International Day of Peace
Todays's world is blighted by on-going conflict and violence, where governments massacre their own people and woman and children bear the brunt of war time atrocities.
In order to raise awareness of the plight of the millions all over the world who are currently caught up in conflict, the United Nations have designated September 21st as the International Day of Peace.
This day provides an opportunity for individuals, communities and governments to come together and highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace.
Sudan's history of conflict
For the vast majority of its 52 years since independence, Sudan has been embroiled in civil war. A war between the North and South of the country raged from 1956-1972, and the same conflict flared up in 1983 leading to the loss of over 2 million lives and the displacement of over 4 million people until a ceasefire agreement was signed in January 2005.
Since 2003, conflict in the Western region of Darfur has resulted in an estimated 200,000 deaths and the displacement of over 2.5 million people. Both these conflicts have been driven by the dominance of a centralised minority government over marginalized regions of Sudan, and as well as these major conflicts in the South and Darfur, there has also been resistance and rebellion against the government in the Nuba Mountains, Abyei and in Eastern Sudan.
The conflict continues
In Darfur, atrocities against civilians continue. On August 25 Kalma Internally Displaced Persons camp, home to over 90,000 civilians who have been displaced by the violence, was attacked by government troops, leaving 30 dead and hundreds wounded. In May, the Darfur conflict spread for the first time beyond Darfur, when the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebel group launched an unprecedented attack on Khartoum killing more than 222 people.
Meanwhile the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between North and South Sudan remains in place, but suffered recent set backs due to conflict in the border region of Abyei in May and June, which left hundreds dead and caused the displacement of over 50,000 people. The oil-rich area of Abyei lies on the disputed border between North and South Sudan. In accordance with the CPA, an independent boundary commission was set up in 2005 to demarcate the border, but its ruling was rejected by the Northern government. The recent conflict shows the potential this issue has to derail the entire peace agreement.
A national population census was carried out in April, despite a last minute postponement by the South Sudan government. The results of this census have not yet been released but could cause tension as the South Sudan government have retained the right to reject the results. Elections due to be held in 2009 and a census on whether the South will become an independent state due to be held in 2011 have also the potential to spark a return to war.
The application in July by the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for an indictment of Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes has also caused problems in Sudan. Many, including the British government and the Arab League, are attempting to block the prosecution, arguing that it will bring greater suffering and threaten hopes of a peace deal in Darfur. Many fear to will also put strain on the existing CPA, particularly in terms of the possibility of elections being held next year.
As well as these major sources conflicts, Sudan is beset by smaller localised conflicts, especially in the South. The legacy of violence and availability of small arms in South Sudan, a consequence of the longest running civil war in Africa, as well as the porous borders with Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Central African Republic, means that tribal conflicts in the South have taken a deadly turn. Arguments over cattle, resources and marriages can escalate into armed battles. Cross border cattle raiding result in scores dead and injured. Attempts to disarm the civilian population are continuing, but often descend into chaos as happened recently in Rumbek, the capital of Lakes state. Moreover, unequal disarmament makes some tribes vulnerable to attack by neighbours in regions where disarmament has been slower.
Trócaire's peacebuilding work in Sudan
Trócaire has prioritised peace building in its work in Sudan with the objective of promoting peace, justice, reconciliation and a culture of respect for human rights and diversity in Sudan. These elements are vital to the sustainability of any other development work in Sudan. Working in partnership with the Diocese of Rumbek, the Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference and the Sudan Catholic Bishops Regional Secretariat, as well as through local organisations such as the People's Legal Advice Centre (PLACE), Trócaire seeks to create a long-term culture of peace through providing education on human rights issues, supporting local peace initiatives (especially within the church) and ensuring access to justice for poor and marginalised groups.
Trócaire's other programmes in Sudan in the areas of livelihood and civil society development compliments this peace building work by reducing causes of conflict in terms of access to resources and building citizenship where people feel responsible for their own futures and collectively find ways to address their own problems.
For more information on the International Day of Peace visit:www.internationaldayofpeace.org
