CURRENT PROJECT

Inclusive dialogue, gender sensitive peacebuilding and reconciliation in Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia

The project supports local actors, particularly youth and women, and our insider peacebuilders network in strengthening community cohesion and trust through dialogue and reconciliation.

Timeframe: 2023 - 2026

The project objective is to contribute to sustainable peace and cohesion in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, particularly Metekel Zone, through the strengthening of effective, inclusive and sustainable approaches to conflict transformation.

To achieve this, the project will strengthen the capacities of local actors on dialogue and reconciliation, with a particular emphasis on inclusivity of marginalised groups, as well as through the use of participatory learning approaches.

An inclusive Insider Peacebuilders Network (IPN) will be supported in their conflict transformation efforts, including through the implementation of reconciliation ceremonies and participatory inter-communal dialogues. Marginalised groups, youth and women will be significantly involved in leading the peacebuilding efforts, both as participants and facilitators.

In the last phase of the project, tangible peace dividends in the form of peace projects will be used to address root causes of conflict and build trust and social cohesion between communities.

Background

Benishangul-Gumuz Regional State is situated in northwestern Ethiopia. It is home to five indigenous ethnic communities and hosts a significant population from the neighboring Ethiopian regional states. This region is rich in natural resources and is home to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), as well as borders Sudan and South Sudan.

In recent years, ethnic-based violence has escalated in Benishangul-Gumuz fueled by competition over land, resources border disputes. The conflict in Benishangul-Gumuz’s Metekel Zone has had a detrimental impact on the population and has led to major infrastructure damage, loss of lives and mass displacement. In 2022, peace efforts have led to a reduction of violence in the Metekel Zone, with several agreements being signed between the regional government and armed groups. This presents an entry point for peacebuilding to consolidate the fragile gains in a volatile environment.