In the words of United Nations Secretary General: The UN is committed to seek participation and contribution of NGOs in its work, new approaches, attitudes, methods, and responses are required throughout the United Nations system if we are to meet this challenge effectively. Article 71 of the United Nations recognizes the contributions that non-governmental organization can provide to the goals of the United Nations. NGOs can contribute to the maintenance of peace and security by offering non-violent avenues for addressing the root causes of conflict at an early stage. Moreover, NGOs can be an important means of conducting Track 11 diplomacy when government and international organization are unable to do so.

Recognition of the role of non-government organizations and their contributions to the goals of the United Nations goes back to Article 71 of the UN Charter. This view, however, has been reiterated and strengthened by the NGO Millennium Forum that urged that the UN and a broad coalition of
civil society organizations be more proactive in conflict prevention. An NGO may request accreditation for a special United Nations conference establish working relations with special bodies of then, associate itself with the United Nations Department of Information or ask for consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN(ECOSOC). For some time now, NGOs have performed important and collaborative roles in working with UN
departments, agencies, programs and funds in helping to provide support in humanitarian assistance, monitoring for human rights, refugee assistance, strengthening the role of women and numerous other areas.

 
Moreover, NGOs have been active in providing conflict resolution through track-two diplomatic efforts. However, the challenge of collaborative efforts for conflict prevention among NGOs and other elements of civil society, and between these entities and the United Nations’ system of organizations and member states, maybe somewhat more difficult to accomplish and we might need much more creative thinking to move forward. One factor that must be considered in this respect is the issue of state sovereignty. In an age when almost all conflicts are internal, conflict prevention can sometimes be perceived as interference in the affairs of the government, that in the end have the essential responsibility for conflict prevention.

NGOs contribute to determining the root causes of violent conflict in all its varied forms. A clearer understanding of the many and varied means of interacting with member states, civil society, other NGOs, and the United Nations goes a long way in strengthening the capacity of states and the international community in dealing with potential violent conflict. The past decade in Africa has witnessed an opening up political processes, from the local level all the
way to the continental body, African Union. Civil society organizations played a crucial role in this democratic renewal in the aftermath of the Cold War.
African human rights groups, religious bodies, activists, and academics have been at the forefront of demands for greater probity and accountability of governments. In the realm of peace and security CSOs are integral to conflict resolution, reconciliation, and reconstruction.

Transformation of the OAU into the African Union (AU) changed the organization from a multilateral forum for African leaders elected and unelected towards genuine partnership with all segments of society and a sense of ownership by the African people. The Constitutive Act of the AU provides for Pan- African Parliament and Economic, Social and Cultural Council as a portal for civil society engagement. Civil society organizations have a key role to play in conflict prevention, as they constitute a powerful force for promoting good governance and human rights. They also play a crucial role in ensuring that national and international development policies are designed and implemented in a way that is sensitive to conflict risks and the prevailing socio-economic environment.
Civil society needs are immense and include such components as access to information, development of advocacy skills, on key policy and programming issues, enhanced conflict analysis skills as well as coalition and network building.

Tamsanqa Mlilo
Director at Mediation for Peace and Human Rights Centre