The Remit of Conflict-Framing for Conflict-Resolution and Peacebuilding: A Selected Comparison of Cases in Nigeria, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and Myanmar

Abstract

This paper examines the implications of framing a conflict for the peacebuilding process given the often divergent perspectives the conflicting parties have of the conflict. In this context, the paper focuses on the framing of armed conflicts in Nigeria, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and Myanmar as civil war or genocide and the implication of these framings for conflict resolution, reconciliation and peacebuilding. It mainly discusses what is framed as the “civil war” in Nigeria and “genocide” in Rwanda and uses both to examine armed conflicts in both Sri Lanka and Myanmar. The main argument made is that conflict-framing does have implications for how conflict plays out, its resolution and the post-conflict reconciliation phase, and as such framing an armed conflict as genocide is useful if it is aimed at informing reconciliation not shaming and blaming. Therefore, the need to frame the conflict should not overshadow reconciliation, as findings way to resolve the differences between the warring parties is very important to instituting peace within the society. The paper thus concludes that the aim of framing and understanding the dynamics of a conflict should be geared towards instituting adequate reconciliation that will bring about lasting peace.

Keywords: Framing Conflict, reconciliation, genocide