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As nonpermanent Security Council member, develop peacebuilding platform
Indonesia’s claim as the “true partner for peace” is actually not unfounded. As one of the most diverse countries, its potential for conflicts, even a breakup, is not minor.
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The chamber of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in New York. (Shutterstock.com/Andrea Izzotti)
I
ndonesia’s recent election to the nonpermanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) provides an opportunity for the country to develop a true peacebuilding platform.
Indonesia had been running a campaign for this seat on the “true partner for peace” theme, and indeed during the past year, Indonesia had attempted a peacemaking overture in Afghanistan and offered to mediate in Myanmar’s troubles with its ethnic minority.
However, in the absence of a real peacebuilding platform, these overtures are unlikely to be sustainable, especially now that the campaign for the UNSC has been won.
Indonesia’s claim as the “true partner for peace” is actually not unfounded. As one of the most diverse countries, its potential for conflicts, even a breakup, is not minor.
Indeed, various conflicts have marred the country throughout the years, but the fact that Indonesia remains intact as a country with the same territorial size as when it was proclaimed more than 70 years ago is a testament to Indonesia’s skills at managing these conflicts.
Since reformasi, these skills seemed to have been honed and have reached a level of proficiency that cannot be belittled. While the separatist conflict in Aceh was facilitated by the Finland-based Crisis Management
Initiative in 2005, Indonesia was able to solve a number of ethnic and religious conflicts, such as in Ambon in Maluku and Poso in Central Sulawesi, pretty much on its own wherewithal.
