Peacebuilding &conflict transformation A ... - Peaceworkafrica

the issues at hand lose importance, while the interpretationof the opponent(s) behaviour gains importance.▶ The parties start to withdraw from the conflict and turn away fromeach other.Segregation stage▶ The parties have moved away completely from each other.▶ No more direct communication between the parties.▶ Communication is restricted to voicing threats; anger and aggressionagainst the opponent(s) lead all thoughts and plans of actions.▶ The ability to listen to proposals coming directly from the opponent(s)no longer exists.Destruction stage▶ The opposing party is dehumanized in order to justify not only thoughts,but also actions of aggression and violence against the other(s).▶ Communication consists solely of direct violence or complete silence.▶ The goal of all thoughts and activities is the damage or the ruin of theopponent(s).6.3.3 Conflict is like fire – five stages of escalationThis model compares the escalation of a conflict with lighting a bonfire. The laststage in this model includes the transformation that follows if acceptable solutionsare found.Gathering materialfor the firePotential or latentconflictIn this early stage, material to makea bonfire is collected. There is no fire yet,but all the material needed like firewood —some drier than others — is available.Movements to light the wood can beobserved.People in this conflict stage experienceunjust structures and violence in socialsystems. The conflict is not yet an agendafor the general society. But peopleare not satisfied and are consciousof the existing problems.6 . T h e d y n a m i c s o f c o n f l i c t s a n d v i o l e n c e 167