Christian Aid and Partners meet UN Security Council on Sudan Peace

Christian Aid has given a message to the United Nations Security Council at a special session in Nairobi. Their message was powerful, as they simply stated that the people of Sudan want peace and they want it now.

From southern Sudan, Acuil Malith Bango, a community representative said, "The history of Sudan is full of dishonoured agreements. But because of all the recent attention on the Sudanese peace process, we the people have high hopes and expectations. We demand peace now."

Acuil came from a local civil society group who was given the opportunity to raise their concerns regarding Sudan directly with the UN Security Council.

The meeting was arranged by the Sudan Advocacy Coalition of International Non-Governmental Organisations, of which Christian Aid is part of.

The Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) held talks earlier in November with the promise exchanged that a comprehensive peace deal would be drafted before the end of 2004.

Reacting to this promise the Sudanese community leaders welcomed the commitment, but emphasised that it must be made sure that these were not just words, but that positive forward action must be taken.

Representatives from southern Sudan requested that communities should be involved in the peace process, "To demonstrate that peace is achievable and can make a real difference, Sudanese women, men and children need to be empowered to take up their rights, express themselves freely and participate fully in the decisions that affect their lives."

In return for the Sudanese government and the SPLM/A coming to a peace agreement, the UN Security Council have implemented a resolution pledging to support the proposals. However, despite this the UN Security Council have failed to create a strong resolution to push harder for an end to the violence.

Christian Aid’s senior policy officer said, "We welcome the progress made on peace for southern Sudan, but the latest resolution is a step backwards with regard to Darfur. It no longer includes the threat of sanctions and fails to repeat the Government of Sudan’s responsibility to disarm and bring to justice the Janjaweed."

It is hoped by many that the once a peaceful resolution can be made to end this conflict, the other long-term conflict in Sudan can quickly follow suit, to bring peace to the devastated nation.

Daw Elbait Elnour Mohammed from Darfur told the Security Council, "The Sudan peace protocols are a useful model for peace in the whole country not just between the north and south. There are real opportunities now to re-establish the rule of law and rebuild trust between communities. Traditional systems for local governance and social cohesion which have been destroyed must be revived. These systems would help build peace in all of Sudan, but especially in Darfur."