Communal conflict, state failure, and peacebuilding: The case of Ambon, Indonesia

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: The violent conflict in Ambon, Indonesia (1999-2002) - which claimed more than 2,000 lives - occurred when a dominant ethnic group (Ambonese) was challenged by new ethnic groups (non-Ambonese: Bugis, Butonese, and Makassarese). The conflict intensified and evolved into a religious one between the Christians (mostly Ambonese) and the Moslems, consisting of Ambonese and the non-Ambonese. The absence of a long-term societal re-integration strategy that emphasized on the management of group diversities had resulted in a pseudo or fragile integration that led to societal disintegration. Following the regime change in 1998, a violent communal conflict or "politics by other means" occurred since the conduciveness of the local situation was related to national politics. Method: Using Ambon as a Case Study, the chapter analyzes the trajectory of the conflict and its resolution. Findings: The conflict grew more extensive ever since the failure of the state, particularly the police and the military that became partisans in order to protect their families or to benefit from security businesses. The peace building efforts took in several stages involving various social organizations as well as governments at the local and the national level. These processes were facilitated by general election or "war by other means" that transformed the violent conflicts to non-violent competition or from bullet to ballot.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationArmed Forces and Conflict Resolution
Subtitle of host publicationSociological Perspectives
EditorsGiuseppe Caforio, Gerhard Kummel, Bandana Purkayastha
Pages349-363
Number of pages15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Publication series

NameContributions to Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Development
Volume7
ISSN (Print)1572-8323

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