Message from the Editor: Mitigating the Role of Natural Resources in Conflict

Dear Reader,

Last month the Belgian government facilitated a seminar at the United Nations in New York to examine the connection between natural resources and armed conflicts. In this edition of the Human Security Bulletin we continue to provide our readers with current developments in human security by publishing the content of some of those presentations.

Natural resources constitute a potential asset for development. However, if resources are mismanaged, they also represent a threat to peace and security. In the past decade the ‘resource curse’ theory has gradually gained acceptance in academic and policy circles as a growing body of evidence has solidified the link between natural resources and armed conflict through the impact of resource dependence on economic performance and governance. There is also much evidence linking the prolongation of hostilities to the availability of accessible rents for rebellions, as recently demonstrated in places such as Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to Ian Bannon and Paul Collier, close to 50 armed conflicts in 2001 had a strong link to resource exploitation.

As the dynamics of the link between resources and conflict have become clearer, numerous attempts to break that linkage have taken shape. Solutions such as the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme for diamonds are often novel in scope, while others, including U.N. Expert Panels and NGO campaigns, are unprecedented in their boldness. However, as with any new initiative, they are not without criticism. This edition of the Human Security Bulletin begins to address the necessity for the assessment and reform of the instruments for the resolution of resource conflicts.

Philippe Le Billon examines how various Security Council mechanisms have been used to mitigate past conflicts and makes suggestions for their improvement in current and future scenarios. Global Witness’ Patrick Alley provides a concise analysis of other instruments addressing conflict resources and calls for greater international coherence in the effort. Drawing from his extensive experience in positions at Chatham House, on U.N. Expert Panels, and with Human Rights Watch, Alex Vines assesses the utility of Security Council Sanctions and recommends numerous areas for improvement.

In addition, more information on natural resources and armed conflict has been complied in a list of key resources on the topic. This issue also contains new human security publications and a CCHS Fellow Profile of Tom Delaginnis, who also studies the role of resources in conflict.

Some of today’s gravest threats to human security are related to resources, arguably including conflicts in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Iraq has demonstrated the dangers of authoritarianism and militarism in relation to the oil sector, while the narcotics sector plays a part in the insecurity prevailing in Afghanistan. Resource access remains an influential factor in determining the length and severity of conflicts and affects the complexity of post-conflict reconstruction. Canada and Canadian firms are major players in many resource sectors. As such, it is our responsibility both to fully understand the resource-conflict connection, and to work to improve the effectiveness of attempts to break that connection, particularly against a backdrop of growing environmental uncertainty. In addition, as Canada becomes more involved in failed states – the most at risk of succumbing to the resource curse – it will be in our national interest to invest in solving the conflict resource conundrum.

CCHS is grateful to the contributors for providing the content of their presentations to this edition of the Human Security Bulletin. Special thanks to Kevin Macdonald for his technical assistance and to Philippe Le Billon for providing feedback and connecting CCHS with his colleagues.

Enjoy this edition of the Human Security Bulletin. We welcome your feedback.
Lindsay Mackenzie
cchs.hq@ubc.ca

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