Conflict early warning and early response mechanisms in the I.G.A.D.sub-region: an analysis of the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict, 1996-2000
Abstract
The impetus of this study emanated from the quest to shift the focus
from reactive management of conflict to proactive prevention of conflict. This
shift lays emphasis on the significance of sub-regional organisations in conflict
early warning and early response. This is because these organizations are
familiar with regional conflicts and their proximity to conflict theatre enhances
layered response to conflict.
The study reviewed relevant secondary data on conflict early warning
and based its analysis on the Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict (1996-2000) as a case
study. The study builds on the theoretical discourses on conflict early warning
and early response, and delves into whether the existence of early warning
would have impaired or enhanced transformation of Ethiopia-Eritrea conflict.
Indicators of potential conflicts are highlighted and explicated. The overall
objective of the study is to analyse the role of early warning and response
mechanisms in the prevention and management of conflict.
The study observes that conflict preventive strategies are predicated on
conflict information and structured on conflict cycle. The study underscores the
challenges to conflict prevention and emphasizes the need to understand both
structural and dynamic causes of conflict in designing conflict early warning
systems. The centrality of information, resources, decision-making and political
will in effecting early response to conflict is observed. The study concludes by
recommending areas where further research is needed to enhance effective
conflict prevention.
Publisher
Institute of Diplomacy and International, University of Nairobi
Description
Masters of Arts in International Studies,