THE ROLE OF TRACK II DIPLOMACY IN MANAGEMENT OF INTERNAL CONFLICTS; A CASE STUDY OF KENYA'S POST¬ ELECTORAL CONFLICT MANAGEMENT (2007-2008)

Abstract

This research set out to investigate the contribution of track II diplomacy in the conflict management process of Kenya’s post-electoral conflict in 2007-2008. The study set out three objectives to guide the research. First it sought to examine the role of Track II diplomacy in conflict management. Secondly the study examined the structure of track II diplomacy in electoral conflict management. And finally the study looked into the challenges that confront track II diplomacy in conflict management process. The study relied on both primary and secondary data to make its findings. The study generated a conclusion that track II diplomacy was utilized to achieve inclusive peace in Kenya. In this regard track II diplomacy sought to engage the peace initiative from the lowest level, where the ordinary citizens are based, and at the highest level where the national leaders are based to incorporate the interests of the people in legal and political decisions. The study observed that various challenges were encountered in the process of including the track II diplomacy in the negotiations. Most pronounced was the acceptability of the civil society organizations. Another challenge emanated from the delay in presenting the agenda items advanced by the civil society in the plenary. The challenges were a setback but through concerted lobbying and tactical advocacy, the agenda items finally formed part of the national accord. The study makes a few recommendations about the study but a fundamental prescription that would bolster the role of track II diplomacy in management of conflicts is to take into account the intrinsic and extrinsic inter-linkages of the conflict to accommodate the interests of various parties in the peace processes. Track II diplomacy should further focus on identifying various layers of the manifested conflict and carefully identify the root causes to inform the agenda and outcome of peace engagements. The track II diplomacy is therefore an essential tool that would attend to conflicts from relapsing in the future by reaching out into the grassroots, analyzing the conflict dynamics and suggesting sustainable approaches to conflict management.