of this sub-committee and take responsibility)
- Have a program to carry out psychosocial and trauma counseling to recover the imbalanced (Human beings need their Emotional, Spiritual, Mental and Physical aspects in life to be in balance in order to function efficiently and in an un-biased manner)
- Establish a center for better living (ACBL) where the following services will be provided
- Identification of Natural Talents (Thought Patterns, Will/Drive and Skills)
- Refining thoughts/will to be sociable and non-violent and polishing skills to be marketable by sensitizing them to realize that “Everyone needs everyone else to enable their enterprises and businesses to thrive” (As everyone in the community has a role to play in enhancing income-everyone is either a client or a supplier/transporter of raw materials or goods) (When we start valuing each other’s contributions to assuring livelihood security, HRV is eradicated)
- Orienting those that are unemployed and militants and child soldiers to professions aligned to their talents and polishing them through entrepreneurs and elders.
- Sensitize and advice on the importance of maintaining democratic governance, transparent accounting and record keeping at a high level, to prevent conflict of interest an corruption.
- Provide BDS services if necessary.
- Advice on starting village level savings and investment and SEAD (Small Economic Activities Development groups)
- While the groups are saving and investing, provide guidelines to prepare proposals for accessing grants matched to their savings to increase their working capital. (Either from a bank a MFI or donors) – Lessons learned demonstrates that matching grants can be given in 12 weeks and the communities are able to manage themselves in 24 weeks.

If it is needed that the above is totally successful, the organization or project that is to implement it should have a clearly defined “exist strategy”, and only HONEST, NEUTRAL and TRULY CONCERNED and DEDICATED staff who are ready to work themselves out of their jobs as communities were strengthened should be hired to implement it. If not, we will return to the same “Criminal Cycle” of nurturing communities in order that we have institutional and job security by branding them displaced, poor and “Vulnerable” and continue the “They need us” strategy. We also challenge donors to stop funding organizations that do not have clearly thought out “EXIT STATEGIES” and work plans that ensure that the communities that they work with are 100% independent and institutionally and financially sustainable within nine to twelve months.

We already know that our appeal will be heard only by 1% of those who read it, as that is the level of honesty we have in the world today. However, what has to be said has to be said, in order that truth and justice reigns in the world.

Sunimal Alles