Can the wounds of war be healed? Experimental evidence on reconciliation in Sierra Leone

Abstract

The International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) promotes evidence-informed equitable, inclusive and sustainable development. We support the generation and effective use of high-quality evidence to inform decision-making and improve the lives of people living in poverty in low-and middle-income countries. We provide guidance and support to produce, synthesise and quality-assure evidence of what works, for whom, how, why and at what cost. 3ie impact evaluations 3ie-supported impact evaluations assess the difference a development intervention has made to social and economic outcomes. 3ie is committed to funding rigorous evaluations that include a theory-based design, use the most appropriate mix of methods to capture outcomes and are useful in complex development contexts. About this report 3ie accepted the final version of the report, In search of the holy grail: can unconditional cash transfers graduate households out of poverty in Zambia?, as partial fulfilment of requirements under grant DPW1.1042 awarded through Development Priorities Window Grail An object or goal that is sought after for its great significance.-Meriam-Webster Dictionary A thing which is eagerly pursued or sought after.-Oxford English Dictionary iii Contents Acknowledgements .

Reconciliation: A comprehensive framework for empirical analysis

“…The findings presented here contribute to a growing effort to empirically ground and support transitional justice policy design and academic production (Van der Merwe et al, 2009;Cilliers et al, 2015). For example, the findings suggest that reconciliation policy should be oriented much more toward promoting and improving social relations than toward singling out and underscoring the traumatic experiences of specific victims' groups.…”

“…Brounéus (2008b), for example, examines the healing power of truth and reconciliation processes in Rwanda and finds that, instead of relief, victims encounter renewed trauma and even ill health. Cilliers, Dube and Siddiqi (2015) studied postconflict recovery in Sierra Leone, and found mixed results: reconciliation efforts both strengthened social networks and caused depression and anxiety among individuals. On the issue of historical memory, Mälksoo (2015: 1) suggests that the 'securitization of memory' has delegitimized some forms of historical remembrances while criminalizing others.…”

Strengthening women’s empowerment and gender equality in fragile contexts towards peaceful and inclusive societies

“…As such, these interventions may increase social cohesion by supporting the participation of different groups and enabling greater trust in the future by reconciling past grievances. One example is the truth and reconciliation programme Fambul Tok in Sierra Leone, which brought together perpetrators and victims in a bonfire ceremony to testify to their experiences, and then a 'cleansing' ceremony in which perpetrators sought and were granted forgiveness (Cilliers et al 2018).…”

“…We identified six studies, reported in 13 papers, that aimed to facilitate intergroup dialogues (Hartman et al 2018;Cilliers et al 2018;Lonergan 2016;Rime et al 2011;Schiller 2012;Svensson and Brouneus 2013). The interventions of these studies aimed to build intergroup cohesion and sustainable peace by bringing together people from groups in conflict and facilitating constructive dialogues on their differences and causes of the conflict.…”

“…Several operated for one to three months (Cilliers et al 2018;Hartman et al 2018;Lonergan 2016;Rime et al 2011). One ran for six months (Svensson and Brouneus 2013).…”