Resource information
This paper summarises the case for greater consideration of the economic dimensions of conflicts in mediation processes – particularly those concerning natural resources. The author highlights the recent United Nations Environment Programme publication, From Conflict to Peace building – the Role of Natural Resources and the Environment as further evidence of the need for this inclusion. For instance the report finds that:
40 per cent of all intrastate conflicts since 1960 have a link to natural resources
less than a quarter of peace agreements for conflicts with links to natural resources address the management and governance of natural resources
intrastate conflicts linked to natural resources are twice as likely to relapse within five years.
The author then highlights a number of reasons why economic issues have been sidelined in the mediation process:
mediators’ understandable focus on political and security-related issues
a perception that economic issues are in any case best addressed after peace agreements
the sensitivity of discussing the profit motives of parties directly and indirectly involved in the conflict.
The paper then details a number of recommendations to address economic issues. These include:
avoiding vested interests when choosing the mediators themselves
mapping the warring parties’ economic agendas and alliances
not apportioning natural resources as spoils of war
creating mechanisms to monitor economic issues post-agreement
putting lootable natural resources out of reach.
