Land and natural resource conflicts continue to be a problem in various regions in Indonesia, especially for local communities and indigenous peoples. The abundant natural resources often become a point of contention between these communities, the government, and corporations, and it’s this competition that ignites conflict. A key factor in how these conflicts are addressed, and the outcomes they produce, is the balance of power between the conflicting parties.  While there are certainly exceptions, in many cases of conflict between communities and corporations or the government, the communities find themselves in a weaker position, potentially leading to losses and disadvantages in the conflict resolution process.

Indeed, when facing conflict, communities often encounter obstacles such as limited access to information, social disorganization and weak leadership, internal divisions, individual figure dominance, and insufficient support from other institutions, leaving them in a weak bargaining position. When faced with greater forces in land conflicts, people could be intimidated, pitted against each other, coerced, and even criminalized so that their struggle for justice becomes very difficult. Mediation and other alternative conflict resolution mechanisms might still be possible, but they would represent a very arduous path.

In conclusion, achieving fair and effective conflict resolution requires strengthening bargaining power through community empowerment. This can be accomplished in various ways, including raising awareness of the issues, building internal solidarity, providing access to information, forging external coalitions and support, developing negotiation skills, and more. A well-organized community with sufficient information and adequate support is more likely to reach a fair and sustainable resolution. Therefore, the power dynamics between the parties involved must be given careful consideration from the very beginning of a conflict assessment. The role of facilitators and support organizations is crucial and decisive in this regard. 

But it’s crucial to remember that this is only part of the story. It’s certainly ideal if, with proper guidance, community members can prepare themselves to enter negotiations with sufficient strength and push for a fair, win-win agreement. However, this is often where the issue of power resurfaces; namely, the power to implement the agreed-upon terms and the power to ‘hold accountable’ other parties involved in the agreement.  In its experience, CRU Indonesia has encountered numerous cases of natural resource conflicts that, despite being resolved through negotiations resulting in seemingly good agreements, continue to linger. This is because the parties involved lack the necessary strength to carry out the agreement and are unable to compel others to fulfill their obligations within it.  

In short, striking a deal through negotiation is only half the battle. In land and natural resource conflicts, strength isn’t just about negotiating prowess, it’s about the ability to implement and sustain agreements over the long haul. To that end, building strength is crucial not only for establishing a strong “bargaining chip” during negotiations but also for fostering a long-term vision to execute agreements and collaborate with all parties involved. What’s more, it takes real strength to minimize the chances of new conflicts cropping up down the line, to address them effectively so they can be resolved swiftly without escalating, and ideally, to prevent them altogether.

With that kind of long-term vision, the strength that needs to be built isn’t just temporary solidarity, but broader empowerment. Economic resilience is the key to protecting society from economic pressure or the lure of unfair compensation. Education and capacity building empower communities to understand negotiation strategies and the legal aspects of land conflicts, which are absolutely essential. More than just bargaining, the community must ensure that agreements are enforced. The strengthening of these elements increases the bargaining power of the community and the effectiveness of their fight for their rights. Community facilitators play a critical role in helping communities understand their rights, design advocacy strategies, and connect them with a broad network of supporters.

Photo by Barkah Wibowo on Unsplash.