Search for Common Ground (SFCG), has for the past four days been bringing together theatre troupes from Rwanda, DRC, and Burundi to perform for societies and celebrate their solidarity.

"We have used participatory theatre to transform the way the world deals with conflict,” Chris Plutte the Community Director of SFCG said.

"One conflict leads to another. Therefore even bitter enemies can find a common ground to build a better relationship in a non-violent way.”

SFCG developed a Great Lakes Regional Strategy that uses theatre since it’s easily identified by each of the countries in the region to help solve conflict both within and across the borders.

The festival participants on Tuesday went collecting information on social conflicts in Rwamagana, Bugesera, Rulindo and Kamonyi Districts.

Thereafter, a theatrical performance focusing on how to solve the particular conflicts was staged for the residents in each of the districts.

At the closing ceremony held at Nyamirambo Stadium, Youth Minister Protais Mitali expressed his delight with the festival which mainly employed youth dancers and actors.

"In the past, the youth have been used by evil politicians to bring about conflict and suffering to their nations. However, this activity has illustrated the transformation at hand, whereby the youth are used to bring unity to their societies,” the Minister said.

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