THERE IS NEED TO RETHINK PEACE BUILDING APPROACHES

Wikipedia (2010) defines conflict as actual or perceived opposition of needs, values and interests while describes a society or a relationship that is operating harmoniously and without violent conflict. Conflict is a lifetime symptom, as old as mankind –and it is easier to find than peace.

It is a reality and manifests itself in numerous forms –which include: diagnosed conflict; psychological conflict –when the ego overruns the intellect and reality sense, when conflict is learned, or from differences in perception); shared conflict –in which a party in pain involves another or others; individual-situational conflict; socio-economic conflict –in relation to resources distribution and means to get them; socio-political conflict (positioning in the leadership hierarchy and its quality), socio-cultural conflict, or transformative conflict; and human-natural conflict –when one goes against the laws of nature, (or human-spiritual conflict).

It is notable, also, that conflict can be culturalized characterized by revenge and counter-revenge because of continued infliction on pain by another or as part of business and a craze for power and dominion over others that result into creation of social classes (less important people verses the most important characterized by negative discrimination) and social hierarchies. Conflict also takes the context of different levels and understanding of civilization and their burning desire to spread and dominate one another.

These, if not managed, potentially erase peace, deter human and ecological advancement and potentially threaten life of both humans and animals –right from the state of individual ill-health –who shares pain and suffering with a group of others to cause group ill-health, to cause breakdown of social fabric, breakdown of biological systems and eco-systems functioning –in totality, then demise or end to life.

Conflict is, thus, part and parcel of evolution and revolution –which happen with evidenced human reactions like surprises, shocks and sparks, and sometimes with pain and confusion. Various fields of professional practice led by psychologists (or psychiatrists), naturalists, and Buddhists spent considerable amount of time and energy to eradicate human and ecological afflictions –through circular critical thinking to establish harmony linear cause-effect relationships.

Most importantly, they are excellent in terms of respect of diversity and management of extremes or mental imbalances, minimizing economic disparities through donations to the poor and volunteerism. In addressing peace and conflict issues, therefore, experts must be mindful of the different manifestations and establish links with the current conflict situation.

And while examining individual sources of conflict, the community-individual relationships must never be left out. This emphasizes the placement of mental health issues at the centre of research, analyses and policy of every nation –ensuring equal representation, equal measure of respect, and equal measure of rights, equal participation in determining future actions applied to both progressive and conservative forces while working optimistically –giving nature its time to see off prevailing conflicts towards a better, habitable and dignifying world for everyone to live in.

That will go along way to establishing the right equilibrium in the human functioning (peace or normalcy) and eco-system balance for its consolidation. Wars, disease, biting poverty, starvation, unfair distribution of resources, undemocratic leadership systems, unemployment, misery and nature itself at war with humanity have created a dark devilish picture in the minds of millions around the world.

Uganda has had its share in the last 35 years yet conditions are still fresh for similar outbreaks of violence. And diseases mainly malaria in children and HIV in married people too are still big challenges. According to the Malaria Control Program (2008), malaria was responsible for more illness and death than any other single disease in Uganda. While those with low immunity- pregnant women, children under five years and people living with HIV/AIDS- are particularly vulnerable, all people living in Uganda are at risk of being infected with malaria parasites and suffering from resulting illness.

A study by Makerere University Kampala confirmed that new cases of the disease were occurring among the married people between the ages 30 to 40 (medicalnewstoday.com, 2009). Kihumuro (2009) said, “HIV infection rates were rising again yet most of the funding was going into treatment rather than prevention.” A culture and business of warring continues to pursue Uganda –helplessly. And any intervention is effective only if comes from outside the country.

That is evident in Karamoja concern is said to be serious –and reports of acts of terror similar to what happened in northern Uganda in the late 1980s and early 1990s have cropped up (Olara S, 2010). Those concern Uganda alone, but there are several countries around the world either still in conflict or nursing serious psychological effects –with no meaning to life. In neighboring Kenya, some 1,500 people were killed and another 300,000 displaced

in a matter of weeks after the presidential polls in which President Mwai Kibaki was accused of having stolen the vote (Africannewslive, 2010).

The Durfur genocide in Sudan happened in broad day light for the world to see. Over the course of more than three years of deadly conflict, mortality significantly exceeded 450,000 (Reeves, 2008), while WHO estimates showed 70,000.

And in Rwanda, the 1994 genocide claimed one million. UN (2010) reported an estimated 240 women, girls and babies raped after rebels attacked the DRC town of Luvungi, but only 150 cases were confirmed. There are several cases of nature being at war with humanity around the World.

Uganda has its own of March 2010 –when landslide killed 51 people and 300 went missing in Bududa, Mbale (Daily Monitor, 2010). But over the next four (4) days, the death toll rose to 85 people. Interestingly, armed with a rifle and in full military uniform, president Museveni appeared at the scene –as though fighting avenging nature instead of environmental approaches to it.

Amidst such occurrences, the United Nations and African Union have demonstrated pitiful weakness in their interventions by treating violence and natural disasters of symptoms rather than understanding the multi-faceted origins, the forms and appropriate actions –respectively.

The running of the two bodies has been hijacked by the same leaders (in Africa, USA and UK) accused of oppression (both human and environmental) by their citizens and other nations -respectively. Even membership to them is restricted to serve the interests of oppressors.

Because they are oppressors’ clubs, no other leader is willing to cooperate fully to the best functioning of the regional and global agencies for peace and human rights. In Kenya, the government simply defended itself for not arresting president Omar Bashir (guardian.co.uk, 2010). The result of the 1991 UN-endorsed Gulf War was massive loss of lives only to serve the interests of a handful –Bush II and Blair.

Moreover in March 2003, without authorization from the UN enshrined in article 42 of the charter, they went ahead to mentally and physically maim Iraq population (Halliday, 2005). Yet against all that, humanity needs a peaceful and predictable environment conducive for prosperity, and attainment of life dreams (peace, harmony and happiness) –when approaches to their achievement are holistic.

If countries can achieve that, they will begin to discover the need to collective action to solving global problems, a well-functioning people (particularly in Uganda and global community in general) --free of wars, illness, misery and suffering –and peacefully co-existing despite diversity in culture and ideology. Annan (2005) observed, "Lessons for the US, the UN and other member states. I think in the end everybody's concluded it's best to work together with our allies and through the UN.”

Graduate Peace and Conflict Studies Program
Makerere University
P.O. Box 7062, Kampala-Uganda
jwaiswa@arts.mak.ac.ug