How can a country heal after civil war?

Civil wars inflict horrific atrocities, generating deep-seated grievances and desires for revenge. Close to 90 percent of today’s civil wars are the return of old conflicts fueled by grievances, trauma, and injustice. Wallenberg Academy Fellow Kristen Kao will investigate if the measures countries turn to will help populations feel that justice has been served and reconcile former enemies.

After a civil war, it is difficult to achieve peace. Brutal memories, hatred, and distrust simmer beneath the surface. What can reconcile former enemies, and what does it take for a country to return to a state in which its people feel that justice has been served?

Dr Kristen Kao at the University of Gothenburg will explore these questions in the BIG PEACE project. The project questions the idea that state-led justice is always the best answer, recognizing the vital role that religious, tribal, and other community leaders play in resolving disputes.

Using in-depth interviews, public opinion polls, and experiments across several countries, the project will explore what “justice” means to different people, who they trust to deliver it, and how this influences whether peace will last.

By identifying patterns across different cultures and conflicts, BIG PEACE will offer practical, evidence-based guidance to governments, international organizations, and peacebuilders. It will move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions, supporting more inclusive, locally rooted approaches to justice – helping war-torn societies move from fragile ceasefires toward genuine, durable peace.

Photo: Private