Simon J A Mason is a senior researcher and head of the Mediation Support Team at the Center for Security Studies (CSS), Zurich. As part of the Mediation Support Project (a joint project of the CSS and Swisspeace, funded by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs) he focuses on mediation research, training and process support. He is one of the coordinators of the Mediation Support Network.
Read more from Simon:
This past quarter has seen northern Uganda’s traditional leaders try to reconcile former LRA abductees and combatants with their communities with a powerfully symbolic ceremony. But we are reminded that winning back the trust of family and neighbours takes a long time and hard work on both sides.
Local populations living in conflict zones often bear the brunt of armed violence. But they are not simply passive victims – their relationships with armed groups are much more complex, and can offer opportunities for building peace. A new Conciliation Resources’ publication Local engagement with armed groups: in the midst of violence, looks at how communities have been able to influence the behaviour of armed groups away from violence.
