Sweden, South Africa join peace efforts ahead of Kenya’s polls

Sweden and South Africa have joined efforts to promote reconciliation among Kenyans ahead of next year’s elections.

Dr Fanie du Toit

The countries’ government agencies launched a project to promote peace during the electoral process.

The venture was launched in conjunction with National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).

The tripartite mission between Folke Bernadotte Academy (Sweden), Institute of Justice and Reconciliation (South Africa) and NCIC seeks to build capacity among stakeholders involved in ongoing reconciliation process.

Swedish ambassador to Kenya Ann Dismorr noted that Kenya is approaching elections, but it is yet to overcome trauma that followed 2007 polls.
Reconciliation not cheap

“This will take time and efforts. Some important steps have been taken with intention to address the root causes of violence. This needs to continue,” she stated.

Dismorr said the General Election would be pivotal in firmly putting Kenya on the path of long-term development, stability and prosperity.

Fanie du Toit, executive director at Institute of Justice and Reconciliation said peace after conflict does not come easily.

“Reconciliation is not cheap. It is an expensive but durable option,” he stated. The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) was launched in 2000 in line with South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Its aim was to ensure that lessons learnt from South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy were taken into account as the nation moved forward.

Ragnar Angeby, senior adviser at Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), said reconciliation is a process in which a society moves from a divided past to a shared future.

“Societies that have experienced violent conflict need to undertake a long journey to build a cohesive nation,” he added.
Total co-operation

FBA is a Swedish agency for peace security and development.

NCIC commissioner Milly Lwanga assured development partners of total co-operation in the project.

Dismorr said peace and reconciliation in Kenya and in the region is a priority to Sweden as is reform and gender equality.

She further said Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission should demonstrate to Kenyans the safeguards it is putting in place to ensure there will be integrity in upcoming elections.

She said reconciliation is an inherent aspect of preventing recurrence of conflict.

“It is my belief that this partnership, with its exchange of experiences and perspectives, has the potential to support the reconciliation process in Kenya,” he added.