Malino peace process flawed<\/p>\n
Prasetyohadi, Researcher in Conflict Transformation, Jakarta<\/p>\n
It was indeed a show of good will on the part of the central
\ngovernment to host a two-day reconciliatory meeting between the
\nconflicting parties in Poso, Central Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
But the significance of the meeting, which began on Aug. 10 in
\nthe Central Sulawesi capital of Palu, became questionable when
\nthe Christian delegation, citing security and transportation
\ndifficulties, did not show up. Perhaps, in an expression of
\nresentment toward the meeting.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, thousands of people in Poso have fled their homes.
\nThe Malino I peace accord signed on Dec. 20, 2001, is seen as
\nseriously damaged, and its signatories can hardly see the light
\nat the end of the tunnel if the methods and procedures of the
\ntalks are not significantly altered.<\/p>\n
In the case of the Malino I accord for Poso, both parties'
\ndenial of involvement in fresh attacks should have clearly
\nindicated the invalidity of the mediation and lack of trust on
\nthe part of the mediators, who resumed the meeting only after the
\nrecent outbreak of violence. So it is indeed futile and a waste
\nof time.<\/p>\n
The process of the Malino meetings, either the first for Poso
\nor the second for Maluku, does not allow for the development of a
\nlong-term program. The talks are designed to proceed for only two
\ndays, with preparations of a few weeks. Indeed, the Malino talks
\nare designed to be held only once, involving all parties. This
\ncannot be the case in conflict resolution, given the usually deep
\nhatred and thirst for revenge on both sides.<\/p>\n
Peace talks take a great deal of time, and the agenda for
\ntalks should come from the participants -- not be imposed from
\nabove. The short, condescending Malino meetings limit all
\nparticipants to the formality of a declaration. Thus no one can
\nadequately ensure their sincere implementation.<\/p>\n
The identification of the actors in the conflicts also remains
\nweak, which can be seen in the insufficient representation of
\nparticipants at the talks.<\/p>\n
The representation of the military, police and civilians
\ninvolved in the armed conflicts is indeed very low. Thus,
\ngroupings along religious lines in the representation cannot be
\nconsidered adequate ground to assume reconciliation.<\/p>\n
Peace talks that do not include the real actors in a conflict
\nare meaningless. It is worse if the signatories are expected to
\nimplement the agreement and stop armed attacks. In the case of
\nPoso, indicators point to the involvement of skilled,
\nunidentified outsiders in a number of the attacks.<\/p>\n
In fact, most of the Malino peace talk signatories, either for
\nPoso or Maluku, are local community leaders, the majority of whom
\nhave no access to or contact with well-trained combatants and
\nsnipers, carrying automatic weapons.<\/p>\n
Again, the success of a peace deal assumes the willingness of
\nthe parties to adopt viable deals. And to reach such a
\nprecondition, mediators and\/or facilitators should reroute the
\nprocess from scratch, embracing community organization
\nmanagement.<\/p>\n
If success is really the goal, mediators should bow to the
\npreferences of the conflicting communities and change the
\nprocedures of the talks. If confrontation occurs, facilitators
\nshould not shrink away. Keep them talking, whatever difficulties
\nthey encounter.<\/p>\n
In the violent incidents that have taken place after the peace
\nagreements in Poso and Maluku, there have been hardly any
\nattempts to seek justice. The security officers remain weak
\nbeyond explanation, failing to do their jobs in an almost
\ncriminal manner.<\/p>\n
With recent major outbreaks of violence in Poso destroying the
\npeace deal, and once participants in the peace talks acknowledge
\nthis situation, reconciliatory efforts which have so far been
\n\"top down\" should begin to involve civil society in advocating
\nhuman rights.<\/p>\n
Who will do this if not the people themselves?<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/malino-peace-process-flawed-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }