A Guide:

STAGES OF CONFLICT AND PEACE WITH CORRESPONDING POLICY TOOLS
SITUATION 2:  UNSTABLE PEACE

Stage of Conflict

 Political tensions

Environment for Interventions

 · Low-level political conflict.

· Political instability.

· Inequitable socio-economic structures.

· Whole groups or regions marginalized.

· Socio-economic and regional differences politicized.

· Uncertainty.

 · Inadequate political structures and processes.

· Poor responsiveness by government.

· Low governmental legitimacy.

· Near crisis.

· Possible violence.

Timeframe

for Action

 Medium term

Primary Objectives

 · Address disputes.

· Engage parties in dialogue; channel grievances into negotiations.

· Foster positive communication.

· Strengthen political and civic institutions.

· Discourage extreme actions that can precipitate violence.

· Head off crises.

· Reduce tensions.

· Improve leadership relationships.

· Alleviate worst conditions breeding conflict.

· Provide humanitarian resources to minimize additional stress and tension.

· Enhance cross-cutting social and economic ties.

Illustrative Policy Tools:  Unstable Peace

Official diplomacy

 · Informal consultations

· International moral appeals/ condemnation

 · Conciliation

· Good offices

· Special envoys

Non-official conflict management

 · Visits by eminent organizations/ individuals/"embarrassing witnesses"

· Support for local conflict management/resolution mechanisms

 · Civilian fact-finding missions/ observers/monitoring/verification teams

· Mediation

Military measures

 · Confidence-bldg./security measures

· Preventive peacekeeping forces

· Military-to-military programs

 · General deterrence policies

· Military restructuring/integration

· Military professionalization/reform

Economic and social development

 · Economic reforms, including social safety nets

· Development assistance

 · Economic and resource cooperation

· Conditionality

· Inter-communal trade

Judicial and legal measures

 · Judicial/legal reforms

· Arbitration

 · Police reform

Communications and education

 · Peace radio/TV · Media professionalization