CIBITOKE September 6th (ABP) – An awareness and discussion session on trauma management and reconciliation, organized by the NGO “Trauma Healing and Reconciliation services” (THARS), in collaboration with MIPAREC and YAGA, took place took place on September 2, in the capital of the Cibitoke province, as part of the implementation of the “Burundi Tuyage” program.
The representative of THARS, Mrs. Joyeuse Nahigejeje, spoke about the context of the project which came to relieve wounded memories, by the crises which have left the country in mourning, and to heal the wounds.
She got confused by explaining what mental health is. Thus, she made it known that without healing trauma, they cannot claim reconciliation.
Psychologist Ferdinand Manirakiza made the connection between psychosocial support, peace, reconciliation and social cohesion. On that, he said that creating a climate of trust and understanding between the former enemies is a difficult challenge to overcome.
To achieve that, he mentioned four pillars of transitional justice, including the search for truth, legal proceedings, reparations and institutional reforms. Indeed, according to the latter, justice mechanisms include recognizing that victims’ rights have been violated, seeking the truth and preserving collective memory, providing justice to victims and repairing the harm suffered, repressing crimes committed and punishing perpetrators, prevent new crimes, and contribute to reconciliation and social cohesion.
Note that the representative of the governor, communal administrators, representatives of religious denominations and psycho-social facilitators of the CDFC in the communes were invited to that discussion session.