(a) Good governance
Good governance may be defined as the running of the affairs of government in positive and progressive manners beneficial to the governed, and which delivers the public goods. It is a relative term to which there is no consensus, but most will agree that it is characterized by democratization, maintenance of law and order, accountability and transparency, responsiveness on the part of the government, due process, the rule of law, competence, separation and devolution of powers, a free press and a free virile civil society arena, competition for power and the existence of a credible opposition, the respect for minority rights among other human rights, etc. Good governance helps to diffuse tensions and remove problems as they evolve. Decision makers take the right decisions as and when due. In many African countries, conflicts are state and government-generated as a result of the insensitivity and incompetence of the regimes on the continent.
(b) Communication
This in this context is the process of sharing and exchanging information between individuals, groups and potential parties in a conflict situation. It is also the process of interacting and relating with others, meaning that parties to a conflict situation still talk. The exchange and sharing of information can help to remove doubt, suspicion and contribute to the process of confidence building. These are essential ingredients of peace building. Communication relates to the presence and sharing of accurate information about a conflict situation, being able to talk about feelings and concerns of parties, speaking about what parties would like to change, and discussing the nature and type of the conflict, touching on the positions, interests, needs and fears of parties. Poor communication, or the absence of communication about these and other subjects, or a misinterpretation of the needs and feelings of one another by conflict parties, can easily lead to the escalation of conflict. The role of communication in conflict prevention and crisis management stems from the fact that most conflicts have to do with perceptions, assumptions, stereotypes, and attitudes, which have been developed by conflict parties vis-à-vis conflict.
(c) Negotiation
This is where conflicting parties by themselves meet to resolve their differences without the intervention of a third party. It is a voluntary problem-solving or joint-decision making process where two or more parties meet, discuss problems, and try to a mutually agreed upon decision. It is a bargaining relationship between two or more parties (the negotiators) who have perceived or actual conflict of interests. Negotiation may be positional (competitive) or co-operative/interest based. Positional (or competitive) negotiation is where parties make offers and counter offers, which they think will resolve their problem. The exchange of offers will eventually start converging on a solution where both parties are in agreement. Co-operative or interest based negotiation on the other hand is designed for parties with a need to create or maintain healthy relationships. Here, parties discuss issues facing them and express their interests, values and needs. Instead of focusing on competitive measures and winning the negotiation, parties collaborate by looking towards solutions which maximize the meeting of their interests, values and needs.
(d) Mediation
This is a process through which a third party provides procedural assistance to help individuals or groups in conflict to resolve their differences. Mediation can also be seen as intervention into a dispute or negotiation of an acceptable, impartial and neutral third party who has no authority or decision making power on the conflict but only assist. The third party assists the contending parties to voluntarily reach their own mutually agreeable/acceptable settlement of issues in dispute. In essence, it is negotiation with an addition of a third party knowledgeable in effective negotiation procedures. A mediator may be a family friend, village elder, pastor, chief, friend, etc.
(e) Facilitation
This is where a neutral third party helps to improve communication between conflicting parties in the conflict resolution process. That is, it is a structural process where an impartial and non-directive third party (the facilitator) procedurally encourages an effective communication flow between the parties in conflict. Usually, this involves channeling content-enhancing communication, exchange and guiding the process. Facilitation has similar objectives as mediation, but does not adhere to a tightly defined process. The facilitator may either be a third party or a person within one of the groups who is able to provide procedural assistance and to refrain from entering into the substance of the discussion.f
(f) Conciliation
This is where a third party acts as a go-between for parties to meet and resolve their differences. This is when the conflict has generated high emotions and the individual parties do not see eye to eye, accompanied by extreme suspicions and dishonesty on both sides. The third party carries messages between the two parties meant to cool down emotions sand lessen suspicion to facilitate the meeting between the parties, and solve their differences.
(g) Reconciliation
This is the process of restoring or rebuilding of broken relationships or the coming together of those who have been alienated and separated from each other by a conflict to create a community again. It is a conflict resolution method whose ultimate goal is the restoration of the pre-conflict relationship. The parties must accept responsibility, ask for forgiveness and justice pursued.
Reconciliation could also be seen as ?the painful past? in dialogue with ?the present? and ?the unfolding future?. It is a long-term inclined process that is honesty and truthfulness is important if it is to be successful.
Titany answered the question on August 11, 2021 at 07:11