A Pragmatic Pact: Reconciliation and Reintegration in Sierra Leone

Kieran Mitton

A Pragmatic Pact: Reconciliation and Reintegration in Sierra Leone

Kieran Mitton

War Studies

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

325 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This chapter critically examines the apparent success of reconciliation and reintegration efforts in Sierra Leone. Based on extended fieldwork, it draws attention to a tacitly agreed pact of accommodation between former fighters and wider society, shaped by a pragmatic focus on immediate welfare concerns over and above reflections on the past. The perceived value and utility of formal transitional justice mechanisms are scrutinised from this perspective, and the chapter considers whether a pragmatic approach to the past has led to a ‘negative peace’, in which many ex-combatants avoid reintegration and reconciliation altogether.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Evaluating Transitional Justice
Subtitle of host publication	Accountability and Peacebuilding in Post-Conflict Sierra Leone
Editors	Rebekka Friedman, Kirsten Ainley, Chris Mahony
Publisher	Palgrave Macmillan
ISBN (Print)	9781137468215
Publication status	Published - Aug 2015

Publication series

Name	Rethinking Peace and Conflict Studies

Keywords

Sierra Leone
Reconciliation
Reintegration
Justice
Transitional Justice
peacebuilding

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

Mitton Final with Track Changes AcceptedAccepted author manuscript, 533 KB

http://www.palgrave.com/page/detail/evaluating-transitional-justice-kirsten-ainley/?K=9781137468215

3 Citations
1 Book

Evaluating Transitional Justice: Accountability and Peacebuilding in Post-Conflict Sierra Leone
Ainley, K. (Editor), Friedman, R. (Editor) & Mahony, C. (Editor), Jun 2015, London: Palgrave Macmillan. 312 p. (Rethinking Peace and Conflict Series)
Research output: Book/Report › Book

1 Participation in conference
1 Types of External academic engagement - Invited talk

What Use is Justice? Reconciliation & Reintegration in Sierra Leone
Mitton, K. (Speaker)
17 Apr 2015
Activity: Other › Types of External academic engagement - Invited talk
LSE Africa Summit
Mitton, K. (Invited speaker)
17 Apr 2015
Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participation in conference

Cite this

Mitton, K. (2015). A Pragmatic Pact: Reconciliation and Reintegration in Sierra Leone. In R. Friedman, K. Ainley, & C. Mahony (Eds.), Evaluating Transitional Justice: Accountability and Peacebuilding in Post-Conflict Sierra Leone Article 11 (Rethinking Peace and Conflict Studies). Palgrave Macmillan. http://www.palgrave.com/page/detail/evaluating-transitional-justice-kirsten-ainley/?K=9781137468215

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title = "A Pragmatic Pact: Reconciliation and Reintegration in Sierra Leone",

abstract = "This chapter critically examines the apparent success of reconciliation and reintegration efforts in Sierra Leone. Based on extended fieldwork, it draws attention to a tacitly agreed pact of accommodation between former fighters and wider society, shaped by a pragmatic focus on immediate welfare concerns over and above reflections on the past. The perceived value and utility of formal transitional justice mechanisms are scrutinised from this perspective, and the chapter considers whether a pragmatic approach to the past has led to a {\textquoteleft}negative peace{\textquoteright}, in which many ex-combatants avoid reintegration and reconciliation altogether. ",

keywords = "Sierra Leone, Reconciliation, Reintegration, Justice, Transitional Justice, peacebuilding",

author = "Kieran Mitton",

year = "2015",

month = aug,

language = "English",

isbn = "9781137468215",

series = "Rethinking Peace and Conflict Studies",

publisher = "Palgrave Macmillan",

editor = "Rebekka Friedman and Kirsten Ainley and Chris Mahony",

booktitle = "Evaluating Transitional Justice",

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Mitton, K 2015, A Pragmatic Pact: Reconciliation and Reintegration in Sierra Leone. in R Friedman, K Ainley & C Mahony (eds), Evaluating Transitional Justice: Accountability and Peacebuilding in Post-Conflict Sierra Leone., 11, Rethinking Peace and Conflict Studies, Palgrave Macmillan. <http://www.palgrave.com/page/detail/evaluating-transitional-justice-kirsten-ainley/?K=9781137468215>

A Pragmatic Pact: Reconciliation and Reintegration in Sierra Leone. / Mitton, Kieran.
Evaluating Transitional Justice: Accountability and Peacebuilding in Post-Conflict Sierra Leone. ed. / Rebekka Friedman; Kirsten Ainley; Chris Mahony. Palgrave Macmillan, 2015. 11 (Rethinking Peace and Conflict Studies).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

TY - CHAP

T1 - A Pragmatic Pact

T2 - Reconciliation and Reintegration in Sierra Leone

AU - Mitton, Kieran

PY - 2015/8

Y1 - 2015/8

N2 - This chapter critically examines the apparent success of reconciliation and reintegration efforts in Sierra Leone. Based on extended fieldwork, it draws attention to a tacitly agreed pact of accommodation between former fighters and wider society, shaped by a pragmatic focus on immediate welfare concerns over and above reflections on the past. The perceived value and utility of formal transitional justice mechanisms are scrutinised from this perspective, and the chapter considers whether a pragmatic approach to the past has led to a ‘negative peace’, in which many ex-combatants avoid reintegration and reconciliation altogether.

AB - This chapter critically examines the apparent success of reconciliation and reintegration efforts in Sierra Leone. Based on extended fieldwork, it draws attention to a tacitly agreed pact of accommodation between former fighters and wider society, shaped by a pragmatic focus on immediate welfare concerns over and above reflections on the past. The perceived value and utility of formal transitional justice mechanisms are scrutinised from this perspective, and the chapter considers whether a pragmatic approach to the past has led to a ‘negative peace’, in which many ex-combatants avoid reintegration and reconciliation altogether.

KW - Sierra Leone

KW - Reconciliation

KW - Reintegration

KW - Justice

KW - Transitional Justice

KW - peacebuilding

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9781137468215

T3 - Rethinking Peace and Conflict Studies

BT - Evaluating Transitional Justice

A2 - Friedman, Rebekka

A2 - Ainley, Kirsten

A2 - Mahony, Chris

PB - Palgrave Macmillan

ER -

A Pragmatic Pact: Reconciliation and Reintegration in Sierra Leone

Abstract

Publication series

Keywords

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Research output

Evaluating Transitional Justice: Accountability and Peacebuilding in Post-Conflict Sierra Leone

Activities

What Use is Justice? Reconciliation & Reintegration in Sierra Leone

LSE Africa Summit

Cite this