lwf dws sudan presentation on peace regional consultation dsm

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The Republic of the Sudan

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2,505,810 sq km (967,499 sq mi)

bordered by 9 countries

largest country in Africa

10th largest in the World

Administratively divided into 25 States 15 in the North, 10 in the South, 3 disputed

Sudan Country Profile

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PopulationTotal - 39.5 millionSouthern Sudan - 8.5 million (2008 census est.);30%-33% urban

Major Ethnic groupsNorth - Arab/MuslimSouth - Black African/Christian and animist

ReligionsIslam (official), 75%Christianity and Animists (South), 25%

Languages Arabic (official), English (official in the South) Over 400 tribal languages and dialects

Demographics

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Meroitic Kingdom, 2nd -3rd century BC 540 AD - Introduction of Christianity Christian Kingdoms – 6th century AD Spread of Islam 642-652 AD 1821-1885 Union with Egypt 1884-1889 Mahdi’s Revolt by a religious

leader Anglo-Egyptian Sudan Rule, 1899-1956 Independence - January 1956

Major Historical, Political Events

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1955 – 1972 First Civil War between the north and south

1983 – 2005 Second Civil War

January 2005, Signing of Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA); Establishment of Government of Southern Sudan

July 2005 - Death of John Garang SPLM/A leader April 2008 – Population census March 2009 – Indictment of President Al Bashir

by the ICC

February 2010 – National elections 2011 – Referendum on status of Southern Sudan

Major Historical, Political Events (cont’d)

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MAJOR CAUSES OF CONFLICT IN SUDAN Religious – Islam Vs Christianity Access to resources (water, pasture, oil) Perceived historical injustices Structural differences (Khartoum vs rest) Dynamics of Ethnicity (over 400 tribes) Cattle raids (traditional practice) Fragile Political situation (North/South)

leading to 2011 referendum Cultural orientation (macho culture)

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Obstacles to the peace in Sudan Dispute over oil-rich Abyei Disagreement on census results Small arms in civilian hands Inter-tribal conflicts Closely related is the returnee/resident

dynamics Tradition of cattle rustling Unemployment of demobilized solders Poor governance (Corruption, prioritization) The looming 2011 referendum

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Security risks being faced Insecurity along the main roads connecting

Juba with project sites increasingly deteriorating

Escorts for any vehicle movement becoming mandatory

Inter-clan and inter-tribal conflicts disrupting planned activities

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Measures being taken Voluntary disarmament Peace conferences Assessing hotspot areas Strengthening government structures Coordination with NGOs and other

stakeholders Enforcement of laws and regulations

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LWF Sudan Peace building strategy

Coordinate with Peace Commission at GoSS level

Establish peace committees at payam level

Encourage women to play active roles in peace building and conflict resolution

Provide training to peace committee members and local authorities

Increase access to resources (safe water, education etc) to reduce potential conflict

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Peace building & Conflict Resolution Approaches

Major cross-cutting issue for the programme

Full community participation

Empowerment

Rights-based targeting duty bearers and holders

Active role with Peace Commission at GoSS level

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Coordinate with faith-based organizations

Interact with ACT Juba Forum members

Liaise with UN Agencies

Share security updates

Engage youth in peace initiatives (sport activities)

Peace building strategy (cont’d)

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Focus areas for peace building activities

Ikotos County, Eastern Equatoria State

Twic East and Duk Counties, Jonglei State

Yirol East and Yirol West Counties, Lakes State

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Achievements

Training skills on arbitration, negotiation and reconciliation provided to 201 peace committee members and 45 local authorities

IEC materials promoting peaceful coexistence and reconciliation prepared and distributed

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21 payam peace committees established Several Inter-payam meetings conducted 30 conflict resolution meetings held in over the

last 15 months to foster good relations and peaceful coexistence

21 boreholes drilled for access to water 15 schools constructed for access to education Seed distribution for agricultural – alternative

source of livelihood – over the past two cropping seasons (a total 10,000 HHs)

Achievements (cont’d)

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Impact of peace building initiatives Appreciable involvement by women in

leadership as well as reconciliation

Reduced ethnic violence in project areas compared to non project areas

Amicable use of resources among different tribes (boreholes, schools etc)

Diversification to agricultural easing tension on pasture needs

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Destruction of a village due to tribal

conflict April, 2008

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Arrival of returnees from refugee camps

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First harvest after Reintegration

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More structures needed to reap dividends of peace.

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Discussion to resolve conflict

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Some sites are inaccessible by road.

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Thank You