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                                                     

CEDAC celebrates its 7 th anniversary 7eme anniversaire de CEDAC

On the 4^th November CEDAC celebrated its 7^th anniversary in an event attended by staff, founding members and other supporters of CEDAC.

Eric Niragira, founder and executive director of CEDAC, reflected on the past seven years that had been filled with both challenges and much success. He expressed his thanks to the people who have supported his dream right from the first day to the present moment.

Certificates were given out to key staff and founding members of CEDAC as a symbol to honour their dedication to making CEDAC the organisation it is today. Each staff member was invited to present themselves and share a few words about their part in CEDAC and their hopes for the future. CEDAC´s 7^th birthday celebration was also an opportunity to publicly thank CEDAC´s staff for all their energy and commitment. It is they who make CEDAC´s dream a reality of promoting peace and reconciliation in communities devastated by conflict.

CEDAC is also deeply grateful to all the support it receives from its local, national and international partners; Action on Armed Violence, UNDP, American Friends Service Committee and Center for International Stabilization and Recovery who enable CEDAC to provide its services to survivors of armed conflict. 

Fete de septiéme anniversaire de CEDAC, CEDAC´s 7th anniversary celebrations

CEDAC staff members receiving their certificates. Le staff de CEDAC recoit ses certificats

Le 4 de novembre de 2012 CEDAC a célébré son septième anniversaire  avec un évènement attendu par le personnel, les membres fondateurs et autres gens qui appuient à CEDAC dans une manière ou autre.  Eric Niragira, fondateur et directeur exécutive de CEDAC, a réfectionné sur les dernières sept ans complet avec défis et aussi beaucoup de suces. Il a remercié aux gens qui ont appuyé son rêve depuis le premier jour jusqu´au moment actuel.

Certificats ont été donnés au personnel clé et membres fondateurs de CEDAC comme un symbole pour honorer leur engagement  á faire CEDAC l`organisation qu´elle est aujourd´hui. Chaque membre du staff a été invité de se présenter et partager quelques mots sur son rôle chez CEDAC y ses espoirs pour l´avenir de l´organisation.  Le septième anniversaire de CEDAC était aussi une opportunité de remercier publiquement le staff de CEDAC pour leur énergie et dévouement. C´est eux qui font le rêve de CEDAC une réalité de promouvoir la paix et la réconciliation dans les communautés dévastées par le conflit.

CEDAC est aussi très reconnaissant de l´appui de ses partenaires locales, nationales et internationales Action on Armed Violence, PNUD, American Friends Service Committee and Center for International Stabilization and Recovery , ceux  que font possible que CEDAC fournie ses services aux survivantes de la violence armée. 

Trauma Healing Specialist visits CEDAC´s Peer to Peer Support project in Muramvya. . Spécialiste en Guérison de Trauma visite le projet de pairs éducateurs á Muramvya

Survivors of armed violence in the communes of Bukeye and Mbuye have been benefiting from psychosocial support since August 2012. The two communes are located in the northern province of Muramvya and were highly affected by the war due to their proximity to the Kibira National Reserve which was used as a base by rebel groups.  CEDAC seeks to heal the scars in this region through its peer support work scheme, generously supported by Action On Armed Violence (AOAV) and the Center for International Stabilization and Recovery (CISR).

A 2 days-visit was held from the 02 to 4th October, 2012 with the aim of assessing the competence of peer support workers and to guide them where they find difficulties. The team was made up of Cameron Macauley CISR trauma recovery expert, the operations’ coordinator, a supervisor and the communal animator.  12 peer support workers (6 in each commune) were visited and evaluated at the survivors’ homes.

It was evident that survivors are comfortable with PSWs and have established a good relationship. From their observations, the team continues to believe that PSWs can really be the source of trauma recovery. PSW stimulate conversation in order to help survivors make informed life decisions or provide them with logistical guidance to access services. Being a PSW is a challenge because some survivors´ needs are very specific, or it is difficult to access the necessary technical assistance. PSW reported the following problematic situations; severe mental cases,  one particular health care case in which a woman´s genital parts were destroyed by a group of soldiers raping her aged  9), physical disabilities (single or double leg amputations), social cases and land related conflicts.

Given CEDAC´s resources and specific mandate of providing psychosocial support, some of these cases need to be treated by other institutions or NGOs which can provide the needed services.  With this motive, CEDAC will establish strategic partnership with other entities to ensure that the survivors¨ needs lying outside the project focus are addressed.

The survivors have also demonstrated an interest to the PSW that CEDAC establishes a project of income generating activities to form collectives and offer a more exhaustive reintegration programme. 

(C) Ruth Simpson 

CEDAC Peer support workers in the Muramvya project with Trauma Healing Specialist Cameron Macauley and Ruth Simpson from AOAV. 4/10/12

Les pairs éducateurs du projet de Muramvya avec le spécialiste en Guérison de Trauma, Cameron Macauley et Ruth Simpson de AOAV. 

Vérsion francaise

Les survivants de la violence armée dans les communes de Bukeye et Mbuye sont entrain de profiter d’un appui psychosocial depuis Aout 2012. Les deux communes sont situées  dans le nord de la province de Muramvya et ont été sérieusement touchées par la guerre  en raison de leur proximité  géographique à la Réserve Nationale de Kibira, laquelle servait de base pour les groupes armés. CEDAC cherche de guérir les cicatrices dans cette région à travers son programme de soutien de pairs aux survivants,  qui est généreusement soutenu par  Action On Armed Violence (AOAV) et le Center for International Stabilization and Recovery (CISR). La visite de deux jours, du 2au 4 octobre 2012, avait pour but d´évaluer la compétence des pairs éducateurs et les orienter là où ils trouvaient des difficultés. L´équipe était composé de  Cameron Macauley (un expert de guérison de trauma de CISR), le coordinateur d’opérations, un superviseur et un animateur communautaire. 12 pairs éducateurs (6 pour chaque commune) ont été visités et évalués aux domiciles des survivants. 

Il a été remarqué que les survivants se sentaient confortables avec les pairs éducateurs et qu’il existe de bonnes relations entre eux. En basant sur ces observations, l´équipe continue de croire que les pairs éducateurs peuvent être la source du rétablissement de trauma.  Les pairs éducateurs stimulent la conversation enfin d´aider les survivants de prendre conscience et entreprendre des décisions dans leur vie avec une bonne information ou alors ils leur apportent un savoir-faire logistique qui leur permettra d’avoir accès aux services.  Etre un pair éducateur en soi est un défi parce qu´il y a des survivants qui ont des besoins qui leur sont spéciales et se trouve dans l’incapacité d’accéder aux services  nécessaires. Les pairs éducateurs ont souligné les situations problématiques comme des problèmes de santé graves (un cas d´une femme dont les parties génitales  on été détruites il y a 9 ans quand elle a été violée par un groupe de soldats, les handicapes physiques (cas de gens dont un ou tous les jambes ont été amputé), les cas sociaux ,mentaux et les conflits fonciers.

Etant donné les recours au CEDAC, son mandat étant spécifiquement d’apporter un appui psychosocial aux victimes de la violence armée, certains de ces recours nécessitent d´être traités par autres institutions ou ONGs. Pour cette raison, CEDAC nouera des relations stratégiques avec d’ autres entités  pour s’assurer que les besoins des survivants en dehors  du projet trouvent satisfaction.

En fin, les survivants ont souhaité qu’une une assistance psychosociale soit accompagnée d’une assistance économique. De fait, CEDAC compte entreprendre un projet d’activités génératrices de revenues sous forme de SILC qui lui permettra de renforcer la cohésion sociale en vue d’une réintégration socioéconomique plus exhaustive.   

Working together with HROC and BIRATURABA in community reconciliation. Le travail ensemble avec BIRATURABA et HROC pour le rapprochement communautaire.

In the project entitled Socioeconomic Reintegration, funded by the American Friends´ Service Committee and jointly implemented by BIRATURABA and HROC (Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities), CEDAC used its expertise to coordinate activities relating to improving social cohesion. Awareness workshops Community work camps were organised in Kiyange, Maramvya, Rukaramu and Gateri from the 4^th-7^th September.

In collaboration with the commune´s administration, it was decided that CEDAC´s community work camp should consist of collecting sand to construct a primary school in Kubumwe in the Buterere commune. Within this project, one could find Repatriates, Displaced Persons and Ex Combatants (RDExCs) participating in this community work initiative by their own choice to do something which benefits the community rather than doing something just for their individual economic gain. This is social cohesion.

After collecting sand, the beneficiaries enjoyed refreshments and sat together to learn about CEDAC´s vision. At the same time there were cultural activities such as poems, plays and sketches to entertain the participants. In order to encourage the others to take part in the cultural activities, we awarded prizes to the first participants who volunteered to come forward with a poem or sketch.

Looking over the work done in the community project, CEDAC continued to highlight the importance of community reconciliation and social cohesion taking root through acts such as the building of the primary school. There were not any sports events during September because the RDExCs had planned to hand out school supplies such as markers, slates and maths boxes to show their joy to onlookers at having been involved in this community project. This was reflected in the RDExCs expressing their feelings through success stories, plays, sketches and songs. Notwithstanding, cultural and sporting competitions are expected to take place in November.

The local authorities profusely thanked CEDAC for its involvement in the creation of community work days and called on the participants to take into account the important message of these activities.

Mme Beatrice INAKANYANA of BUTERERE shares her story of learning about social cohesion “In my absence the others in the community can feed my child and I also can be responsible for my neighbour´s child regardless of their past. At the beginning I was afraid of the demobilised combatants because they were aggressive, but now I´m not scared and with CEDAC´s project my trust in them has doubled. My heart is at peace, I lead a happy and safe life. I would suggest that this project continues to build trust and consideration of others in the community. I´ve just come to discover that this type of activity has benefited me, above all for community reconciliation. It´s because of this that I´ve sought to become a member of both social groups. 

 Mme INAKANYANA Beatrice de BUTERERE a dit sur la cohesion sociale que "A mon absence, l’entourage peut nourrir mon enfant et moi aussi je peux être responsable de l’enfant de mes voisins sans se soucier de leur passé. Au paravent j’avais peur des démobilisés car ils étaient agressifs  mais aujourd’hui je n’ai pas peur et avec le projet du CEDAC  ma confiance en eux a doublé. Mon cœur est apaisé, je mène une vie heureuse et sécurisée. Je vous suggérerais  que ce projet puisse continuer pour développer  la confiance et l’estime d’autrui au sein de la communauté, je viens de découvrir   que ce genre d’activités me soit bénéfique surtout pour la cohésion sociale. c’est a travers de cela que j’ai sollicitée de devenir membre de l’un ou l’autre groupe

Distributing school materials on completing the community work camp day.                                                                                            La remise des matériels scolaires aux participants

Version francaise

Avec le soutien financier de l’American Friend´s Service Committe dans le projet de REINTEGRATION SOCIOECONOMIQUE entrepris par l’Association BIRATURABA, CEDAC et HROC, VOLET : Rapprochement communautaire dont CEDAC est à la coordination des activités. Des séances de sensibilisation des différents acteurs et des travaux de réhabilitation socioéconomique, des camps de travail sont organisés dans différentes sites à savoir : Kiyange, Maramvya, Rukaramu et Gateri en date du 04 au 07/09/2012.

En collaboration avec l’Administration de la commune, ils ont jugé bon de collecter les tants de sable pour la construction d’une école primaire de Kubumwe en commune Buterere qui est en cours.        Dans ce projet, nous faisons  l’identification des RDExCs dans les sites dont nous allons mener l’activité du camp de travail ou autre et on donne liberté aux RDExCs de choisir eux même le travail qui n’est pas rémunératoire mais de cohésion sociale. Juste après les activités nous envisageons  un rafraichissement afin qu’on puisse assoir ensemble avec les bénéficiaires  pour partager et témoigner  l’histoire  du CEDAC . En ce moment il y avait des jeux culturels qui sont prévus comme les poèmes, les théâtres et les sketchs pour amuser les participants mais nous primons les premiers pour encourager les autres afin de participer massivement dans les activités pareilles.

       Apres l’analysé du déroulement des activités, nous procédons à présenter la vision et l’expérience du CEDAC dans le projet et les activités pareilles dans le programme du rapprochement communautaire qui est l’œuvre du CEDAC dans ce projet. Du moins, on dirai qu’il n y avait pas des compétitions sportives dans ces activités car ce n’était que les jeux que les RDExC ont organisés pendant la remise des matériels scolaires aux participants pour manifester leurs joie et montrer aux spectateurs que CEDAC les ont fait de grande chose. Et cela se manifeste dans les histoires de succès, les théâtres, les poèmes et les sketchs, les chansons  d’expression de leurs émotions. Donc, les compétitions culturelles ou sportives proprement dites sont prévus dans les prochaines activités au mois de novembre.      

L’Administration remercie très vivement l’engagement du CEDAC dans la réalisation des camps de travail et demande aux participants de tenir en considération les closes de ces activités.

CEDAC Field visit to Psychosocial Assistance to Victims of armed Conflict Project in Muramvya

On Thursday, the 20^th September 2012, a field visit was conducted by members of staff from CEDAC´s Coordination Office based in Bujumbura. The objective of the visit was to assess the progress of the Psychosocial Assistance to Victims of Armed Conflict Programme being implemented in Muramvya. They visited Rutegama commune and observed two peer support workers interacting with survivors. The first survivor met was a disabled woman who had been shot in the leg and later had it amputated. She told of her difficulties in handling different tasks, and that she is encountering social problems such as stigmatization. The task of the peer support worker is to help her to feel better by raising her self-esteem and to find solutions for the day to day challenges in her life. It is important to mention that this survivor is a member of the Twa minority who constitute only 0.9% of Burundi´s population. The Twa are frequently marginalized, and so this survivor´s problems are twofold with her disability. It is in these cases that the peer support worker is a vital lifeline.

 Another peer support worker introduced the CEDAC visitors to an ex-combatant who was facing mental problems and had been abusing drugs. He was also aggressive to the community. The peer support worker was showing him different ways of feeling better about what had happened in the past and to help him adopt a positive attitude. Moreover, the peer support worker persuaded the ex-combatant to develop constructive goals for his life. The role of the peer support worker here is to provide strategies to help the ex-combatant channel potentially harmful feelings into positive actions.

        The progress of the project is remarkable; survivors enjoy social visits and services provided by peer support workers. In addition, the community is developing faith in CEDAC’s workers, which was demonstrated by the fact that someone handed a grenade, left over from the conflict, into the community animator. By inspiring trust and providing support to the communities, CEDAC´s project in Muramvya is helping to make it peaceful and is continuing to encourage people to disarm.

Joel Nibigira presents a peer support worker to a survivor of the conflict. He explains CEDACs project in  Muramvya and the role of peer support workers.

Cedac´s fruitful partnership with UNDP

As part of the United Nations Development Programme´s (UNDP) framework for the reintegration and reconciliation of ex combatants in Burundi, CEDAC was invited to participate in a two day technical workshop in Bujumbura on the 18-19^th September to present its progress in its projects in the communes of Rugombo and Murwi in the Cibitoke province. The workshop also served to function as a space for the UNDP´s local partners to identify problems and receive technical assistance from the UNDP representatives.

 CEDAC has received funding from the UNDP since July 2012 to carry out local level projects in the Cibitoke province to create 560  short term jobs (reserving 201 positions for females) and other subsequent income opportunities  for both  ex combatants and members of  receiving communities. Having the objective of not only providing individuals with an income but to also foster positive and collaborative relations between existing community members and returnees, this project and similar initiatives proposed by Burundian NGOs are the lynchpin to paving the way towards reconciliation and enduring peace. It is precisely this approach that in the two day workshop the UNDP highlighted the important role of Burundian NGOs in the post conflict state. Moreover, equal importance was given to the necessity to engage local authorities in order to ensure the sustainability and success of community based projects.

In CEDAC´s progress report, it was shown that in six weeks 8km of irrigation canals have been rebuilt  in the Rugombo commune in addition to 6.5km of road constructed between Mibanda and Gitohera in the Murwi commune. These community projects bring people together, provide economic opportunities and have a positive impact on the communes’ development, thus improving the inhabitants´ quality of life. CEDAC has been able to accomplish its targets due to the unwavering support and assistance of the local authorities.

CEDAC would like to express its thanks to the UNDP and partner organisations for the opportunity to share its work with them.

Eric Niragira, founder and executive director of CEDAC, presents a progress report for the Cibitoke province project in a UNDP technical workshop in Bujumbura 18-19th September, 2012.