Next week, political leaders, international peacemakers, advocates, and civil society organizers will convene in Addis Ababa to discuss the quest for peace in Darfur and the role of Darfuri civil society in realizing that peace.
Hosted by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, an African foundation committed to good political governance in Africa, the goals of the Mandate Darfur conference are to facilitate a Darfuri-led initiative to "bring together civil society representatives of every community in the region, in order to build a mandate for peace."
Invitees include stakeholders from Sudan and the international community, including Darfuri traditional leaders, community organizers, lawyers, women and youth, along with rebel group representatives and Sudanese government officials. International non-governmental organizations and foreign diplomats are invited to attend purely as observers and will not participate in the discussions.
Perhaps the most unique aspect of this conference is the void that it seeks to fulfill. Taking lessons drawn from previous and ongoing Darfuri diaspora led initiatives, which I have had the opportunity to participate in an observer, the conference could be a tremendous vehicle to help facilitate and amplify civilian voices from Sudan, both within the country and out in the diaspora.
Unlike previous official and unofficial efforts for peace in Darfur, this would be the first time that non-armed Darfuri groups are consulted at the same time as armed rebels and government officials to determine their own fate. It would be the first time that the terms of the discussion are set by the civil society. And it would be the first time that the commitments and mandate for Darfur are drafted with the input and leadership from civil society organizations directly affected by the insecurity and instability on the ground.
Depending on the broad interpretation and application of the term "peacebuilding" -- whether it means stabilization and reconstruction, reconciliation, development, transitional governments, or traditional justice --- the quest for that peace has typically been secured through state-to-state negotations between governments and diplomats, not through comprehensive and inclusive talks that included the unarmed groups with the armed groups. Once those peace agreements are signed, the building of that peace and its implementation is often predominately developed by international humanitarian organizations whose immediate and primary goal is to provide relief and assistance to the people on the ground.
The Mandate Darfur approach creates a new space for the people most affected to speak and participate in a more inclusive dialogue for peace. If it goes well, their priorities, demands, expectations and concerns of the average Darfuri should be clearly identified and presented in a unified voice. If it doesn't, then Mandate Darfur at a minimum sets the stage for the international community's future efforts at examining and supporting civil society's crucial role in peacebuilding. One can only surmise how the rest of the stakeholders will react when they see and hear the demands of the people seated directly across from them at the same table.
Semhar Araia is an Africa Analyst and consultant based in Washington, DC.
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2 comments:
Mandate Darfur may create more space for Sudanese voices at Addis Ababa's international meeting to discuss peace in Darfur, but all too often people have not been listening. Perhaps, as Semhar Araia says, that sitting opposite each other at the "peace talk table", the message might be heard more clearly. But then we need action and durable peace. I've been in Sudan since 2005 and have heard this all before. Peace agreements have been made and broken before. I wish I could share Araia's optimism that this time will be different. I wait to hear the outcome.
Martina Nicolls is the author of The Sudan Curse.
Mandate Darfur may create more space for Sudanese voices at Addis Ababa's international meeting to discuss peace in Darfur, but all too often people have not been listening. Perhaps, as Semhar Araia says, that sitting opposite each other at the "peace talk table", the message might be heard more clearly. But then we need action and durable peace. I've been in Sudan since 2005, after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Southern Sudan. As for Darfur, peace agreements have been made and broken before. I wish I could share Araia's optimism that this time will be different. I wait to hear the outcome.
Martina Nicolls is the author of The Sudan Curse.
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