The Voice of Peace: LRA conflict news - Jan - Apr 2015

Step on the egg: the path to reconciliation

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.

Across LRA-affected areas communities are striving to reintegrate former LRA. In South Sudan we meet a young lady who, on her return from captivity, finds it difficult to cope with life as a wife and mother. But local church and civil society organisations – demonstrating the critical role of community support groups – have helped her and her husband put the past behind them.

In CAR we meet a woman who sets an inspiring example. She uses her business and position in society to bring positive change to the lives of her home community, still living in the shadow of the LRA.

We then turn our attention to DRC where the decentralisation process – meant to improve government administration – is facing numerous challenges. Limited resources and bad roads in many parts of the country are hampering roll-out. It has also led to conflicts over administrative boundaries in Haut-Uele in the northeast, an already fragile and neglected border area.