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Situating Workable Response continues....
It is rightly shown in the survey that predominantly traditional and
local mechanisms are more frequently used than the formal national
mechanisms to resolve disputes or address local problems. In terms of
formal mechanisms, those most often used are the police and district
governors mainly for purposes of arbitration. The type of mechanism
used for the resolution of any given dispute depends on local factors and
on the nature of the dispute, but the most favoured mechanism,
particularly in rural areas, is the community or tribal councils of elders,
known as Jirgas or Shuras.
There is a clear need for community peace-
building, which has been undertaken with much success in other
12 developing countries like Kenya. Reinvigoration of these traditional
mechanisms can be the beginning of community empowerment leading
to community peace-building.
Community peace-building is a participatory, bottom-up approach
to peace-building, based on the premise that people are the best resources
for building and sustaining peace. Such an approach aims to strengthen
community capacities to resolve disputes peacefully; to develop trust,
safety, and social cohesion within and between communities; and to
promote inter-ethnic and inter-group comity.
The means of achieving
this is through building the capacity of communities, especially Jirgas and
Shuras, to resolve disputes through mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution; supporting civil-society involvement in peace and
development and promoting peace education. It is not a fixed or defined
activity, but adaptable to local circumstances and seeks to incorporate
peace-building values, skills, and techniques into broader governance.
Peace work at a community level strengthens community cohesion,
reduces violence, and enhances resistance to militants.
To be continued....