You Can’t Kill a Louse with One Finger: Using Intra-group Conflict Resolution Practices to Resolve Inter-group Conflict

• In Event: Mananging Conflict and Contributing to Peace in Educational Settings

Abstract

In Karamoja, Uganda, both intergroup and intragroup conflict tends to be violent, often resulting in serious injury. Although intergroup conflict (between sub-tribes) has taken the predictable path to intractability, intragroup conflict (within the sub-tribe) has usually achieved complete reconciliation. The present essay suggests that uniquely appropriate interventions for addressing intractable intergroup conflict may be derived from analyzing the intragroup conflict resolution processes in the same context.

Author

• Lorelle Jabs, Seattle Pacific University