Every conflict is characterized by different stages and levels of change and transformation. This is because conflict is not static, but changes in form or intensity.
Best cites Simon Fisher as identifying five stages of conflict as follows:
(i) The Pre-Conflict Stage: This is a period when goals between parties are not compatible, and which can lead to open conflict. At this stage, the conflict is not well known because parties try not to make it known, but communication is strained between them.
(ii) The Confrontation Stage: This is the point at which the conflict becomes manifest and is made known. This stage is marked at times by fighting, with low levels of violence,thesearch for supporters by the different parties, mobilization of resources, the tense relations and polarization.
(iii) The Crisis Stage: This is the peak of the conflict. In violent conflict, this is the stage of wars and severe fighting, resulting in killings, injuries, large scale population displacements, and the use of small arms and light weapons.
(iv) The Outcome Stage: This is the stage where the violence is decreased. It is assumed that every conflict passes through this stage, in one way or the other.
Either one side wins and another loses, or a ceasefire may be declared. It is also possible that one side may surrender, or the government or other third party intervening forces may step in to impose a solution and stop the fighting.
(v) The Post-Conflict Stage: At this stage, violence has either ended or reduced tremendously. This is the stage to address the underlying causes of the conflict, those incompatible goals which created the conflict in the first instance, such as the needs and fears of the parties. This is when the issues have to be addressed to avoid a relapse of the situation.
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Perspectives to a Conflict
The perspective of a conflict refers to a particular way a conflict is understood and interpreted by the parties involved, and also sometimes by independent observers.
Perspectives are standpoints, beliefs, opinions, values and views that the parties in conflict and other people around hold about the conflict. Most of the time, these views are in conflict with each other, mainly because they are coming from the interests and positions of the different parties in the conflict. Some perspectives may also spring from the needs of the parties. In most cases, the perspectives of parties in a conflict are different, but there could also be areas of agreement. Such areas of agreement could become useful common grounds which could help in the process of conflict transformation (Best125).
Parties to a Conflict
Parties to a conflict are individuals or groups who are involved in the conflict either directly or indirectly, based on the interests they have to pursue and protect; or because they have the opinion or belief that their interests, positions and needs are being threatened in one way or the other. Indirect parties are those allies or friends who help the main parties to achieve their interests, with the hope of fulfilling their own personal interests or benefit for it at the end of it all. It is usually necessary to capture such parties so that efforts at conflict transformation or de-escalation will include them. This will help in a peace plan.
2.5 POSITIONS, INTERESTS, NEEDS AND FEARS DURING CONFLICTS During conflicts, the different parties involved will be pursuing one or more of certain factors. This they do either consciously or unconsciously, in order to justify their involvement in the particular conflict. These factors have been identified as positions, interests, needs and fears of the parties involved (Best 130).
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The positions of parties are the stands which the opposing parties take and maintain about the particular issue in contention. They are usually very different from those of others. Positions are what parties say they want, and these are indeed wants, not needs. A position is based on the fears of a party, how it understands the conflict, and how they think they can protect their interest in the best way they can. Positions are usually not compromised. However most positional stands do not, in reality, reflect what they actually need.
Interests are values pursued by individuals or groups during conflicts. These values may be immediate or distant benefits that such parties may obtain. Interests may be what the different parties really want, but again, not what they really need. Interests usually come in the form of favours, material gain, concessions, etc. During conflicts, it is not common for parties to reveal their interests. Sometimes, it is not the entire group that will obtain the interests, but only certain individuals or sections of the group.
Needs and fears go hand-in-hand. Needs are what the parties must have, but these are often not noticed and discussed. They are only discovered and identified through a careful analysis of the conflict, and through a mechanism of dialogue between the parties. There are times or occasions when parties may really identify their needs, but may not want to talk about them, and keep on emphasizing their positions. However, it is only when the needs and fears of the opposing parties are addressed that the conflict can be resolved or transformed.
Fears refer to those situations and conditions which make parties restless and worried. They often bring about uncertainty and a sense of threat to their existence and survival. Therefore parties are always out to protect their values, identity, security, and any privileges they may have.
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