CEDAC investigates the impact of armed violence on community relations on the DRC/Burundi border.

In light of the recent take-over of Goma, in the east of the DRC, by the rebel group M23 and continual rumours of opposition resurgence in Burundi, mistrust between the Congolese and Burundian communities either side of the border has been intensified. Adding further fuel to the fire is the increased cross border collaboration between rebel groups: for example, Front National pour la Revolution au Burundi has created a new alliance with the well organised M23. Consequently, any Congolese crossing the border is deemed to be facilitating the resurgence of armed violence in Burundi and Burundians crossing the border are suspected of illegally profiting from the DRC´s rich mineral resources. Distrust rather than cooperation is flourishing.

Responding to a potentially escalating climate of distrust, CEDAC with its international partners Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) and Search For Common Ground (SFCG) along with Vision GRAM – International (a local organisation in DRC) carried out a baseline survey in December and other activities to measure the impact of armed violence in border communities and promote cross border cooperation.  In four communities, Buganda and Rugombo in Burundi,  Sange and Ruvungi in the DRC, two hundred participants were interviewed to gage their level of confidence in the ability of state agents to protect, the general security context and the impact of Armed Violence on their life/community. Further information was gathered through an additional 25 in depth interviews.   CEDAC processed this information to come up with a course of action to promote cross border social cohesion.

Briefly, survey data suggested that armed violence continues to be prevalent at the border of Burundi and DRC, with mostly adult males as targets but also male children being recruited as child soldiers.  54% felt that armed violence came from across borders and the choice of weapon was usually firearms. A crisis of confidence has begun to settle between security services and communities, in which 54% have little to no confidence in law enforcement agencies to protect them. As a consequence of the armed violence, 37.2% of the respondents report psychological stress (insomnia, hopelessness, disconnection from community). These many signs of stigma and trauma among victims of armed violence deserve special attention at the community level to which CEDAC has carved its expertise.

A town hall meeting was organised in Cibitoke to share the results of the study and hold a discussion session where participants could ask questions about the research and provide initial feedback. Attendees worked in groups to provide ideas of potentially helpful programmes that CEDAC and its partners can develop in the region. Moreover, the validation meeting served as a forum for leaders and community members on both sides to hear new ideas put forth about possibilities for collaboration to reduce armed violence

A Eucalyptus tree planting activity occurred on the day following the validation meeting and held both practical and symbolic meanings.  The Eucalyptus tree is the national tree of Burundi but will grow and multiply quickly to be a visual symbol of burgeoning cross-border DRC/Burundian community cooperation. Furthermore, the Eucalyptus trees will anchor the loose topsoil stopping soil erosion and aid farming which is affected by heavy foot traffic sweeping away seeds before they have time to grow. Altogether 120 people took part in this activity and thanked CEDAC for initiating these cross border activities in which they can build vital links with communities on the other side of the border.

Rounding off CEDAC´s set of community building activities, a popular Burundian band Peace and Love performed to about 2,000 people in another area of Cibitoke. Holding the concert was a way of further publicising the projects aims of bringing people together.

Tbe Burundian group Peace and Love play to an audience of 2,000 people in Cibitoke to promote peaceful coexistence. 

Atelier de « la Résolution pacifique des conflits/

Dans le volet du rapprochement communautaire», des 29 agents villageois en provenance des sites Gateri, Buterere, Rukaramu et Maramvya et les animateurs dans le volet SILC de l’Association Biraturaba ont participé à un Atelier de Formation en Résolution Pacifique des Conflit tenue  du 04 au 06 Décembre 2012 á Bujumbura.

 Avec l´objectif de renforcer les capacités des agents villageois et des animateurs dans les sites ayant connu des conflits ou ayant accueilli beaucoup de réfugiés, afin de leur permettre de gérer pacifiquement et efficacement les problèmes conflictuels qui éclatent dans les familles et les communautés à la base en cette période post conflit. Les participants ont pu acquérir des techniques et ils ont approfondi beaucoup plus l’approche de la médiation

A la première phase de la formation, on a fait analyser du conflit avec les aspects suivantes comprendre d’abord l’contexte historique, identifier les différents individus ou groupes impliqués, écouter les perspectives de tous les groupes et découvrir les facteurs et tendances qui sous-tendent les conflits.                                                                                                                                           

L´une des participants explique comment les conflits naissent en disant que tout le monde voudrait être écouté, respecté et compris. Si on n’écoute pas son interlocuteur, il y a peu de chance qu’il vous écoute en retour. Alors, posez des questions et contentez-vous d’écouter et essayer de comprendre le point de vue de l’autre. Des fois les conflits prennent source dans le manque d’informations  sur l’autre ou de croyances erronées dans la communication.     

A la longue- terme, quand la résolution des conflits par la médiation deviendra une pratique courante et répandue, les palabres et les jugements diminueront dans les juridictions traditionnelles et dans les tribunaux. Et de la diminution ou l’absence de conflit résulteront la solidarité et la stabilité politique qui donneront lieu aux initiatives et actions de développement des communautés.

Le facilitateur de la formation, Monsieur Blaise GAHUNGU, a invité les participants à organiser beaucoup de séances d’écoute pour des fins de médiation afin que les connaissances acquises pendant la formation soient maîtrisées et partagées. C’est par la pratique que les bénéficiaires de chaque site pourront se renforcer eux-mêmes avant de pouvoir transmettre leurs compétences aux autres de la communauté.

L’atelier a été clôturé á la troisième journée par la remise des certificats aux bénéficiaires de la formation.

Participants de l´Atelier de la resolution pacifique des conflits/ Participants in the workshop on the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

In the “community building” section of CEDAC´s project, supported by American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), 29  community representatives from the provinces of Gateri, Buterere, Rukaramu and Maramvya ,in addition to members of CEDAC´s project partner the Biraturaba  Association, participated in a training workshop on the Peaceful Resolution of Conflicts on the4^th -’6^th December in Bujumbura.

With the objective of reinforcing the community representatives and leaders´ capacity of resolving conflicts, above all in places which have been deeply affected by previous conflicts or have received a lot of refugees, the participants will be able to efficiently and peacefully manage disputes that threaten to break up families and communities in this post-conflict period.  The community representatives have been able to acquire techniques and deepened their knowledge of using mediation.

In the first part of the workshop, participants learnt to analyse conflict by considering the following points ; understanding its background context, identifying individuals or groups of actors implicated, listening to all the different perspectives and discovering the factors and trends that underpin it.  It was realised that there are many different types of conflict.

One of the participants explained how conflicts come about, saying that everyone wants to be listened to, respected and understood. If one does not listen to the person addressing them, there is little chance that they will be listened to in return. So one must ask questions, be prepared to listen and try to understand the others point of view.  Sometimes conflicts take root due to lack of information or erroneous beliefs in how to communicate effectively.

In time, when conflict resolution through mediation becomes a common and widespread practice, the endless arguments and cases will decrease in both the traditional courts and state courts. The decrease or absence of conflict will result in solidarity and political stability giving place to actions and initiatives of community development.

The trainer, Mr Blaise GAHUNGU, encouraged the participants to organise a lot of listening sessions to practice mediation, so that the knowledge acquired during the training session may be mastered and shared. By practicing, the community representatives can strengthen their own skills before being able to transfer their skills to other members of the community. 
On the third day, the workshop ended by the handing out of certificates