Implications.
If there is no community consultation, any initiative risks missing the needs of local people. If the
international community understands “justice” in a different way than the local community, international
organizations may design “transitional justice” mechanisms that might not meet the needs of local people.
If international organizations do not provide long-term funding for community-level transitional justice
initiatives without strings attached that would hinder program design or program flexibility, then it will be
more difficult for the organizations managing community-level programs to tailor their work to local
communities and work towards long-term healing. Wounds from a decade-long civil war cannot be healed
overnight; transitional justice programs require long-term commitment, consistency, and flexibility to
adjust to the needs of local people.
If restorative methods of justice are not pursued for communities recovering from armed conflict, then
communities might not be restored to wholeness. If perpetrators are not forced to confront the impact of
their actions together with the community, then old wounds may continue to fester and victims will
continue to suffer without acknowledgement and truth-telling.
If grassroots organizations do not adequately sensitize people to a community-level transitional justice
initiative, people may not truly be prepared to tell their stories, apologize for their offenses, or provide
support to those who have been hurt by the war. If such initiatives do not provide follow-up activities,
then they risk losing the gains from initial healing ceremonies.
Additional Comments.
For more information about the myriad ways that women experienced the war in Sierra Leone, including
as armed combatants, see: "Gender-Sensitive DDR Processes: Integrating Female Ex-Combatants in
Sierra Leone,” K. Gehman, SOLLIMS Lesson #2486.
Event Description.
The author had familiarity with Fambul Tok from prior experience transcribing research about the program
in 2014 at the Center for Justice & Peacebuilding (CJP), Eastern Mennonite University. This lesson is based
on the following sources:
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“Fambul Tok: Community Transitional Justice in Sierra Leone,” Guest Speaker J. Caulker & Host Dr. C.
Stauffer, Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice Webinar, Eastern Mennonite University, (Recorded 13
November 2013; Posted 20 June 2016).
“Forgiving the Unforgiveable,” L. Hoffman, TEDx Talks, (22 Oct 2011).
“Peace-Trained Alumni in Liberia and Sierra Leone Tap Local Resilience and Resourcefulness in Curbing
Ebola,” K. Lofton, Eastern Mennonite University News, (21 January 2015).
See also: “Fambul Tok,” Documentary Film, (2011) // “Introducing Fambul Tok: Community Healing in
Sierra Leone,” Fambul Tok International, (18 January 2010).
Useful Websites: Fambul Tok ; Catalyst for Peace ; Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Lesson Author: Katrina Gehman, Lessons Learned Analyst (Ctr), PKSOI
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