Assessing the Influence of Truth-Telling and Justice on Reconciliation Process

• In Event: Post-conflict Peace and Reconciliation

Abstract

In the wake of conflict and atrocities which have become a predominant part of the international system, have created a series of scars in various societies due to the pain and trauma that people face during and after these violent activities. There have been series of processes and paths that policymakers, international organizations, and conflict strategists have put in place to help in curbing these violent activities and help in the healing process of these groups who were engaged in the conflict. However, reconciliation is seen as one of the processes of conflict resolution that can help in resolving these issues revolving around conflict, especially that of, civil and inter-ethnic conflict. Since reconciliation is made up of different mechanisms and strategies that tend to help shape the perspective, attitude, and the environment that had been created due to these civil and inter-ethnic conflicts. However, there has been limited attention given to the role that collective identity trauma has on post-conflict reconciliation process, mainly that of civil and inter-ethnic reconciliation processes. This paper attempts to answer this question by seeking to explore the conditions under which Truth-Telling and Justice influence reconciliation process using Sierra Leone and Liberia as my case study. This will be done through an intensive interview of parties from these two countries and delving deeply into archival documents by analyzing the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions set up after the civil wars in these two countries and whether their processes were able to deal with collective identity trauma. I gather and discuss different approaches to reconciliation at the end of a long-lasting civil conflict. This is important albeit, for building sustainable peace and fostering social cohesion in the aftermath of conflict.

Author

• Angelica Yeboah, University of Central Florida