In a region long marked by tension, fear, and unresolved pain, a quiet but powerful transformation began in March 2025. Through its Deris Wanaag project, the Organization for Sustainable Development Africa (OSDA) brought together voices that had once been divided—facilitating healing, reconciliation, and hope along the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
On March 22nd and 23rd, 54 participants gathered at Raz Plaza in Banissa Constituency. They came from both sides of the Banissa-Mubarak corridor—men, women, youth, local leaders, and marginalized communities—each carrying the invisible weight of trauma caused by conflict. But this wasn’t just another meeting. It was a carefully guided healing session—a space where pain could be spoken, grief could be acknowledged, and communities could begin to rebuild trust.
Led by skilled facilitators and supported by local authorities, the session opened doors to deep emotional expression. For many, it was the first time their stories were truly heard. By the end, what started as a gathering of strangers had become a circle of shared humanity. Participants left with lighter hearts and renewed hope—describing it as a turning point in easing tensions across the corridor.
But OSDA’s mission didn’t stop there. On March 24th and 25th, attention turned to the women—those who often bear the brunt of conflict’s aftermath in silence. Through a culturally rooted session known as Abaay Abaay, women from both Kenya and Ethiopia came together in a unique, sacred space to release their burdens.
Abaay Abaay is more than tradition—it’s healing through sisterhood. In the presence of chiefs, elders, and security actors, these women shared tears, stories, and laughter. What emerged was more than catharsis—it was resilience reborn. The corridor, once marked by fear, echoed with songs of unity and strength.
These back-to-back healing sessions reflect OSDA’s deep commitment to long-term peacebuilding rooted in community, culture, and compassion. Operating in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, OSDA continues to design interventions that not only address conflict, but also nurture recovery and resilience—one story, one person, one moment at a time.
