Building paths to peace: Bo Peace and Reconciliation Movement

Making peacebuilding work: the process of peace

Since the war affected mainly rural communities, BPRM believe that the long-term process of building peace and reconciliation needs to take place in these communities. They do this by supporting community and traditional authorities to explore and develop alternative approaches to conflict resolution.

The key to BPRM’s success lies in their approach. A foundation of their methodology is the use of ‘peace monitors’. These are individuals highly respected by society as sensitive and, more importantly, neutral intermediaries. This innovative system relies on the provision of regular conflict management training of BPRM’s peace monitors. As well as focusing on key aspects of conflict resolution, training is on issues of justice and human rights. This is combined with recollecting local traditional methods of compromise and conflict settlement. Their approach in resolving conflicts has developed over time because of good practice and learning lessons along the way. Conflicts are first identified through thepeace monitors’ links to communities or through direct approaches to BPRM by parties in a conflict.

In the larger disputes, BPRM sends in a select group of staff and peace monitors to assess the details of the conflict. BPRM then draws up a strategy for intervention.

They ensure that members of the initial assessment group are of a similar age, sex, political standing, and sometimes religious affiliation to their peers involved in the conflict. This allows for a connection between the facilitators of peace and conflicting parties that instils confidence.

Depending on the type of dispute, the process of achieving a resolution is long and requires months of meetings and dialogue. After relationships have been established with the various conflicting parties, BPRM facilitates small groups where community members analyse the causes, consequences and solutions to their conflict using several methods including skits and role-plays. Critical to the sustainability of a resolution is BPRM’s inclusion of marginalized groups, such as women, youth and those who had committed atrocities, allowing them to dialogue with those who traditionally hold the power. These forums become larger and larger until they are a public one where there is commitment to finding ways forward. BPRM’s Coordinator, Hassan Feika believes that “done well, peacebuilding presents opportunities for collective decision-making and for young people and women to participate in developing and governing their communities. It also creates the right conditions for people to make a living.”

This process is also strengthened because BPRM’s members have a deep understanding of the social and cultural practices within which their peacebuilding work takes place. Their understanding of  the importance of religious beliefs or traditional practices allows them to fully engage with community members. A great deal of importance is given to the pouring of libation. Traditionally this ceremony is to appease the ancestors or gods and often takes the form of pouring a beverage on the ground or reading parts of the Koran, depending on the communities’ beliefs.

Another key element of their approach is that BPRM’s peace monitors help to identify and train community members as voluntary peace monitors who, in turn, form Chiefdom Peace and Reconciliation Committees (CPRC’s). These Committees empower communities to deal with new disputes, effectively maintaining peace and stability. They also allow BPRM’s work to have wider impact. BPRM have prospered and left a legacy of citizen-groups who don’t wield weapons but carry the tools of reconciliation.

A team of 18 peace monitors are made up of representatives from the nine organizations that form BPRM. Peace monitors are not only able to help negotiate local peace agreements but also to identify and address early signs of potential conflict within communities.  This can range from discrimination to veiled discontent that has created fundamental social divisions that could potentially develop into violence.

Peace monitors help perform parts of the traditional role of community elders by intervening in disputes and negotiating a peaceful solution, albeit outside the local court system. With the knowledge that peace monitors do not issue fines, as local and state courts may do, people seek their help in settling disputes and their participation in larger conflicts. As facilitators, they face many challenges, but as their successes grow and people are inspired by the simplicity of learning to respect and understand others, BPRM hopes to bring peace of mind to the people of southern Sierra Leone.

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