Utilising a traditional approach to restorative justice in the reintegration of former child soldiers in the North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

This article explores the potential of Baraza, a traditional jurisprudence and conflict management structure, to assist the  reintegration of child ex-combatants into society. It is based on fieldwork conducted between early June and mid-December 2014 in North Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), using structured and semistructured interviews, focus groups, discussions and survey questionnaires. Altogether, 1 447 participants took part in different phases of the study,  comprising former child soldiers, members of war-affected communities, traditional leaders, students, members of NGOs and Baraza officials. The findings support the viability of Baraza to facilitate accountability and thereby reintegration of former child soldiers based on its multiple restorative potentials.