Sudan Consultations 2010: Cross-Border Relations Project Reports and Summaries

The Cross-Border Relations Project

Concordis International is working in Sudan in partnership with the Centre for Peace and Development Studies (CPDS) of the University of Juba to facilitate a research-based dialogue project aiming to inform local and national peace and development processes, supporting cooperative, secure and economically viable relations across Sudan’s North-South border beyond 2011.

The project involves engaging border communities and authorities in the states along the North-South border as well as decision makers and opinion leaders in Khartoum and Juba.

A round of workshops are being facilitated in the border states, informed by a team comprising Concordis staff, CPDS researchers, and senior African experts. After these statelevel meetings, the project will bring workshop participants and additional policy makers together in a series of regional cross-border workshops, conferences, and briefings.

A one-page summary explaining the Cross-Border Relations Project can be downloaded here.

Cross-Border Relations Beyond the Referendum: Challenges and Opportunities

Unity State, Southern Sudan:

From 29 March to 31 March 2010 we facilitated a State Workshop in Bentiu, Unity State, under the title Cross-Border Relations Beyond the Referendum: Challenges and Opportunities to build concensus in Unity State.

This three day meeting brought together traditional authorities, civil leaders, and county authorities from the border Counties of Unity State, as well as relevant State level Commissions and Ministries. The workshop was an opportunity for border communities to develop principles and proposals to help inform what the border becomes; and help ensure that it works in the interests of a sustainable Sudanese peace.

Please click here to download the 2-page summary of the workshop, and click here for the full-length report.

Upper Nile State, Southern Sudan:

From 20 May to 22 May 2010 we facilitated a State Workshop in Renk, Upper Nile State, under the title Cross-Border Relations Beyond the Referendum: Challenges and Opportunities to build consensus in Upper Nile State.

This three day meeting brought together traditional authorities, government officials and civil society representatives, such as leaders of women and youth associations and religious leaders, from the Payams of Renk, Mabaan and Manyo Counties in Northern Upper Nile State, which are adjacent to the 1/1/1956 border between Northern and Southern Sudan. The workshop was an opportunity for border communities to articulate principles and proposals to help inform the management of the border and cross‐border relations; and help ensure that it works in the interests of a sustainable Sudanese peace over the long term.

Please click here to download the 2-page summary of the workshop, and click here for the full-length report.

White Nile State, Northern Sudan:

From 25 May until 27 May 2010 we facilitated a State Workshop in Kosti, White Nile State, under the title Cross-Border Relations Beyond the Referendum: Challenges and Opportunities to build consensus in White Nile State.

This three day meeting brought together traditional authorities, government officials and representatives of civil society, such as leaders of youth and women associations and religious leaders, from the tribes in southern White Nile state, who live adjacent to, and frequently move across, the 1/1/1956 border between Northern and Southern Sudan. Attending tribes included Silaim and Al‐Ahamda tribes from the western bank of the river, Sabaha and Nazi tribes from the eastern side, and others such as Dar_Miharib. The workshop was an opportunity for border communities to articulate principles and proposals to help inform the management of the border and cross‐border relations; and help ensure that it works this the interests of a sustainable Sudanese peace over the long term.

Please click here to download the 2-page summary of the workshop, and click here for the full-length report.

Agok, Abyei Area, Sudan:

From 15 June until 17 June 2010 we facilitated an Area Workshop in Agok, Abyei Area, under the title Cross-Border Relations Beyond the Referendum: Challenges and Opportunities to build consensus on Abyei.

This three day meeting brought together traditional authorities, local administrators, Abyei Area Administration officials and representatives of civil society, such as leaders of women and youth associations from Dinka Ngok communities in the Abyei Area. The workshop was an opportunity for border communities to articulate principles and proposals to help inform the management of the border and cross-border relations; and help ensure that it works in the interests of a sustainable Sudanese peace over the long term.

Please click here to download the 2-page summary of the workshop, and click here for the full-length report.

El-Muglad, Southern Kordofan, Sudan:

From 5 July until 7 July 2010 we facilitated an Area Workshop in el-Muglad, under the title Cross-Border Relations Beyond the Referendum: Challenges and Opportunities to build consensus on Abyei.

This three day meeting brought together traditional authorities, government officials and representatives of civil society such as leaders of youth and women associations and religious leaders, from the Misseriya tribe in the locality of Abyei. The workshop was an opportunity for border communities to articulate principles and proposals to help inform the management of the border and cross‐border relations; and help ensure that it works in the interests of a sustainable Sudanese peace over the long term.

Please click here to download the 2-page summary of the workshop, and click here for the full length report.

Kadugli, Southern Kordofan, Sudan:

From 25 July until 27 July 2010 we facilitated an Area Workshop in Kadugli, under the title Cross-Border Relations Beyond the Referendum: Challenges and Opportunities to build consensus in Southern Kordofan State on cross border issues.

The workshop on ‘Cross-Border Relations beyond the Referendum: Challenges and Opportunities’ held in Kadugli from 25-27 July 2010 was one part of an incremental process aiming to support border communities to develop principles and proposals to help inform what the border becomes; and help ensure that it works in the interests of a sustainable Sudanese peace.  These reports document the discussions and conclusions of the border communities of Kadugli, Abu Gebeiha, Talodi, and Rashad localities.

Please click here to download the 2-page summary of the workshop, and click here for the full length report.

Damazin, Blue Nile State, Sudan:

From 31 July until 2 August 2010 we facilitated an Area Workshop in Damazin, under the title Cross-Border Relations Beyond the Referendum: Challenges and Opportunities to build consensus in Blue Nile State on cross border issues. 

The workshop on ‘Cross-Border Relations beyond the Referendum: Challenges and Opportunities’ was one part of an incremental process aiming to support border communities to develop principles and proposals to help inform what the border becomes; and help ensure that it works in the interests of a sustainable Sudanese peace. This report documents the discussions and conclusions of traditional authorities, government officials, and representatives of civil society such as leaders of youth and women associations and religious leaders. Participants came from Damazin, Roseires, and Kurmuk minicipalities. 

Please click here to download the 2-page summary of the workshop, and click here for the full length report.

Cross-Border Workshops Sudan

Concordis International facilitated two regional cross-border meetings in Damazin and Bentiu in Sudan bringing together officials, traditional authorities and civil society representatives from both sides of Sudan's North-South border to build consensus on the nature of cross-border relations beyond the referendum.

Click here for the resolutions from the participants in Damazin and here for the resolutions from the participants in Bentiu. In addition to these resolutions, participants specified action plans to enhance confidence, security and communication across the border in the coming weeks and months.

The two events were facilitated by Concordis International in partnership with the University of Juba Centre for Peace and Development Studies with support from the European Commission and the United States Agency for International Development.