Timor-Leste promotes traditional conflict resolution

DILI, 7 June 2013 (IRIN) - ‘Tara bandu’, a traditional form of conflict resolution, can play a bigger role in mitigating conflict in Timor-Leste at the community level, local leaders and experts say.

Under tara bandu - oath ceremonies - traditional laws and rituals help regulate relations between people and rival groups.

Timor-Leste, home to 1.1 million people, was a former Portuguese colony before it was occupied by Indonesia; it achieved independence only 11 years ago.

“When conflict is monitored at [the] community level and causes [are] addressed at these early stages, it can prevent an escalation of small issues into more widespread violence, such as the 2006 riots,” Sarah Dewhurst, an advisor from the local NGO Belun told IRIN. Belun is working with Columbia University’s Center for International Conflict Resolution on conflict prevention in the country.

In 2006, the nation experienced widespread riots and conflict due to dissent within the army, which resulted in military intervention. More than 100,000 people were displaced following violence between gangs, rival martial arts groups, the police and the army, many of whom sought protection in makeshift camps.

Localized disputes and conflicts over land and resources continue to this day.

Recent monitoring through Belun’s Early Response (EWER) programme - established to prevent an escalation of violence at the national and community levels - reveals local and international organizations are increasingly supporting tara bandu to address sources of conflict within the community.

With the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) gone - it departed in December 2012 ,experts are saying early monitoring of conflict drivers at the community level can play a significant role in securing peace and stability, allowing for EWER system research and advocacy for government-led policy reform or locally-driven conflict prevention activities, Dewhurst said.

The early response system is comprised of a network of more than 100 participants in 43 sub-districts. It was gradually rolled out between 2009 and 2012, and aims to scale up to reach all 65 sub-districts in the country.

“Early warning system monitoring has come under some criticism in the past,” Dewhurst said, adding that earlier attempts had failed to involve communities and stakeholders at the national level. EWER does involve communities and national stakeholders, which has been key to its success.