| PEACETALK: Mindanao is not alone. By Kristian Herbolzheimer |
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| by Kristian Herbolzheimer | |
| Wednesday, 20 August 2008 11:09 | |
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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/20 August) -- All conflicts and peace processes are different. But in a frame of globalization they do not escape from mirroring themselves with other experiences around the world. Militant groups from both sides of the divide in Northern Ireland learned a lot from the negotiations in South Africa. Then, again, Northern Ireland became a source of inspiration for other peace processes like the one in the Basque Country (Spain).
Not surprisingly, the current draft Memorandum of Agreement between the GRP and the MILF also draws from different cases. Actually, about half of the current armed conflicts are related to struggles for independence. Outcomes have been mixed. Timor Leste and Kosovo have gained complete independence. The breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia achieved a de facto independence from Georgia, mainly thanks to the support of Russia. On the other hand, rebels in Chechnya or the fighters for a Sikh homeland in India were defeated, and the nonviolent freedom-struggle in Tibet has been crushed by the Chinese State. But in a frame of peace negotiations the most common outcome is some kind of autonomy. To be sure, there is not a single formula for how to shape an autonomous region. Wales has a low degree of autonomy but can nevertheless play in international sports competitions. On the other hand, the Ethiopian constitution grants the right to independence to the different states that compose its federation, but central government is nevertheless mercilessly combating secessionists in the state of Oromia. The control over natural resources has become a key factor in conflicts. Thus, agreements tend to specify how revenues may be shared, like the case of Aceh. In terms of international representation, although Spain is not a federal country, Catalonia has recently been granted the right to open “embassies” and to participate in international fora and institutions. I would like to draw attention upon one specific case with astonishing similarities to Mindanao, but very little known internationally: Nagaland, in the crossroads between northeastern India and southeastern Asia. Nagas were never under formal control of any colonial power and have thus always opposed their inclusion in India. The Indian State has approached the conflict with different strategies over time. It has tried all-out war after violence erupted in 1956, it has conducted several rounds of peace talks, and it has poured in millions to foster economic development and apace political discontent. In 1963 India created a Naga state with a big deal of self-government, granting the prevalence of customary law. As a consequence, some armed factions lay down arms and entered mainstream politics; but others continued their armed struggle, claiming a greater Naga homeland extending over adjacent states and even into neighboring Burma. Encompassing some 60 different tribes, factionalism and feuding among different rebel factions are frequent. After more than 50 years of fighting even the Indian armed forces admit that the best solution is a peace agreement. The main parties have respected a ceasefire for the last ten years, and peace talks are conducted in secrecy. Despite the asymmetric relations between the huge Indian state and the tiny Naga rebels, India has granted rebels a political status that allows for discussion under quasi egalitarian conditions. Similarities between Mindanao and Nagaland are striking. There is nevertheless one major difference: the rebels are not Muslims, but Christians. As in Mindanao, it is not a religious conflict. But again as in Mindanao, religion nevertheless does play an important role. Actually, to overcome cultural prejudices and to widen narrow mindsets often becomes the major challenge in settling identity-based conflicts. [MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. PeaceTalk is open to anyone who wants to share his/her thought on peace in Mindanao.KristianHerbolzheimer of Sweden has been working for seven years as Deputy Director for the Program on Peace Processes at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain (www.escolapau.org). He is currently based in Davao City, working as a volunteer research fellow for the Inititatives for International Development]. Share this story through the following Social Media sites:            |
