The Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation (CCMT) from Zimbabwe

TransConflict is pleased to showcase the work of the Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation (CCMT) from Zimbabwe, a member of the Global Coalition for Conflict Transformation.

With Robert Mugabe having ruled Zimbabwe since independence, the country remains beset by grave violations of human rights, deeply-rooted corruption and widening social and economic divisions.

The Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation (CCMT) was established back in 2002 as the Coalition on Conflict Management Trust, before changing its name in 2003. CCMT’s mission is to enhance communities’ capacity do deal with conflicts by raising awareness and creating synergies among decision makers and local stakeholders in conflict processes, thus building sustainable and constructive impacts towards transforming conflict and enabling a stable and durable peace.

The CCMT works to transform the ways in which societies deal with conflict, “away from adversarial approaches and towards collaborative problem solving. Using a multi-faceted approach…to find culturally appropriate means to strengthen societies’ capacity to deal with conflicts constructively.”

CCMT focuses on:

• Conflict issues that affect large parts of the community and cause polarization of community groups;
• Conflict issues that have been or have the potential to be destructive or violent.

In pursuit of its goals, CCMT:

• Provides relevant and quality training services to various organisations and groups in society;
• Established a resource centre through which interested members of the public can access information on conflict transformation;
• Provide conflict intervention services to individuals, groups, private sector companies and organisations;
• Conduct research and document traditional and non-traditional conflict transformation approaches relevant to social conflicts in Zimbabwe.

CCMT’s unique approach

CCMT’s work is guided by a unique approach, grounded in the following principles.

1. Non-prescriptive method – CCMT only carries out interventions “through responding to requests from the communities that approach CCMT themselves for the provision of conflict intervention services.”
2. Sensitization visits prior to an intervention – this ensures that communities are aware of CCMT’s services.
3. Development of conflict interventions for a specific community issue – CCMT works with the communities, upon submission of a request.
4. Assisting communities to recognise the value of working constructively with the conflicts they are experiencing – CCMT emphasises that working to transform conflicts will make communities function more effectively. CCMT explains that, “by working with communities on real conflict issues that they are grappling with and transforming these, they begin to appreciate the value of their conflicts as opportunities for positive change.”
5. Developing conflict transformation skills to ensure the sustainability of CCMT’s intervention.

Direct and indirect interventions

CCMT conducts both direct and indirect interventions. The former – which are carried out “upon request by the parties themselves or observers who recognise the need for outside assistance” – have mostly occurred in community conflicts. In such instances, CCMT employs a holistic approach that includes mediation, negotiation and dialogue. Examples of such interventions including in the Buhera District of Manicaland Province; Chirumanzu, Tongogara and Vungu Districts of Midlands Province, plus the Zaka district of Masvingo Province.

Indirect interventions, on the other hand, are co-facilitated with other respective organisations and communities, who take ownership of the process under CCMT’s guidance; guidance that includes conflict analysis and the provision of relevant conflict transformation skills.

Driving a community-driven reconciliation process in Zimbabwe

Research conducted by CCMT in 2004 concluded that, “the national level conflicts that had affected communities across Zimbabwe since colonial times, had in many cases, been given their colour and texture by the discordant relationships that were already existing in the various communities they were being played out in.” This prompted CCMT to develop trainings to equip ordinary people with the necessary skills to reduce the intensity of conflicts at the community-level.

CCMT supported the establishment of Community Associations – establishing 10 associations in the provinces of Harare, Masvingo and Midlands by 2007 – to offer quality and sustainable trainings to local communities. Further Associations were eventually born in Chitungwiza and Epworth, with Associations specifically for women being established in Kuwadzana, Mabvuku/Tafara and Highfeil. Further expansion lead to four Associations being established in Gweru and Masvingo, two in Mkoba North and Mkoba South, and two in Rujeko and Mucheke.

The Associations – whose skills were continuously enhanced in areas such as conflict transformation, mediation and dialogue – worked to convene dialogues on issues of concern to local communities, such as water, electricity and service delivery. CCMT itself ultimately benefited firsthand from the experiences of the Associations – which became officially independent in 2011 – and these dialogues. For CCMT, the Associations’ “beacon of hope is bright enough for them to light the way for their communities to deal with conflicts constructively.”

Testimonies of success

The following testimonies demonstrate the effectiveness of CCMT’s approach:

“I learnt that seating arrangement is crucial in dialogue. The set-up has been replicated at home with my family”

– Community member, Chirumanzu district

“I learnt that when you’re a moderator you’re not supposed to take sides. People in conflict situations must resolve their differences themselves”

– Social Services employee, Gweru

“My job is to handle conflict from different angles. Applying the dialogue tools has helped me in my role as a chief”

– Village Headman, Gweru

Through these carefully conceived and constructed processes, CCMT is making a vital contribution to achieving its vision for Zimbabwe of a society “where people actively participate in creating social and economic justice by managing and transforming all forms of conflict constructively.”

Please click here to learn more about the Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation (CCMT) from Zimbabwe.

What are the principles of conflict transformation?