The article tests the common proposition inherent in transitional justice theory and practice which holds that apologies offered by former armed actors make people living in post-conflict societies more positive toward peace. Through a video-experiment where a random sample of Colombians in the conflict-ridden department of Meta were exposed to an authentic video-apology by one of the most known FARC-leaders, Timochenko, this study complicates that statement.
On average, we did not see a positive effect from exposure to the video. Yet, when the analysis was disaggregated we found an intriguing pattern: that participants who favoured the peace agreement reacted positively to the apology. Those who opposed it, on the other hand, reacted negatively. On average, the effects hence cancelled each other out. This pattern suggests that the strong division in public perceptions of the peace agreement could, at least partly, be the result of differing inclinations to accept armed-group apologies.
This result complicates understandings of the effects of apologies in transitions from wars to peace. It underscores the lingering impact of peace-agreement divides on preferences for either apologies or forgiveness. It is imperative we understand these preferences if we are to foster reconciliation and build resilient foundations for a peaceful future.