Conflicts are an integral part of life in society. Social life is marked by different types of conflicts. They can be verbal but also non-verbal. They could also be armed as well as aggressive attitudes and behaviours which are signs of the difficulties of living together in harmony. I have not only experienced conflicts but also been involved and implicated in several situations of conflicts. I have lived and worked in conflict zones, rebellious contexts as well as in war zones. Some of these situations were well beyond our control. However, what counts is not the existence of conflicts but how we handle them.
There are no small conflicts
Though the root causes of conflicts are many and complex, the parties involved in a conflict often carry a lot of prejudices that influence their perception of the reality. Prejudices and stereotypes aggravate conflicts; they are easy ways to classify, categorise and identify people but blur the situation; they are subjective and not objective perceptions. A conflict involving just two people can escalate to implicate a whole family, clan, tribe, village …etc. This reminds me of the African proverb that says: there are no small conflicts. Therefore, under normal circumstances, conflicts should not be avoided but rather faced with tact, love and truth. The parties should be challenged to reflect on their prejudices and stereotypes in order to overcome them.
Peaceful handling of conflicts
As Hamlet Prince of Denmark, we too may wonder whether it is better to endure conflicts or to take up arms against them and thus end them. However, conflicts are never resolved by arms or avoidance. But there is a third and a better way. In fact, experience has shown that peaceful conflict transformations bear lasting fruits.
A lot is being done behind the scenes, not only to promote peaceful conflict resolution but specially to prevent conflicts. I have witnessed conflict transformation through the traditional joking relations or palaver procedures whereby the different parties are made to talk out their divergences and litigations. It entailed bringing together those in conflict to express their grievances and concerns. The beginning of such an encounter could be acrimonious, with a lot of anger, tensions and emotions, but which were gradually transformed into empathic listening and dispassionate dialogue, eventually leading to tolerance and acceptance. The end results were palpable since harmony returned and those involved shared a drink, kola nut, … etc. For this to take place the role of a mediator or group of mediators is of paramount importance. A successful mediation requires good reputation, impartiality and foresightedness, conditions which create trust and confidence. According to the situation, the mediator may proceed by encountering the different parties in conflict separately before bringing them together. In such negotiations there are no winners and losers! Everyone wins in one way or the other.
The disciples of Christ, the Prince of Peace, are peacemakers
As missionary disciples of Christ, the Prince of Peace, we have a special contribution to make in matters of peacebuilding. Jesus expects his disciples to be peacemakers; he addresses them with greetings of peace: ‘peace be with you.’ Shalom is a hallmark of Christian mission. A first action is to refrain from propagating hate messages, rumour mongering, gossiping or any act that will intensify or create conflict.
Faced with conflict, the disciple, as prophetic witness of Christ, has the responsibility to find a permanent peaceful solution to it. His action should be guided by the spirit of the gospel. There is a need for concrete action which implies getting in touch with the different parties and proposing a service of mediation.
In this area of mediation Sant’Egidio has good practices to share! The role of the mediator requires discretion and renunciation to the paternity or ownership of the end results; as salt of the earth and light of the world, the disciple becomes an ambassador of reconciliation. For instance, the role played by the apostles in the election of the first seven deacons: they gave the criteria for their selection and at the end confirmed the choice of the community with a prayer for the newly elected ministers. Another example is the first ecumenical council, the council of Jerusalem. This was a synodal approach: they listened to everybody who had something to say on the situation, then they drew the conclusions that had become obvious. They then created an instance to implement and to follow up the situation to a peaceful end. In this process the guiding principle is the common good embedded in the will of God. For the focus of a Christian conflict management is based on the will of God.
Awareness raising and education for peace
From my experience a lot was achieved through raising awareness. At an early age, young people should be trained to live together with people from different backgrounds (race, culture and religion). Their civic education and socialisation should empower them to be able to live peacefully with others and to see differences as an enrichment rather than as a threat. A fertile ground for conflict prevention is the whole area of youth apostolate. The youth learn to appreciate their cultural diversity by interacting with each other.
However, efforts could be made at all levels to raise awareness of diversity in cultures, lifestyles and behaviours; this will enrich coexistence. Occasions should be created to celebrate diversity in society as a means of learning from each other’s culture and tradition. Such experiences will surely lead to mutual understanding and appreciation: ingredients for harmonious coexistence.
The Church has a great role to play in peaceful transformation of conflicts. The activities of the Church should focus on peaceful coexistence. Catholic education, in particular should promote among their pupils the values that promote peace and reconciliation. The social teachings of the Church can be an important tool in preventing conflict and promoting peace. Church leaders should avail themselves for mediation when conflicts crop up. But above all, the Church can better play this role when it is itself a laboratory of peaceful coexistence.
By: Ignatius Anipu, M.Afr.