Shooting from the lip
which were all fluid.
“2: Be as inclusive as possible of all parties when negotiating peace.
“3: There should be as few preconditions for negotiations as possible to encourage all to participate.
“4: Providing security is critical in peace processes.
“5: The role of third parties should not be exaggerated. However, they can play a positive role in mediating conflict.
“6: Economic aid is integral to peacebuilding and is part of a multitrack peace process.
“7: Peace processes are often negotiated by political elites, but it is important to focus on…grass-roots reconciliation.
“8: Peace processes require intense engagement with the issues.
“9: “The peace process should support the moderates who take risks for peace so that they are not outflanked by critics (spoilers) of the peace process.
“10: Changes in world politics and the domestic circumstances… may help the conditions that make peace more likely.”
Those are the author’s lessons, from decades-long attempts at peace, by leaders like Bill Clinton, John Hume, David Trimble, Gerry Adams, Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern and many more. And that was just on the surface. Underground, counter-insurgency, counter-intelligence and covert wars raged – to position the chess pieces favourably on the board above.
Most lessons appear to be generic no-brainers. But ignore the basics at your peril. Back in RSA, many “wars” rage.
One is astounded by our internecine battles – self-sabotaging our collective efforts. Wrecking common purpose and stopping crucial momentum in its tracks.
Peace doesn’t happen by itself. It requires two crucial resources.
First: Extraordinary patience, to see proper process through.
As Henry Ford said: “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”
And, second: Sometimes, it’s not the people with the highest “security clearance” who forge the peace. But those with the highest “maturity clearance”.
Peace be with you.