Uganda
Since 1991 , CHIPS has been working for reconciliation between the Iteso and Karimojong tribes in NE Uganda. Currently, the team is made up of Ugandans from both tribes who live together in the border area and work in water resources, agriculture, veterinary and community development. They encourage resettlement in the border area, cross border co-operation, trade and friendship.
Activities have included:
- Well-digging
- Dam rehabilitation
- Improving food security through loaning seed
- Restocking oxen and providing credit
- Production of tree seedlings
- Training Community Animal Health Workers
- Rehabilitation of roads and bridges
An update from Roy Calvocoressi regarding his most recent visit to the Uganda project is available here.
Ghana
CHIPS is delighted to announce that, as from late 2009, Paul Rose will be present in Northern Ghana with a view to establishing a new peace-making project. Northern Ghana has been a flashpoint for inter- and intra-ethnic violent conflict in recent decades and continues to suffer from acute poverty, in contrast to the progress being made in the south of the country.
CHIPS has been in contact for many years with various development and peacebuilding organisations, political and religious leaders in this region and is now looking to follow up on their invitations for us to work for reconciliation and peace between the conflicting communities.
Our work will focus on conflict between the chiefly and acephelous (non-chiefly) tribes who engaged in violence in the 1994-5 ethnic conflict which estimates say caused up to 15,000 deaths. Despite mediation and peace activities carried out by government and various local and international actors since then, there is still significant latent conflict in this region and, up to now, there is little sign of reconciliation.
