Peace Building in Post-Conflict Societies: A Study of the Process in Nicaragua

Peace building in post-conflict societies is a multi-component process, most important of which is finding lasting political solutions within the framework of nation states. What is most crucial is the initiation of the process of national reconciliation through dialogue with the internal unarmed opposition, former combatants, nay all the stakeholders to peace and stability within the country (and outside). Such process involves democratisation and free elections—i.e., participation of all political parties, freedom of expression and assembly. On the military front peace building involves demobilisation of all armed groups, disarmament, de-mining operations, and maintenance of ceasefire between former combatants. Another component of peace building is that of bridging the gap between emergency humanitarian relief and sustainable development. The gap between emergency humanitarian assistance and sustainable development must be bridged quickly to prevent the country from sliding back into the vortex of renewed conflict, violence, hatred and bloodshed. Peace building also involves questions of sovereignty, freedom of choice and self-determination of the affected nations themselves, which are relevant despite decades of globalisation. This article studies one such effort of peace building and sustainable development in a war-torn nation, Nicaragua, in the 1990s. This CIREFCA/PRODERE was a joint effort of the UNDP and UNHCR to find lasting solutions to the problems of refugees, internally and externally displaced persons, and returnees. Through the vehicle of Quick Impact Projects, rehabilitation of the war-ravaged communities was successfully completed in Nicaragua, which became the model for the UNHCR programmes in post-conflict societies all over the world.