About Peace Making and Reconciliation
“Before you come to conflict with someone, there is always a wider difference. You fight for a cause. They fight against a cause… If each of the opposition can agree on the issue, then immediately they can solve the problem.”
-Acholi man
“We cannot reconcile when people are fighting by the roadside and the blood is running on the face of the earth. You should take time before speaking so the parties can calm themselves.”
-Zande man
“When women let out cries, it is so provocative and can make situations worse. They are not allowed to come close [to the negotiation table], because if they came they might encourage men to continue the fighting.”
-Acholi man
“Sometimes women could cause the mediation process to fall apart because she will start wailing and crying… I’m speaking universally, not culturally.”
-Zande man
“In this issue of reconciliation, we are in the area of tradition and religion. A human being is having his own tradition and religion. You want to understand their tradition in dealing with conflict. Start there.”
-Pojulu man
“We love our enemies because we will not start the fight with them… but you cannot forgive two times.”
-Dinka man
“This is the most important thing for us as Sudanese to know. We must reconcile… It is time now for reconciliation, not for splitting.”
-Lotuko man
“We do not yet know the importance of unity.”
-Zande man
“Though things are not quite good in Sudan, still there is hope that things will be ok. It is better to take a step rather than to remain at zero. Then, the next generation can take a step after us.”
-Zande man
