John Paul Lederach, pioneer of conflict transformation, introduced the concept in the 1990s. In his book Little Book of Conflict Transformation, he also presented the big picture. This model provides researchers with a lens through which they can view the conflict as a whole, considering every aspect and proposing solutions.
The Lederach Model is divided into three stages, also known as inquiries. Inquiry one investigates the presenting situation. This further consists of three layers. The most profound layer inquires about history, which mainly shows the “epicenter” (root cause) of the conflict. Then, the middle layer shows the patterns that explain the events that brew up the conflict. These patterns are also called different “episodes.” The last and topmost layer presents the contemporary issues caused by the conflict. These issues, highlighted in inquiry number one, must be sorted out.
Therefore, the solutions to the fissures are proposed in inquiry two. Inquiry Two, which is also known as “Horizon of the Future,” proposed effective solutions for the present issues.
It raises questions like, what do we hope to build, and what would we ideally like to see in place? How can we address all levels? The present situation pushes us to take action.
Meanwhile, Horizon of the Future harnesses an impulse pointing to possibilities for what could be constructed and built. The development plan that brings the proposed solutions to practical manifestations is explained in inquiry three. Inquiry three of the Lederach model gives a constructive plan for the solutions.
The solutions can be relational, cultural, personal, and structural. Solutions from relational transformation require cooperation and friendly relations between the states. It aims to create plans to mitigate animosity between countries and foster good relations. Then, cultural transformation is brought to narrow down the cultural barriers if found in any conflict. This plan proposed solutions for inclusiveness, cultural understanding among locals, and harmony.
Personal transformation refers to the cognitive side of conflicting parties. This requires the individuals to change their character and maximize their physical, emotional, and spiritual growth. The last solution is through structural transformation. This plan calls for better employment opportunities, robust governance, the rule of law, and a strong defense system.
In short, the Lederach Model of Conflict Transformation goes beyond negotiating solutions and builds towards something new. Such a framework emphasizes the challenges of ending something that is not desired and how to make something that is desired.
Inquiry One
Afghanistan is a protracted conflict marked by consistent turbulence in the past decades. The country witnessed neither a pure democracy nor a proper monarchy. Each government or monarch established was overthrown by the opposition. The turning point in Afghan history was when the USSR invaded the country from its northern borders in 1979. This attempt by the USSR led them to suffer severe repercussions. In the context of Lederach’s model, this event is called the Epicentre because it gave birth to the coming devastating episodes in Afghanistan.
The Afghan-Soviet War (1979-89) continued for 11 long years. The war wreaked havoc in all parts of the country. Externally, forces were also supporting it. For instance, the role of Pakistan in training the Afghan Mujahideen is still remembered as a valiant attempt to assist its Muslim brothers in such a crucial time.
Pakistan, which the USA was funding, extended its utmost support to the Afghan Mujahideen by supplying them with American ammunition, teaching guerrilla warfare tactics, and sharing its territory with Afghan refugees.
After a long struggle of 11 years, the mujahideen were able to defeat the tremendous Soviet army and force them to leave Afghanistan by signing the Geneva Accord of 1989.
The post-Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan led to even worse circumstances for Afghanistan. The anarchic situation in the center resulted in the civil war between seven Mujahideen groups from 1992 to 1996. External forces again funded the civil war due to meager resources within the country.
The non-Pashtun groups situated in the northern parts of Afghanistan united and formed the Northern Alliance, while the Pashtun located in the southern belt of Afghanistan called themselves Taliban. The Northern Alliance, funded by America, and the Taliban, again trained and supported by Pakistan, led to more destruction in the country, which finally came to an end in 1996 when the Taliban took over the center and formed their government.
The first Taliban government in 1996 was marked by extremely weak governance, galloping inflation, a tattered economy, and zero support from the international community. The justice system was akin to nothing. Sharia law was only imposed; nothing went according to Islamic teaching. Thus, the Taliban were not able to do justice. The weakest government still worked for five years until it was overturned by American forces after 9/11.
9/11 was a tragic incident that still holds a significant place in world history. It was an attack on the Pentagon, Twin Towers, and World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The attack was claimed by the Afghanistan-based militant group Al-Qaeda. The Bush administration swiftly ordered the American forces to invade Afghanistan, eliminate the militants and their sanctuaries, and capture the perpetrators of the incident. The American and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) forces were able to capture the country and launched an operation, enduring the “War on Terror,” overturning the Taliban regime.
The decades-long war finally came to an end in January 2021 when the US troops withdrew from the country, and the Taliban again seized power in Afghanistan. It has been three years since Afghanistan has been recovering from the damage and chaos it has been through.
The episodes in the Afghanistan conflict have provided insight into the conflict, which will also resonate with the presenting issues causing turbulence in the country.
Afghanistan is a multi-ethnic country with various ethnicities, such as Tajiks (23%), Uzbeks (12%), Chihar (3%), and Pashtun (42%), constituting the majority in Afghanistan. This ethno-linguistic difference not only led to a civil war between different groups of ethnicities, but this factor is still providing a basis for the incumbent Taliban government’s weak governance system. This weak governance system gives birth to several other structural challenges, such as poor infrastructure, a weak education system, a weak economy, and isolation from the rest of the world.
Inquiry Two
The problems in Afghanistan call for immediate and sustainable solutions. Overall, the core solution to the Afghanistan conflict would be an inclusive government that provides equal representation to the ethnicities of Afghanistan. This would eventually lead to a better governance system, boosting the economy, fostering national integration, and improving the country’s infrastructure and education system.
Inquiry Three
Since the third inquiry of Lederach’s model suggested a development plan to bring the proposed solution into practical manifestation, the Afghanistan conflict can also be sorted out through an inclusive government. Many examples of governments in the contemporary world have mitigated their differences by creating a more accommodating government for all. One such example to follow and learn from is the Iraqi Governance Model. The representative council of Iraq consists of 392 members.
These include Shia Arabs, Sunni Arabs, Tajiks, Turkmen, etc. Iraq never fell prey to disintegration, despite wars, because of its concept of inclusive government. The same plan should be applied to Afghanistan, where in the Parliament of Afghanistan, Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, and other minorities should be given equal representation. This would eventually bring unity and cooperation among the members of the government, who will work together for progress.
Conclusion
Afghanistan has a history of political and structural turmoil, spanning generations and claiming countless lives. From the Soviet invasion to the fall and rise of the Taliban regime, the Afghan people paid the price of global decisions. Lederach’s model has done justice in explaining the deep-rooted Afghan fissures and proposed possible and sustainable solutions. The international community must address the structural gaps in Afghanistan, or else restlessness in one country will create turbulence in the entire region.
