Sudan Peacebuilding Initiative
Following 14 months of intensive negotiations with the European Commission Delegation to Sudan, in December 2008 we were awarded a grant for a two-year peacebuilding programme to address tensions and potential threats to the implementation of the CPA. The project is focused on the central area of Sudan where North and South border each other and includes:
- A review of existing conflict mapping and analysis relevant to the CPA as well as a review of current peacebuilding activity;
- A series of low-profile, unofficial consultations and conferences to enable influential figures from all concerned parties to work together in an environment conducive to constructive engagement, of which so far three consultations have been completed (on conflict de-escalation in Southern Sudan, on North-South cross-border relationships and security issues, and on tribal relationships in the disputed Abyei region);
- A series of sub-grants to civil society organisations and individuals, designed to encourage and contribute to comprehensive transformation of Sudanese society and therefore to sustained stability and peace. Sub-grant projects so far include: a film project on Sudanese culture and its contribution to national conciliation; research by the University of Juba Centre for Peace and Development Studies on North-South cross-border relationships in central Sudan; workshops by the Sudan Inter-religious Council on peace and security in Eastern Sudan; and joint work by Northern and Southern Sudanese civil society and parliamentary assemblies. In addition, projects are being developed for cross-border peace dialogue between the Dinka, Misseriya and Rizeigat tribes and for work on citizenship policies for displaced Southern Sudanese in the North.
Political tensions and suspicion in Sudan have meant that the logistic and administrative basis for full implementation of this project has developed only slowly and, for instance, the local staffing is only now being fully implemented.
PBI Sub-Projects
