National peacekeeping force needed to prevent new clashes in Ambon
National peacekeeping force needed to prevent new clashes in Ambon
Yayan GH Mulyana, Bogor, West Java
The recent recurrence of bloody Muslim-Christian battles in
Ambon indicates that the Malino peace pact, which brought almost
all the parties concerned together to agree to truce three years
ago, requires additional measures to ensure a durable peace in
the region.
Those measures should include the deployment of a "national
peacekeeping mission" -- comprised of soldiers from each of the
divisions of the Indonesian Military (TNI) and civilian police --
shortly after a renewed peace commitment is achieved. This
deployment of troops should coincide with post-conflict
reconstruction missions and measures to address the root causes
of the conflict.
Deployment of a sizable TNI and state police contingent is
essential for a certain period sufficient to ensure that peace is
adhered to in line with the Malino pact. Security matters after
an inter-communal conflict of high magnitude -- such as the one
in Ambon -- cannot just be taken for granted. It requires an
assurance, and the presence of a national peacekeeping force in
the region would assure that all parties concerned held to the
truce commitment and were willing to restrain themselves from
resorting to use of force when differences or minor skirmishes
recur.
A key mandate in the peacekeeping operation would also be
disarming civilians involved in the conflicts. Guns and other
light weapons of war have contributed to the large number of
casualties in the Ambon conflict. As weapons have been smuggled
through Ambon's sea routes, professional navy patrols in the
surrounding coastal areas should also be installed to support the
disarmament process.
After calm is restored, the post-conflict reconstruction
mission should begin. This mission would consolidate peace,
facilitate all parties concerned in meeting their commitment to
peace, and prevent the recurrence of conflict. It should be built
upon four pillars: Nation-building, economic reconstruction,
institution building and public administration.
The nation-building pillar is imperative as the recent
conflict in Ambon was sparked by a group of secessionists. Unlike
previous conflicts, the current conflicts in Ambon feature
religious-secessionism issues. Most of those involved in the call
for the restoration of the Republic of South Maluku (RMS) are
said to be Moluccan Christians.
It is, however, important to note that the majority of
Christian Moluccans generally oppose the secessionist movement.
Both Christian and Muslim Moluccans resolutely hope for a lasting
peace, and Ambon, under the framework of the unitary state of the
Republic of Indonesia, in which Muslims and Christians can live
in harmony and serenity, and in which they have a better chance
to build a more prosperous and livable Moluccas as the regional
Autonomy Law is implemented properly.
Nation-building projects may include the development of inter-
religious dialog forums involving youths and traditional leaders
as well as physical projects involving Muslims and Christian
Ambonese, such as joint night patrols and joint operations of
crisis centers.
Engaging women in such projects is recommended. They can
complement the existing efforts with their own ways and
sensitivity. The reviving of indigenous modalities for conflict
resolutions such as the pela gandong is also an important project
in nation-building.
Other important elements of the project are the development of
a culture of prevention and the internalization of culture of
peace, through, among other things, local folklore and narratives
that depict vintage years when Muslim-Christian harmony was
widespread.
The Ambon conflict has resulted in the destruction of economic
infrastructure and economic activities have ground to a halt.
Economic recovery may include physical reconstruction of economic
centers, including public markets and the creation of an
environment in which Muslim and Christian economic players feel
secure and confident in doing business. The reconstruction should
also include the repair of all utilities, including electricity
and safe drinking water.
Another essential element of the economic recovery program is
job creation. This can be pursued by the development of small and
medium scale enterprises, including home industries and
cooperatives, the development of local markets and the promotion
of training, especially for the many wayward youths.
When civilians previously involved in the conflict are
suitably equipped to enter the job market, they will be allowed
to reintegrated into their communities. Having permanent jobs
also has a preventive component. Youths with stable jobs will
think twice about participating in another destructive conflict
that will ruin the economy and result in the loss of their jobs.
The economic recovery program should also ensure that public
services function, including banks, information sources (print
and electronic media) and transportation services. Domestic
investment should also be encouraged. Intercity and
interprovincial commercial relationships should also be
developed. Dependable service delivery is essential to those
efforts.
The institutional building pillar focuses on the rebuilding
and reopening of public facilities, especially mosques and
churches, as well as residential buildings. The establishment of
mixed teams involving both Muslims and Christians in those
institutional building projects is important. This pillar may
also include the reconstruction of villages and the reinstatement
of ownership upon property left by their holders who were
internally displaced. This project is vital to the reintegration
of many internally displaced Ambonese to their communities.
This pillar may also include the promotion of human rights
education and human right advocacy groups. A person's human
dignity tends to be violated in conflict situations. Women and
children usually experience the severest violations. Human rights
education for all people and local government apparatus can have
a deterrence effect, preventing civilian combatants from ravaging
the basic rights and freedom of men and women, adults and
children in a conflict zone.
The public administration pillar would ensure that the local
government is up and running and able to serve the needs of the
people. During the conflict public services have come to a
standstill. Public servants need to get back to work so they can
help respond to the public's needs for immediate services, from
the issuance of identity papers (KTP) and certificates of
property ownership to the provision of clean water, phone and
electrical lines and postal services.
International assistance to help build a durable peace in
Ambon could also be welcomed, but this should be under the
direction and coordination of the Indonesian government.
International aid agencies should have local sensitivity in order
to gain trust and confidence of local people, both Muslims and
Christians. Once they are accepted by all parties, this can work
quietly and contribute to the reconstruction efforts
significantly.
The national peacekeeping operation should continue its
presence as the security element of the post-conflict
reconstruction mission in Ambon. The reduction and withdrawal of
the security forces will depend on the progress achieved in the
peace consolidation efforts in the region. It is also imperative
for the President to appoint a Special Representative for
Mollucas Affairs mandated to direct and supervise the
implementation of the peacekeeping and post-conflict
reconstruction mission in Ambon. The special representative
should work in the field, not in Jakarta, and report regularly to
the President in a professional, responsible and impartial
manner.
The writer is a Fulbright Programme Alumnus.