Roco Wat I Acoli

Roco Wat I Acoli Restoring Relationships in Acholi‐land: Traditional Approaches to Justice and Reintegration September, 2005 Liu Institute for Global Issues Gulu District NGO Forum Ker Kwaro Acholi FRONT COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Left: The Oput Root used in the Mato Oput ceremony, Erin Baines Centre: Dancers at a communal cleansing ceremony, Lara Rosenoff Right: A calabash holding the Oput and Kwete brew, Erin Baines BACK COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Background: Winnower for holding the Oput, and knife to slaughter sheep at a Mato Oput Ceremony, Carla Suarez Insert: See above © 2005 ROCO WAT I ACOLI Restoring Relations in Acholi‐land: Traditional Approaches To Reintegration and Justice Supported by: The John D. and Catherine T. Macarthur Foundation The Royal Embassy of the Netherlands Prepared by: Liu Institute for Global Issues Gulu District NGO Forum With the assistance of Ker Kwaro Acholi September, 2005 Comments: [email protected] or Boniface@human‐security‐africa.ca i Roco Wat I Acoli ii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The 19 year conflict in northern Uganda has resulted in one of the world’s worst, most forgotten humanitarian crisis: 90 percent of the affected-population in Acholi is confined to internally displaced persons camps, dependant on food assistance. The civilian population is vulnerable to being abducted, beaten, maimed, tortured, raped, violated and murdered on a daily basis. Over 20,000 children have been abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and forced into fighting and sexual slavery. Up to 40,000 children commute nightly to sleep in centres of town and avoid abduction. Victims and perpetrators are often the same person, and currently there is no system of accountability for those most responsible for the atrocities. Given the scale and scope of the crisis, it is not surprising that an intense debate on the most appropriate strategy to realize peace and justice has emerged. When the Chief Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced its intention to investigate the LRA in 2004, many local leaders in northern Uganda were opposed to the initiative. Traditional, religious and civil society leaders have argued that the ICC places ‘their’ children at greater risk, and threatens to further damage their cultural identity and beliefs. Traditional justice, based on restorative principles, is widely supported as a favourable alternative to the punitive approach of the Court. A number of advocates, therefore, argue the Court should cease its current investigation until local approaches are given an opportunity to work, or until peace is realized in the region. Despite this, very little is known about traditional justice in Acholi beyond its normative dimensions. This report, Roco Wat I Acoli, provides a much needed analysis of what traditional justice in northern Uganda is, how it is currently practiced and what value it could add. It documents existing practices of traditional justice in 16 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Northern Uganda. It further examines how some of these rituals have been adapted to promote the reintegration of former rebels. It does so in order to provide an initial assessment of whether or not traditional rituals and ceremonies could be further adapted in the context of the enduring 19-year old conflict. The findings suggest that the Acholi people continue to hold sophisticated cultural beliefs in the spirit world, which greatly shape their perceptions of truth, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation. Nevertheless, traditional cultural practices and the role of Elders, Mego and Rwodi have been severely restricted by the conflict and circumstances of displacement. In the words of one Elder, ‘these children don’t know how to be Acholi’. Since their re- institutionalization in 2000, traditional leaders, through Ker Kwaro Acholi, have attempted to revitalize cultural rituals and practices, and to reach out to the population to encourage the safe reintegration of formerly abducted persons. Findings suggest that this initiative has had varying degrees of success on the ground, largely dependant upon the camp setting, leadership within the camp, as well as the individual circumstances the formerly abducted person (FAP) returns to, such as family life. Likewise, the approaches are often ad-hoc and lack coordination with other existing efforts, reflecting an institutional weakness of the organization. Ker Kwaro Acholi must begin to define a unified, consensual vision of not only cultural contributions to the reintegration process, but also of how to adapt traditional justice mechanisms. This requires sorting out who should be subject to this justice process, as well as the mechanics of how this could take place. It will require local, national and international consultation and coordination with other stakeholders. For instance, the process of Mato Oput has received much attention by national and international stakeholders, with little understanding of what exactly is involved. The research found that the majority of Elders and Rwodi interviewed did not think that the process itself was possible to adapt in its current form. However, the principles, values and symbolic meaning of Mato Oput were considered essential to rebuilding a devasted Acholi-land, and should be carefully taken into consideration in the design of any future justice program in that region. It is recommended at the conclusion of this report (see Chapter 6) that a Commission on Reintegration and Reconciliation be established in order to begin to investigate questions related to how best to: promote both justice and peace; facilitate reintegration and reconciliation; to maintain the momentum of the Amnesty Commission while at the same time ending the current impunity; and, to balance traditional and international approaches to justice. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The report is a result of an action oriented research project that involved a wide range of actors and institutions. Principal research design, analysis and writing were conducted by Dr. Erin Baines of the Conflict and Development Programme, Liu Institute for Global Issues. Field research in northern Uganda was carried out by Kevin Aciro, Dorothy Omuk and Boniface Ojok, who also contributed greatly to the analysis of results. Analysis, writing and editing benefited from Canadian team members, Carla Suarez and Liz St. Jean. Carla Suarez conducted original field research in the later stages of data collection, and Liz St. Jean conducted the analysis and presentation of all quantitative data. The Project Coordinator, Michael Otim of Gulu District NGO Forum (GDNF), provided more than a home to the project, he provided the entire research team a home. Both Mr. Otim and project officer Boniface Ojok facilitated the overall management of the project which could not have been achieved without their dedication and commitment. The project was greatly supported by the institution of traditional leaders, Ker Kwaro Acholi, in particular His Highness David Onen Acana II and Deputy Paramount Chief George William Lugai who were very supportive of the initiative, helping to facilitate various field movements and providing guidance on research questions. Alaroker and Anyadwe are both grateful to all the Elders, Mego and Rwodi for their assistance. The project worked in collaboration with the GDNF and its member organizations and the Pader District NGO Forum. Earlier conceptualization of the project was supported by James Otto, Martin Komakec, Michael Otim and Caroline Ort. Catherine Lamwaka and Monika Rwotmon also assisted in data collection and translation. Lupwonye Ojok Ojara translated the key findings of the report into Luo, and provided translation during the consulatative workshop. The research team is also very grateful to Local Councilors for their support and to the Ugandan Army and Police for proving security when it was required. Drivers took us to and fro to camps safely especially to Simon, Rambo and William. Thanks must also be extended to colleagues in the region who assisted us at different stages of the project. Particular thanks are extended to Caritas Gulu Archdiocese and Concerned Parents Association-Kitgum for always availing information without hesitation. Proofreading and editing was a group effort of the research team, with the help of Zoe Wilson and Michael Otim. The team is very grateful to Heather Martin who read and edited the final version of the report, and Alison Lawton for supporting this important part of the writing process. Thanks to Lara Rosenoff, Carla Suarez and Erin Baines for photography, and to Tim Hardy for the design of the cover. The report would not have been possible without the generous assistance of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, contributions from MindsetMedia and in-kind support of Ker Kwaro Acholi, the GDNF and Liu Institute, particularly Doreen, Morris, Gerrison Latim, Julie Wagemakers, Pat Chu, Karina Lau and Peggy Ng. The respondants were unwavering in their commitment to answer all our endless questions. The researchers would like to acknowledge the hospitality and kindness you extended to us. You are inspiring teachers. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................... II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................................................... IV ACRONYMS ...........................................................................................................................................

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