Building paths to peace: Bo Peace and Reconciliation Movement
“Training in conflict resolution has built pillars under our chiefdom and reduced tension making brokering relationships between elders and youths possible,” says Salieu Issa, voluntary peace monitor, Massa village.
Young men and boys try to make a living as 'wheelbarrow' pushers, offloading trucks and bringing them to the shops.
© Rosalind Hanson-Alp / Conciliation Resources
Vision for peace
BPRM work to prevent and transform conflict into opportunities where peace, reconciliation, human rights, and participatory governance can be established in order to stimulate social and economic development in communities. BRPM’s approach significantly helps to reduce some of the aggressive and negative impacts characteristic of a war- traumatized nation.
Some of the conflicts that existed among communities and individuals before the war were magnified by reprisals during the war leaving a legacy of deep resentments. It is BPRM’s aim to work with communities to unravel these simmering conflicts and heal the bitterness in order to make way for a more compassionate and development-focused population, with the abilities to manage future conflicts before they escalate.
BPRM also attempts to address the substantial resentment that still exists towards those who are connected to atrocities whether they were forced or participated voluntarily.
Reintegrating ex-combatants into communities is a lengthy and delicate process. One of the greatest challenges faced by BPRM in this process is that the stigma attached to ex-combatants discourages them from admitting their identity for fear of retribution. Another challenge is that for the war victims, letting go of their grievances and forgiving perpetrators takes time and requires a great deal of support. A focus for BPRM is to encourage communication and cooperation between the youths and elders to help reconcile the rift between them that was further aggravated by the war.
Their successes can be attributed to their ongoing personal support given to individuals and communities that helps the healing of broken relationships and encourages cohesion in the community.