Masara to study conflict resolution in US
By Jackline Kaaya of SAUT
Arusha-based State Attorney, Yohane Bokobora Masara has left
for the United States for a year of studies in conflict resolution at the
University of San Diego in California, under the Fulbright Junior Staff
Development programme administered by U.S. State Department.
Masara is to pursue a Master of Arts in Peace and Justice Studies at the
University.
According to US Embassy spokesperson Michael Korff, Masara was chosen for the
programme because of the Embassy's belief that the countries in the Great Lakes
Region can benefit from the academic study of peace and conflict resolution
activities. He added that the Fulbright Programme is the flagship international
exchange programme sponsored by the U.S. Government, and is designed to
"increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the
people of other countries."
Commenting on his selection, Masara said that he was delighted by the
opportunity presented by the San Diego programme. He asserted that early
interventions are an effective way of averting conflicts. He added that the need
for conflict resolution in the country is evident, citing Mererani Tanzanite
miners and tribal boundary issues between villagers of Kiteto and Kondoa,
according to a press release by the US embassy in Dar es Salaam.
Masara has a special interest in conflict resolutions. He noted that he has
personal experience as Arusha State Attorney in conflicts that have resulted in
loss of life.
The refugee problem is another conflict-oriented issue, he noted. "When
conflicts are left to persist, neighbouring countries suffer the refugee burden.
Countries tend to be exporters of refugees when internal conflicts are not
resolved amicably in time." He added that in the year 2001, Tanzania exported
refugees to Kenya when CUF supporters from the Isles fled to Mombasa.
"It is my intention to do research on the root causes of conflicts and methods
of reconciling them," Masara said, adding: "I am grateful to the American
Embassy for this opportunity and I look forward to gaining skills and experience
in conflict resolution and bring back whatever I learn to the benefit of
Tanzanians."
Masara follows in the footsteps of Riziki Shahari of the Tanzania Centre for
Foreign Relations, who spent 2002-2003 at Notre Dame University, also under a
Fulbright scholarship, in that university's International Peace Studies
programme.
The J. William Fulbright Programme was established in 1946, and is the U.S.
Government's premier academic exchange programme.
