Peace and Conflict Resolution

At the end of the course, students should be able to: 1. analyse the concepts of peace, conflict and security; 2. list major forms, types and root causes of conflict and violence; 3. differentiate between conflict and terrorism; 4. enumerate security and peace building strategies; and 5. describe roles of international organizations, media and traditional institutions in peace building.

Concepts of peace, conflict and security in a multi-ethnic nation. Types and Theories of Conflicts: ethnic, religious, economic, geo-political conflicts; Structural Conflict Theory, Realist Theory of Conflict, Frustration-Aggression Conflict Theory. Root causes of conflict and violence in Africa: indigene and settlers’ phenomenon; boundaries/boarder disputes; political disputes; ethnic disputes and rivalries; economic inequalities and social disputes. Nationalist movements and agitations. Selected conflict case studies: Tiv-Junkun; Zangon-Kataf chieftaincy and land disputes. Peace building, management of conflicts and security: peace & human development. Approaches to peace & conflict management: religious, government and community leaders. Elements of peace studies and conflict resolution: conflict dynamics assessment scales: constructive & destructive. Justice and legal framework: concepts of social justice. The Nigeria legal system. Insurgency and terrorism. Peace mediation and peace keeping. Peace & security council: international, national and local levels. Agents of conflict resolution: conventions, treaties community policing: evolution and imperatives. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): a) dialogue b) arbitration, c) negotiation d) collaboration. Roles of international organizations in conflict resolution: (a) the United Nations and its conflict resolution organs, (b) the African Union, & its peace and security council (c) ECOWAS in peace keeping. Media and traditional institutions in peace building. Managing post-conflict situations/crisis: refugees. Internally displaced persons (IDPs). The role of NGOs in post-conflict situations/crises.