I am currently pursuing a PhD in Peace Leadership and Governance, with a strong academic foundation in peacebuilding, conflict transformation, restorative justice, and governance studies. My academic training has equipped me with both theoretical and practical perspectives on post-conflict recovery, indigenous knowledge systems, and community-based approaches to peace. I have engaged in interdisciplinary research, drawing from peace studies, social justice, and governance, with a particular interest in African post-conflict contexts.

My PhD research, Restorative Justice and Indigenous Peacemaking in Post-Conflict Burundi: A Comparative Peacebuilding Analysis, examines how indigenous peacemaking mechanisms contribute to restorative justice and sustainable peace in post-conflict Burundi. The study analyzes traditional practices alongside formal justice systems to assess their effectiveness in reconciliation, healing, and social cohesion. Using a comparative and qualitative approach, the research seeks to generate original empirical data and contribute to scholarly debates on decolonizing peacebuilding and integrating indigenous knowledge into contemporary justice frameworks.

The Balzan Prize funding of US$ 10,000 will significantly support my research by enabling fieldwork in Burundi, including data collection through interviews and community engagement. It will also cover research materials, transcription, data analysis, and dissemination of findings through conferences and publications. This support will strengthen the quality, impact, and global relevance of my research.