Identifying factors promoting or obstructing healing and reconciliation: Observations from an exploratory research field in ex-Yugoslavia

Neighbor-on-neighbor killing causes lasting harm to individuals, communities and societies. Even though the territory has been divided, a geographical proximity that has particular consequences remains along ethnic lines. In such context, when antagonist parties must live as proximate neighbors, post-conflict trauma must be addressed for reconciliation to occur. In ex-Yugoslavia, years of various peacebuilding measures and efforts have been giving priority to physical and tangible consequences while neglecting psychological sufferings. In this article, I argue that while instrumental reconciliation may have occurred to a certain level in former Yugoslavia – allowing cooperation for tourism, and the like – such reconciliation remains insufficient to sustain peace since it does not address post-conflict emotional reactions which, unaddressed will fester and grow – becoming potential tools of future political manipulation and/ or potentially sparking violence.