May 28, 2018

International Politics and Conflict Resolution

Maria Raquel Freire

The lack of an empirical definition of reconciliation has left room for conceptual stretching, poor analytic differentiation, and measurement problems. To mitigate this lack of precision, I use a concept-building technique to suggest a definition that bridges the gap between theory and empirics. The result is a concept of reconciliation whose defining attributes are inclusion, truth, and justice. I then unpack reconciliation down to its indicators, adding precision and facilitating its assessment on a practical level. Based on this conceptualization, my study also argues for the categorization of reconciliation into subtypes - minimal reconciliation, alethea reconciliation, and righteous reconciliation. These subtypes allow for a more nuanced labelling of cases located in the "gray zone," where one or more dimensions of reconciliation are not present. This categorization is particularly important because it adds precision not only to within-case analysis but also to cross-case comparisons. I apply this theoretical framework to the case of Mozambique, which experienced a protracted civil war (1977-1992) between the Frente de Libertação de Moçambique (Frelimo) and the Resistência Nacional Moçambicana (Renamo) following its independence from Portugal in 1975. It was one of the bloodiest conflicts in Africa, with approximately one million casualties. Despite the war crimes and human rights abuses associated with the armed conflict, neither a trial nor a truth commission were implemented in the country. Coupled with amnesty, the traditional rituals - performed by traditional healers mostly in the rural areas of the country - represented Mozambique's formula for success in terms of reconciliation. Nevertheless, this narrative of success fell apart as the country experienced the return of the violent conflict in 2012. My revision of the case suggests that while during the first years after the General Peace Agreement (GPA) the level of reconciliation was fairly high, its development deteriorated considerably until the renewal of the armed conflict. In addition, my analysis suggests that amnesty and the traditional rituals have played a complementary role in pacifying the country, but not necessarily contributing to its reconciliation process.
Methodologically, my thesis employs a multi-method approach for data collection and analysis. While the conceptbuilding exercise works as the foundation for the conceptualization and operationalization of reconciliation, a counterfactual analysis, semi-structured interviews, archival research of newspapers, NGOs reports, IGOs documents, and data coded by country experts inform my new interpretation of the case of Mozambique.

Keywords: Reconciliation; Transitional Justice; Conceptualization; Mozambique; Amnesty