Minding the Gap: African Conflict Management in a Time of Change

The Shirazi Foundation attended an event hosted by the Elliott School of International Affairs titled Minding the Gap: African Conflict Management in a Time of Change. Experts initially intended to articulate on “the prevailing narrative,  that  Africa is awash with violent conflict, the number of cases of successful conflict management and resolutions and what accounted for the successes and failures”. But more focus went toward the failures from many involved in the peacekeeping process. Many aspects of the process were explained from how the rejectors on the continent who belong to terror groups don’t respect any aspect of the laws of war and break them continuously. Experts mentioned The mandate in The United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Principles and Guideline, addressing the Security Council resolution 1674 (2006) on the protection of civilians in armed conflict;4. Experts mentioned that this protection is viewed differently, by various organizations and that it was not clarified what the word protection really meant in this peacekeeping process. Some hold the opinion on Capitol Hill that too much funding is allocated towards the peace  process which the expert disagreed that not enough is dedicated to quality medical treatment, reliable transportation, and many more necessities needed that has been voiced by those directly involved. Important points were raised as to who should be the mediators in the peace process the elders or a trained graduate in the field of conflict resolution.