Building paths to peace: Bo Peace and Reconciliation Movement

Collaboration with the state

As a rule BPRM will only intervene in the larger conflicts if both communities agree and state authorities are aware of their involvement. However, mistrust can sometimes stall the process and postpone BPRM’s participation and frustrate a speedy solution to the conflict.

With the prevalence of national apathy towards the failing justice system, BPRM are working to promote an alternative approach to justice by incorporating representatives of both the traditional and formal justice system in their methods of reconciliation. Chiefs represent the traditional system while Court Chairmen represent the formal system.

BPRM have worked hard to develop links with decentralized local government structures and traditional administration that includes the chiefs, the police and the Office of National Security (ONS) which is responsible for the coordination of state security. Such links are fraught with challenges. In some cases chiefs admitted that they made income through fines during their traditional role as mediators. BPRM’s free service posed a threat to this, yet they still valued their intervention and dialogue continues to help manage losses.

The ONS’ Provincial Security Coordinator in the south, Ismail Tarawali, believes that BPRM is well structured to collaborate with on conflict cases as they are able “to gain the confidence of the factions as a neutral body” and being at community level are “well placed to identify potential conflict areas.” BPRM have cooperated with the ONS on a number of cases, including the Niawa-Lenga conflict which Ismail Tarawali “was deeply involved in together with Councillors. We gave policy acceptance to BPRM which means that (their intervention) is recognized by Government.”

Some voluntary peace monitors also hold the position of Court Chairman within the traditional court system. They are more likely to ask opposing parties in a case if they want to seek a neutral negotiating body, like a peace monitor, to try to solve their case outside the court in order to avoid potentially heavy fines from the court. This allied relationship helps to promote the concept of collaboration to achieve justice for the community. Increasingly, traditional chiefs and elders are requesting training in leadership and peace building skills, which is a positive sign that they interpret BPRM’s methods as worthy of adopting in their roles as community leaders.

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