Strengthening social cohesion in Guinea-Bissau – Addressing traditional mechanisms of conflict resolution
In many developing countries, traditional or informal justice systems are responsible for the resolution of over 80% of conflicts in a community. These conflict resolution mechanisms play a significant role in rural and urban areas worldwide, addressing matters ranging from local crime to protection of land and property, to issues concerning the resolution of family disputes and inheritance. As a result, these practices and traditions are deeply entrenched in local populations and pre-date formal justice systems. In most cases, these practices offer benefits in costs and physical accessibility. However, research has shown that these conflict resolution mechanisms disproportionately affect women and children.
In Guinea-Bissau, traditional conflict resolution mechanisms are deeply rooted in the costumes of the different communities of the country. In 2019, as part of a larger programme, UNDP et un UNICEF, funded by the Peacebuilding Fund, asked Interpeace and Voz di Paz to develop a project of “Technical Support to Strengthen the Integration of Traditional Justice in the Stabilization of the Justice Sector in Guinea-Bissau through Peacebuilding.” The project included a participatory research process, which resulted in the publication of a report that seeks to contribute to a discussion about traditional mechanisms of conflict resolution, focusing on the conflicts involving women and children. Research was conducted through six focus-groups in three regions of the country. These results were then validated through a participatory process. The study focuses on exploring the traditional justice system in Guinea-Bissau, by focusing on women’s issues, the treatment of children in traditional justice and the perception of the population regarding traditional and formal justice systems.
Crédits photo : Voz di Paz
The study showed that traditional conflict resolution mechanisms in Guinea-Bissau are centered on dialogue and reconciliation and are guided by people who have historical and/or religious importance in the community – village chiefs, elders, imams, priests and the committees established after independence. Therefore, the application of traditional justice is versatile and depends on the attitude of the actor who applies it. Regarding the treatment of women, there was an idea that was often raised: women have a subordinate position vis-à-vis men – and especially their husbands – and must "sufri" (resign themselves). As a result, in the opinion of many of the women consulted, their problems are not solved impartially and fairly by traditional justice mechanisms. Concerning children, their position is subordinate to older people, and are very rarely given the opportunity to speak during these proceedings.
To promote peaceful and inclusive societies there must be an effort to improve traditional justice systems in developing countries. Therefore, during the participatory validation session, key recommendations were raised to improve these practices in Guinea-Bissau: a) including women and youth in councils that mediate conflicts in communities, can strengthen their participation and ensure greater openness; b) allow men and women to be present and listened to equally, can make the procedures more inclusive; c) village chiefs and committees should work to promote transparent decision-making processes in order to improve legitimacy and impartiality of traditional justice; and lastly, c) improve respect for the rights of women and children in traditional justice. The report also includes recommendations for institutions and organizations working with the traditional justice systems.
Nô obi mindjer ku mininu - Pratiques de justice au village : un regard sur les mécanismes traditionnels de résolution de conflits dans les régions de Gabú, Oio et Tombali - Sommaire exécutif
Cette analyse vise à contribuer à la discussion sur les mécanismes traditionnels de résolution des conflits, en accordant une attention particulière aux conflits impliquant des femmes et des enfants.
En particulier, ce projet de recherche vise à élaborer une analyse pouvant servir de base aux actions des autorités locales et internationales dans le secteur de la justice, guidant leur action vers l'intégration du système de justice traditionnel dans une réforme plus large du secteur de la justice en Guinée-Bissau.
Nô obi mindjer ku mininu - Justice practices in the village: a view over traditional mechanisms of conflict resolution in the Gabu, Oio and Tombali regions - Executive Summary
This analysis aims to contribute to the discussion on traditional mechanisms for conflict resolution, with particular attention to conflicts involving women and children.
Particularly, this research project aims to elaborate an analysis that can serve as a basis for the actions of local and international authorities in the justice sector, guiding their action towards the integration of the traditional justice system in a wider reform of the justice sector in Guinea-Bissau.
Nô obi mindjer ku mininu - Práticas de justiça na tabanca: Um olhar sobre os mecanismos tradicionais de resolução de conflitos nas regiões de Gabú, Oio e Tombali
Esta análise visa contribuir para a discussão sobre os mecanismos tradicionais de resolução de conflitos, com especial atenção para os conflitos que envolvem mulheres e crianças.
Nomeadamente, este projeto de pesquisa pretende elaborar uma análise que possa servir de base para as ações das autoridades locais e internacionais no setor da justiça, orientando-as para a integração do sistema de justiça tradicional numa reforma mais ampla do setor da justiça na Guiné-Bissau.
Prévention et résolution des conflits
Interpeace et Voz di Paz travaillent à faire avancer les capacités de prévention et de résolution des conflits aux niveaux local, régional et national et à promouvoir des mécanismes de résolution des conflits formels et informels plus inclusifs. Avec ces objectifs, dans les années précédentes, le programme a établi des groupes de dialogue sur la justice traditionnelle, a mené une analyse participative sur cette question avec un accent sur les femmes et les enfants, a plaidé pour la participation des femmes dans la justice traditionnelle et dans les structures de médiation au niveau communautaire et a travaillé avec un réseau de dix plateformes plateformes régionales de dialogue dans le pays pour surveiller les situations de conflit au niveau communautaire et contribuer directement à leur médiation. Tout au long de 2018, de nouvelles femmes médiatrices ont été associées aux mécanismes régionaux de dialogue de Voz di Paz et, dès 2020, un processus participatif pour restructurer ceux-ci et renforcer leurs compétences de médiation informelle a été lancé. Dans ce cadre, Interpeace et Voz di Paz travaillent actuellement à un système d’identification en ligne des conflits pour donner aux parties prenantes nationales et internationales des indications fiables sur la situation des conflits dans le pays. Pour faire avancer l’inclusivité de la prévention et la résolution des conflits à différents niveaux, le dispositif cherche actuellement à renforcer les capacités de médiation des jeunes pour leur permetttre d’être associés activement aux structures et institutions sur cette question et de participer à des médiations de conflits, notamment liés aux terres.
Promoting active citizenry
The initiative aims to create new mechanisms and build capacities for an active citizenry that is empowered to monitor, evaluate and advocate for adequate public policies in the justice sector, and to integrate traditional justice into the justice sector through a peacebuilding lens.
An essential component of the programme is the Participatory Barometer, which is the first ever to be used in Guinea-Bissau. The use of such a participatory tool is aimed at giving citizens an instrument so that they themselves can use to demand changes to the justice system, notably through dialogue and discussion, and by making the government reflect on what people expect from them in relation to the justice system and influence the reform process. The results of this Barometer will provide quantitative and representative information on the local governance of justice in the eight regions of Guinea-Bissau.
