1. Context and Background:
Enga Province is currently facing a significant challenge with escalating tribal conflicts that threaten the well-being and progress of the community. These conflicts have been fuelled by a range of factors, including historical grievances, cultural differences, and external influences. Refer to a previous article titled: ” Modern Enga and Causes of Recurring Tribal fighting’s in some parts of Enga” also on this page to understand the cause of tribal fights in Enga.
The province’s rich cultural heritage and potential for tourism and economic development are being overshadowed by the negative impacts of these conflicts. To address this issue, a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach is required.
2. Stakeholder Groups:
In a province like Enga that is grappling with tribal conflicts, various types of mindsets and attitudes can emerge among its people in response to the challenges. These attitudes play a crucial role in shaping the direction and outcomes of efforts to address the conflicts. The following stakeholder groups play a pivotal role in shaping attitudes and influencing outcomes in the context of tribal conflicts in Enga:
- Peacemakers: These individuals actively work towards reconciliation and resolution. They believe in dialogue, compromise, and finding common ground. They advocate for peace and seek to mend relationships between conflicting parties.
- Neutral Observers: This group may not directly engage in the conflicts but maintains a neutral stance. They might not take sides and often emphasize the need for understanding both perspectives before making judgments.
- Conflict Avoiders: These individuals try to distance themselves from the conflicts as much as possible. They might choose to focus on their personal lives and activities that don’t involve the conflicts.
- Activists: Activists are vocal about ending tribal conflicts and might use their platforms to raise awareness about the negative impacts of such conflicts. They may organize events, campaigns, write blog or discussions aimed at addressing the root causes.
- Traditionalists: These individuals might view the conflicts through the lens of cultural traditions. They may believe that the conflicts stem from a need to defend honor, territory, or historical grievances, and they might be hesitant to change these traditional dynamics.
- Educated Youths: Young people could have a different approach, wanting to break the cycle of violence and create a better future. They might be more open to new ways of conflict resolution and may question the traditional practices.
- Entrepreneurs and Educated Elites: Some individuals with access to education and resources might actively seek solutions that benefit the economic and social progress of the province. They may see tribal conflicts as detrimental to overall development.
- Fatalists: This group may believe that tribal conflicts are inevitable due to historical and cultural factors. They might feel that external interventions won’t significantly change the course of events.
- Cynics: Cynics could be disillusioned by the conflicts and may feel that efforts for peace are futile. They might lack trust in the effectiveness of measures taken by authorities.
- Religious Leaders: Religious leaders might approach conflicts from a moral and ethical standpoint. They may advocate for forgiveness, compassion, and the teachings of their faith to guide conflict resolution. They could use this as an opportunity to evangelize the communities too.
- Government Supporters: Some might believe that the government’s intervention is crucial to ending the conflicts. They might support law enforcement measures to maintain order and peace. They may also critique they feel the government is not doing enough.
- Community Leaders: Local leaders might strive to mediate between conflicting parties and emphasize community cohesion. They may encourage adherence to customary practices that promote harmony.
- Opportunistic Entrepreneurs: Some individuals may see the conflicts as an opportunity for personal gain. They might provide hired machineries and resources for profit, without considering the long-term consequences on the community. The benefit from the supply chain of the conflicts.
- Tourism and Positivity Advocates: Certain government officials may recognize that negative events should not hold the province hostage. They might focus on activities that promote positivity and tourism, highlighting the province’s rich cultural heritage and attractions to draw attention away from conflicts.
- Mercenaries for Hire: Individuals who engage in the conflicts as hired hands on behalf of warring factions for monetary rewards. Their participation intensifies the conflicts and perpetuates violence for personal gain. Their involvement also implicate innocent tribes that are not part of the initial conflict.
These diverse attitudes collectively shape the narrative and efforts surrounding tribal conflicts in the province. Recognizing and understanding these perspectives is crucial for developing comprehensive solutions that align with the shared goal of a peaceful and prosperous Enga.
3. Engagement Approaches:
A. Community-Based Dialogue and Mediation:
– Peacemakers, Neutral Observers, and Community Leaders can serve as mediators and facilitators for dialogue sessions between conflicting parties.
– Emphasize the importance of understanding each other’s perspectives, utilizing traditional conflict resolution methods, and working towards common ground.
B. Youth Empowerment and Education:
– Engage the Youth Perspective through workshops, seminars, and mentorship programs that promote peaceful leadership and conflict resolution skills.
– Encourage youth involvement in community development projects to redirect their energy towards positive initiatives.
C. Economic Development and Entrepreneurship:
– Collaborate with Entrepreneurs and Educated Elites to design and implement economic projects that create employment opportunities and encourage financial independence.
– Highlight the potential economic losses caused by conflicts, thereby motivating this group to support peace-building efforts.
D. Cultural and Religious Leaders’ Involvement:
– Religious Leaders can emphasize the shared values of compassion, forgiveness, and reconciliation, aligning them with the principles of various faiths.
– Cultural Leaders can revive and adapt traditional customs that promote unity and discourage violence, working with Traditionalists to bridge old and new approaches.
E. Government and Authorities Collaboration:
– Engage Government Supporters and officials to reinforce law enforcement and provide resources for conflict resolution initiatives.
– Leverage the influence of authorities to enforce regulations against the activities of Opportunistic Entrepreneurs and Mercenaries for Hire.
F. Awareness Campaigns and Tourism Promotion:
– Tourism and Positivity Advocates can organize events such as cultural shows and festivals to showcase Enga’s rich heritage, diverting attention from conflicts.
– Highlight the positive impact of tourism and the arts on the province’s economy, attracting support from different stakeholders.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation:
– Establish a monitoring system to assess the impact of each engagement approach on reducing conflicts and fostering peace.
– Regularly gather feedback from different stakeholder groups to refine and adapt strategies based on their effectiveness.
5. Capacity Building and Resources:
– Provide training and capacity-building programs for mediators, facilitators, and community leaders involved in conflict resolution initiatives.
– Secure funding and resources for economic development projects that engage youth and entrepreneurs in building a stable and prosperous Enga.
6. Collaboration and Partnerships:
– Forge partnerships with local and international organizations, NGOs, and governmental bodies with expertise in conflict resolution, youth empowerment, and economic development.
7. Public Awareness and Education:
– Launch public awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of peace, unity, and collaboration in overcoming conflicts and achieving a prosperous future for Enga.
Pursuing Peace and Harmony
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 (NIV)
This passage from the Book of Romans emphasizes the importance of pursuing peace and harmony in our interactions with others. It encourages individuals to take proactive steps towards peace and reconciliation, aligning with the strategic plan’s focus on engaging different stakeholder groups to work towards a peaceful resolution of conflicts. Just as the passage suggests, the plan seeks to create an environment where all efforts are made to live in harmony and peace, promoting unity and prosperity for Enga Province.
By harnessing the strengths and perspectives of each stakeholder group, this strategic plan aims to create a harmonized peace solution in Enga Province. It recognizes the diverse nature of attitudes and strives to align them towards the shared goal of a peaceful and prosperous community. Through sustained efforts and collaborative engagement, we can pave the way for a brighter future for Enga and its generations to come.
Note: This research paper is a proposal and should be further developed and refined before presentation to the Law & Order Committee.
By Meck J. Minnala , University of Papua New Guinea
[…] « Arresting Law & Order – Achieving Peace and Prosperity in Enga Province […]