International Journal of Research in Social Sciences
Vol. 8 Issue 2, February 2018,
ISSN: 2249-2496 Impact Factor: 7.081
Journal Homepage: http://www.ijmra.us , Email: editorijmie@gmail.com
Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International Journal - Included in the International Serial
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614
International Journal of Research in Social Sciences
http://www.ijmra.us , Email: editorijmie@gmail.com
Border Conflict Resolution Strategies
Between The Republic of Indonesia and The
Democratic Republic of Timor Leste in
Manusasi Section
Elpius Kalembang
1
,
Nurdien Harry Kistanto
2
,
Kushandajani
2
,
Ari Pradanawati
2
Abstract
The study aimed to identify conflict resolution strategies or approaches employed to settling
border disputes between the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste (East Timor) and the Republic
of Indonesia in Manusasi section. One-on-one in-depth interviews were used to collect the data
from the study participants recruited using snowball sampling technique. Data were analysed
using a framework analysis introduced by Ritchie and Spencer. The results indicated several
conflict resolution strategies or approaches that have been applied to settle Manusasi border
dispute among tribes from the two countries. They included conventional or traditional,
negotiation, and mediation approach. The use of conventional or traditional conflict resolution
approach has resulted in the division of the border into three zones: zone one (Indonesia), zone
two (neutral), and zone (East Timor). Negotiation approach that involved the governments of the
two countries, both at local and national level to initiate Manusasi border conflict resolution
seemed to fail. Likewise, mediation approach led by the United Nations as the third party to
mediate the tribes involved in the border conflict in Manusasi was ineffective. Arbitration or
international court was suggested as a future strategy to settle the problem if these three
1
Fakultas Ilmu Sosial and Ilmu Politik, Universitas Timor, Kefamenanu, Indonesia
2
Fakultas Ilmu Sosial and Ilmu Politik, Universitas Diponegoro Semarang, Indonesia