Introduction

Abstract

What lies in-between war and peace is rarely the subject of academic analysis. In the spotlight of public attention, peace accords are signed, new governments sworn in and institutions built to channel conflicting interests in a post-conflict environment. Yet this formal termination of a violent conflict only marks the beginning of a long and winding road from war to peace. Only too often are peace agreements reached for the country to plunge back into violence once a war-torn society endures stress or is incited by manipulative leaders. After the experience of violence, what is overlooked in many incidences are the concerns of the people who were personally affected by the fighting and who have to find their way in the newly achieved peace. Even though post-conflict peacebuilding has become increasingly popular for academics and practitioners alike, the question remains how societies transform their antagonistic relationships into mutual acceptance. After hardship and horror, how can they continue living on the same ground and share the same means? How can the parties break out of the confinement of their group identity that has become so meaningful in times of fighting? Moreover, at the community level, after the violence, the fabric that once made up social life and that provided some reference as to what is right or wrong lies in shambles.