Armed conflicts worldwide cannot be solved in 2 to 3 years, says World Bank

MANILA, Philippines - Armed conflicts in countries experiencing civil unrest cannot be resolved in two to three years, the a study conducted by the World Bank (WB) showed.

“Solving a long-running conflict takes a very long time. You can’t do it in two or three years. A common mistake we make in the international community is we think that these problems can be sorted out in three or five years,” said WB executive Nigel Roberts, co-director of the World Bank’s Development Report (WDR) 2011.

He said countries affected by conflict should face the problem realistically.

“But in reality, from the experience of other countries which have had civil and/or interstate wars, it would commonly take around 20 to 40 years before the mission of peace settlements and social rehabilitation can be truly achieved,” Roberts said.

Having a peace agreement is an important step but should be followed by efforts occurring in the community and government levels.

The government, in particular, must specifically look at re-establishing the confidence of the people. It can then rebuild institutions that would support its development goals. 

“All of these things will take a long time,” Roberts said.

Every year, the WB chooses a particular area in international development to study.

And this year, the institution studied global violence, being an extensive international problem.

In the report, researchers studied the threats posed by organized violence such as civil and political wars to the growth of less developed countries.

They studied civil and political wars resulting from criminal activity and their connection to governance and development.

The Philippines was not made a sample in the study but Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Quintos-Deles said the findings of the WB would be useful in guiding the development track of the peace process, branded as PAMANA (Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan or Peaceful and Resilient Communities).

PAMANA is the government’s flagship program for peace and development, particularly in areas of conflict.