Based in Yei, Southern Sudan, the Resource Centre for Civil Leadership (RECONCILE) seeks to help the nation grow as a peaceful democratic society and tackles issues of trauma, civic education, and conflict transformation.
Volatile clashes
In November 2009, RECONCILE conducted a series of three workshops in the ethnically-volatile Jonglei State: one in the Nuer town of Akobo, and two in the Murle communities of Gummuruk and Pibor.
Nuer and Murle ethnic groups have violently clashed on multiple occasions, killing many, including women and children, and immersing communities into a desperate traumatised state.
Overland challenges
Poor security, road conditions and weather make access to these villages nearly impossible. With MAF's support, RECONCILE was able to conduct workshops for women aimed at alleviating ethnic tensions, gender-based violence, and violence against children.
Women promoting peace
The women were elated to have the opportunity to participate in such an open forum. Most importantly, women from the two ethnic groups were able to correspond through writing, and agreed to meet with each other in 2010 for a peace conference.
February 2010, and the women were ready and excited. However, the Nuer women in Akobo required a way to get to the conference in Pibor. MAF were approached, and flew the women to the meeting, as well as two facilitators from RECONCILE.
None of these events—from the initial workshops to the peace conference—would have been possible without the support of MAF.
The peace conference was a huge success, and marked by multiple stories of heart-warming tenderness, trust, and steps on the road to reconciliation.