Peace is Possible

Sophie Chiche and Mark Samuel, Co-Authors of the The Power of Personal Accountability, were invited to present at a symposium on Peace and Restorative Justice for Colombia in the first part of February. The country of Colombia has suffered from years of violence dealing with dictatorships and drug cartels that are now comprised of guerilla factions that kidnap the upper class for ransom money (2000 in the past year) and killing the ones who get in their way.

This symposium was supported by the President of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe Velez and sponsored by business leaders, the US government as well as other governments and contributors from around the world. International leaders including ambassadors from the US, Great Britain and many other countries participated, in addition to the government leaders within Colombia. However, the delegation from South Africa including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the ex-Minister of Justice Penuell Maduna, Justice Albie Sachs form the Constitutional Court, Tokyo Sexwale, former governor or Gautang and several others who were involved in the transition from apartheid to democracy were clearly the highlight of this symposium.

Personal and Shared Accountability was of great interest by the attendees. We felt we were there to give to the people of Colombia. We received so much. We felt privileged to participate in an event as contributors, learners and witnesses while history was being made.

Ownership, Forgiveness and Shared Accountability

When apartheid ended and democracy began, how was the country to prevent the expected blood bath from anger, hatred and resentment that built up from over 300 years of oppression and abuse by white people? Archbishop Desmond Tutu shared stories of preserving human dignity and emphasizing that “we are all God’s children – even the perpetrators of injustice.” His message was clear to the Colombian’s as well as the delegations from Northern Ireland, the Middle East and other countries within South Africa.

The remaining delegates from South Africa shared many stories surrounding their Committee for Truth and Restoration. Independently using the core principles of The Personal Accountability Model, the new South African government under the direction of Nelson Mandela established amnesty for the perpetrators during Apartheid under one condition - complete and honest confessions from each person. They knew that punishment wouldn’t create the healing that was so needed in order to prevent multiple generations of resentment from remaining.

They included over 20,000 people in this process of having victims share their story, while perpetrators took “ownership” and confessed their crimes of injustice to their victims. An example of the impact of ownership and forgiveness came from a story about a group of teenage boys who wanted to take part in the revolution for freedom. Apartheid police disguised as revolutionaries gathered these teenagers, taught them how to fight and supplied them with guns. They sent them on their first mission, with fake guns – an ambush where all of the teenagers were killed. After some work with a psychologist and much support and coaching, the mothers of these teenagers were brought into a room with the perpetrators. They shared their stories, their anger and their grief, asking questions about the last moments of their son’s lives. One mother came forward to look into the eyes of the man who killed her son and said, “My son was about your age. My son, why did you kill my son?” After he explained his mission she responded, “My grief and anger won’t bring back my son. When I look into your eyes, I see my son. My son, I forgive you and ask that YOU be my son.” They embraced and cried together. ”
“Peace is possible,” Desmond Tutu proclaimed throughout the conference. “Peace is possible”

Even the Victims Weren’t Victims

Tokyo Sexwale, a very successful business man, was in prison for 13 years with Nelson Mandela. During his prison term his brother was killed and his body hidden. He shared that at no time did he feel like a victim. In prison, he remained a free man, because in his heart and mind he had a purpose (clear intention) and he was living it wherever he may happen to live, in exile, fighting or in prison. He shared that being a victim was a frame of mind. That no one had the power to control what was going on in his head and heart. That even if his outer circumstances could make him feel victimized, he could always choose freedom in his thoughts.

Shared Accountability – The Key for Ending Conflict

As we listened to ambassadors from several countries, the South Africans and from the internationally recognized mediators who attended, the message was clear. Whether attempting to get the warring parties in the same room, forming agreements or supporting the agreements after they were signed, Shared Accountability plays a key role. The common theme was that the international community had to take Accountability and action to support the negotiations between the leaders of apartheid and the South Africans. Peace requires that government, victims, perpetrators, religious leaders, the business community and local communities come together with a shared purpose, commitment and action to create and sustain peace. They all must be accountable to each other for peace to be created and sustained.

History in the Making

One of the last activities of the symposium involved a panel discussion with Archibishop Desmond Tutu and the South African leaders, the leader of the indigenous community in South America, an international conflict resolution and process of peace from Spain, and a few more dignitaries. They were to provide advice and questions to President Uribe of Colombia. This interaction was televised live throughout the nation. Hon. Desmond Tutu began this meeting by requesting the guerillas to come down from the mountain back to their homes. He emphasized the dignity of each human being as forgiveness and restoration were necessary to create healing. For over one hour the panel asked challenging questions to President Uribe about his intentions and commitment to peace. He was completely vulnerable, since the questions were not preplanned. Towards the end of the discussion, the South African delegates whispered a strategy that they all agreed upon. Honorable Tutu challenged the President to openly dialogue with the leaders of the guerillas, on neutral land in South Africa, with himself as a mediator. After a thoughtful pause, President Uribe agreed under the condition that the kidnapping and killings stop while in South Africa. The audience cheered. Fifteen minutes after the conclusion of the conference, the leader of one of the primary guerilla organizations phoned (from prison) to speak with the South Africans to accept the proposition for peaceful negotiations. Peace is now in process. Peace is possible..

Next Steps for Spreading Shared Accountability

Sophie and Mark have been invited to South Africa to discuss bringing our message of personal and Shared Accountability to the government, businesses and people of South Africa. We have been invited back to Colombia for continued discussions with leaders dedicated to peace and economic growth. There were several mediators working on behalf of restorative justice and the resolution of conflicts that we will be meeting within upcoming months. We will provide an update on all of these activities as the movement of Peaceful Accountability expands.
Stay Tuned. Peace is possible

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