ABSTRACT
Commonly, conflict between groups begins from a social reality of coexistence. In most if not all cases, after the conflict has taken its toll of suffering, the parties begin to negotiate their disagreements with the aim of concluding a deal to reestablish coexistence. If negotiations are successful the conflict is said to be resolved and peaceful coexistence is expected to prevail again. Yet, events in Northern Ireland, South Africa, and most notably the Middle East tell us postagreement reality is mixed. Together with hopes for peaceful coexistence, there is always the danger of violence that threatens to undo what had been achieved. Even in the postresolution period, relations between former enemies continue to be characterized by mistrust, stereotypes, and implicit animosity. All this serves to remind us that coexistence is the outcome of long processes of peacebuilding and reconciliation rather the result of a single stroke of a pen on an agreement. These processes of postresolution (i.e., peacebuilding and reconciliation) are at the center of the present contribution.
