Assessing the Influence of Community- Led Strategies on Conflict Resolution and Peace Building in Selected Communities in the Bole District

Abstract

This study examined how community-led strategies support conflict resolution and peacebuilding in selected communities in the Bole District. The findings show that local strategies, such as mediation by elders, community meetings, and peace committees, play a central role in resolving disputes, especially those related to land and intergroup relations. These methods are widely trusted because they reflect local customs, encourage participation, and rely on community knowledge. The results also indicate that these strategies have helped improve peace and unity among community members by creating spaces where disagreements can be resolved without violence.  However, challenges such as mistrust, unresolved past conflicts, and land-related tensions continue to hinder their full effectiveness.  The study recommends a bottom-up approach to conflict management and peacebuilding.  This approach should deliberately use existing local systems, structures, and traditional practices to reduce conflict and promote peaceful coexistence. It should also involve the many community members who have previously participated in peace initiatives, strengthen local strategies for conflict resolution,  and create stronger links with formal law enforcement and justice institutions. 

The study further recommends that widespread availability of small arms is a significant obstacle to community-driven peace-building. Because firearms significantly contribute to insecurity, the government needs to strengthen efforts to identify, recover, and control illicit weapons in the Bole district. Then again, women and youth should be actively encouraged and empowered to participate in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Their involvement is essential in preventing peace efforts from being viewed as the responsibility of only men. Providing them with support and opportunities to serve as peace ambassadors will strengthen community cohesion and long-term stability. Several aspects remain worthy of further investigation despite the important insights this study has provided.  First, the current study focused on one specific area. Future studies could include more communities or districts in the Savannah region to allow for comparative analysis and strengthen the generalisation of results.

Then again, since illegal firearms are a significant concern, future research could examine how disarmament programmes influence community safety and peace-building initiatives. Besides the challenges identified, further research could explore additional factors that fuel conflict, such as political influence, climate change, or external interventions. Future researchers could investigate how community-led structures can work more effectively with formal security and justice systems, and what obstacles hinder such collaboration. Further studies could explore how to increase women's and young people's involvement in peace-building efforts and the impact of their participation on conflict resolution.