INTRACTABLE CONFLICTS

Koffi Anan, former UN Secretary General and a remarkable conflict mediator

INTRACTABLE CONFLICTS

            International conflicts can’t be viewed as unitary phenomena. They have many different features

1. Constructive conflicts- parties involved can bridge over their differences through negotiations and micable means.
2. Destructive conflicts – may take place between individuals, groups or nations simply resist any attempt at management and goon and on towards higher level of hostility intensity and usually violence.

Peaceful strategies or approaches that might be applicable in some conflicts appear to be unhelpful in such conflicts.

Intractable conflicts refer to the long standing conflicts, for example;

1. Northern Highland
2. Israel and its neighbors
3. India and Pakistan

Intractable conflict is a process of competitive relationship that extends over a period of time and involves hostile perceptions and occasionally military actions

Characteristics of intractable conflicts.

1. In terms of actors, intractable conflicts involve states or other actors with a long sense of historical grievances and strong desire to redress or avenge these.
2. Intractable conflicts take place over a long period of time
3. Intractable conflicts involve intangible issues such as identity, sovereignty or values and beliefs.
4. Involves paralyzed perception of hostility and enermity and behavior that is violent and destructive I terms of relationship.
5. In terms of geopolitics, intractable conflicts usually take places where buffer states exist between major power blocks or civilizations.
6. Intractable conflicts resist many conflicts management efforts and have a history of failed peace making efforts.