SAM Organization for Rights and Liberties, in partnership with the Abductees’ Mothers Association and DT Institute, organized a specialized seminar titled “From Conflict to Recovery: Restorative Justice and Peacebuilding in Yemen” as part of the “SPARK” project. Hosted by the Transitional Justice Ambassadors Forum, the seminar explored the experience of Al-Sarari village in Taiz Governorate as a model for resolving local conflicts.
The seminar brought together academics, members of the Consensus and Reconciliation Committee, and human rights activists. The project team also presented a policy paper on behalf of its author.
The discussion highlighted the complexities of the conflict in Al-Sarari, located in Saber Al-Mawadem District, noting that the area represents a microcosm of Yemen’s broader, multifaceted conflict due to the overlap of political, sectarian, and military dimensions, particularly since the escalation of armed confrontations in 2016.
Dr. Abdulbaqi Shamsan, Professor of Political Sociology, explained that the roots of local conflicts lie in the failure of the national project, which led to the rise of sub-identities as alternatives to the state. He noted that political forces have exploited historical conflicts to strengthen their influence, stressing the importance of organizing community reconciliation initiatives to complement transitional and judicial justice.
For his part, Mr. Abdullah Jassar reviewed the experience of the Consensus and Reconciliation Committee in Taiz, highlighting its success in resolving several community disputes through participatory mechanisms and coordination with local authorities. He described restorative justice as a practical option in light of weak state institutions and ongoing security challenges.
Meanwhile, Isam Al-Sabri, the project manager, explained that the “SPARK” initiative in Al-Sarari, implemented between September and December 2025, relied on dialogue sessions and psychosocial support involving victims and community leaders from both sides. The initiative helped reduce tensions and foster rapprochement, despite the failure to sign a community code of honor due to political and security complexities.
The policy paper prepared by researcher Abdul Ghani Al-Hayajim indicated that the conflict in Al-Sarari stemmed from what it described as a “deadly triangle”: state collapse, economic deterioration, and sectarian polarization. It noted that the conflict led to the displacement of more than 150 families and the destruction of educational and health facilities.
The paper proposed a recovery roadmap based on three tracks: confidence-building, institutional recovery, and sustainable development, emphasizing the need for political will and long-term support to ensure the success of these efforts.
In closing, Dr. Tahani Al-Junaid, a native of Al-Sarari, affirmed that the initiative achieved important progress despite the absence of a signed code of honor. She noted that bringing conflicting parties to the same table is, in itself, a significant achievement and lays the groundwork for continuing reconciliation and peacebuilding efforts in the area.
