Post-conflict Reconciliation ? A humanitarian myth ?
(2015) The Humanitarian Challenge : 20 Years European Network on Humanitarian Action (NOHA) — ISBN: [978-3-319-13469-7], 47-69, published
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- The aim of the paper is to question the scope and limits of reconciliation as an effective peace-building process. It is to problematize a notion that is often taken for granted and to contribute to the understanding of the dynamics that take place between former enemies, and between various groups of actors on each side (be they survivors, policy-makers, perpetrators or outsiders such as international donors, practitioners, diplomats and scholars). To understand these dynamics, it seems fundamental to question the normative frame of reconciliation after wars and mass atrocities. Is reconciliation an unequivocal goal to be pursued whatever the circumstances? Beyond a theoretical interest, this question has a direct impact for practitioners; a better understanding of the issue is actually a sine qua non condition for more efficient interventions. The paper is divided into three parts. The first emphasizes the major conceptions of reconciliation as a peace-building process. The second stresses the attitude of the reconciliation advocates in Rwanda. Beside the official authorities, most peace builders called for reconciliation and forgiveness. The third and final part serves as a reminder that some survivors decided to resist this call for reconciliation.
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Rosoux, V. (2015). Post-conflict Reconciliation ? A humanitarian myth ? In P. Gibbons, H.-J. Heintze (eds.) (ed.), The Humanitarian Challenge : 20 Years European Network on Humanitarian Action (NOHA) (pp. 47-69). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-13470-3_4