[Conflict Intervention, Resolution and Reconciliation

A record number of ongoing armed conflicts puts the lives of millions at stake. Most armed conflicts have witnessed interventions by external unilateral or multilateral actors seeking to contain violence and foster peace, but their track record is mixed. Instruments such as military interventions, peace operations, sanctions, and mediation can reduce the intensity and duration of violence under certain conditions. Yet, they often fail to create sustainable peace, not least because they do not transform violent conflicts in ways that prevent their recurrence. Approaches such as security sector reform and transitional justice have been criticized for following a liberal script that pays insufficient attention to local realities and bottom-up perspectives, thereby failing to establish everyday peace. This seminar offers students a nuanced understanding of conflict intervention, resolution, and reconciliation. The analysis accounts for both macro-level patterns and micro-level dynamics, while also addressing pressing issues such as the gendered dimensions of peacebuilding and the role of religious actors and civil society. Empirically, the seminar focuses on the African continent, examining both ‘famous’ and lesser-known cases alongside cross-national analyses based on key studies as well as own empirical data.

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