Natural resources and conflict resolution: a Guide for Mediation Practitioners

  • Nakayama M
  • Jensen D
  • Branch M
  • et al.
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Abstract

The film "blood diamonds" is a Hollywood production addressing the battle for diamonds in Sierra Leone. The control over resources is used to finance the wars in Angola, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The outcome is finally the Kimberly process. In theory one finds the argument that resource – rich countries are more endangered to have resources than resource – poor countries. It is larger, when resource extraction accounts for more than 30% to the gross national production. An exception are countries with large oilfields and the low population such as Brunei, Dubai on Kuwait, where the revenues can be used to make people benefit from the profits. The civil war in Liberia is a typical resource conflict. Warlord Charles Taylor financed his army by controlling and selling timber and diamonds. The Congo conflict resulted in over formerly and deaths. Six different countries were involved in that conflict, as well as a number of rebel groups plundering resources. These included: coltan, goods, gold, cobalt, timber, diamonds, and other precious stones. Rwanda and Uganda plaid active roles in the exploitation process. Some resources may cause more tension and others. Oil for example office a source for easy money through rent seeking and corruption with foreign auto companies. Timber, gems and minerals other typical conflict resources. Resources often found in remote areas and are difficult to control. Foreign companies that are involved in exploitation often widen existing social inequalities in the country, it can law the rights of local communities, tried to evade taxation by corruption, and support authoritarian regimes to safeguard the interests. Conflict prevention measures are protection of community rights and raising their living standards, as well as fighting corruption. The Kimberley process certification scheme (KP) is internationally led and was set up to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds. KP currently involves 71 participants from 40 countries and the European Union. "Conflict resources on natural resources was systematic exploitation and trade in the context of conflict contribute to, benefit from a result in the commission of serious violations of human rights, violations of international humanitarian law all violations amounting to crimes under international law" (Global Witness 2007: The Sinews of War, internet source).

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APA

Nakayama, M., Jensen, D., Branch, M., Pratap, A., Bruch, C., Unruh, J., & Webersik, C. (2015). Natural resources and conflict resolution: a Guide for Mediation Practitioners. Water (p. a). United Nations department of Political Affairs and United Nations Environment Programme. Retrieved from http://www.unccd.int/Lists/SiteDocumentLibrary/Publications/2015Feb_UNDPA_UNEP_NRC_Mediation_full.pdf

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