Christian aid partners address UN over Sudan
-24/11/04
Christian Aid partners have deliv
Christian aid partners address UN over Sudan
-24/11/04
Christian Aid partners have delivered a powerful and simple message, that the people of Sudan want peace and they want it now, to the UN Security Council at a special session in Nairobi.
Acuil Malith Bango, a community representative from northern Bahr el Ghazal in southern Sudan said to the Security Council ëthe history of Sudan is full of dishonored 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.í
Acuil was part of a group of Sudanese representatives from local civil society groups who were given the opportunity to raise their concerns relating to peace in Sudan directly with the UN Security Council.
The briefing was organised by the Sudan Advocacy Coalition of International Non-Governmental Organizations which includes Christian Aid.
The Sudanese people have suffered over 20 years of civil war between the government of Sudan and the Sudan Peopleís Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). More than 2 million people have been killed and more than 4 million forced to leave their homes.
The Sudanese government and the SPLM/A held talks earlier this month and promised to reach a comprehensive peace agreement before the end of the year.
Sudanese community representatives, speaking directly to the UN Security Council, welcomed this commitment but stressed the importance of putting fine words into action.
Anisia Achiengñ a representative from Eastern Equatoria in southern Sudan emphasised the importance of involving communities in the peace process. ëTo 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.í
The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution promising to support the government of Sudan and the SPLM/A to help implement a comprehensive peace agreement.
However, while the Security Council expressed serious concerns about increasing insecurity and violence in Darfur, it failed to adopt a strong resolution to end this violence.
Stephanie Bridgen, Christian Aidís senior policy officer said, ëwe 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 Sudanís responsibility to disarm and bring to justice the Janjaweed.í
Christian Aid and partners hope that the experience the peace process to end the war in the south, can be used to bring peace to Darfur in the long term. The conflicts are different and separate but the solutions may be the same.
Addressing the Security Council, Daw Elbait Elnour Mohammed from Darfur said, ‘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.’
Christian aid partners address UN over Sudan
-24/11/04
Christian Aid partners have delivered a powerful and simple message, that the people of Sudan want peace and they want it now, to the UN Security Council at a special session in Nairobi.
Acuil Malith Bango, a community representative from northern Bahr el Ghazal in southern Sudan said to the Security Council ëthe history of Sudan is full of dishonored 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.í
Acuil was part of a group of Sudanese representatives from local civil society groups who were given the opportunity to raise their concerns relating to peace in Sudan directly with the UN Security Council.
The briefing was organised by the Sudan Advocacy Coalition of International Non-Governmental Organizations which includes Christian Aid.
The Sudanese people have suffered over 20 years of civil war between the government of Sudan and the Sudan Peopleís Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). More than 2 million people have been killed and more than 4 million forced to leave their homes.
The Sudanese government and the SPLM/A held talks earlier this month and promised to reach a comprehensive peace agreement before the end of the year.
Sudanese community representatives, speaking directly to the UN Security Council, welcomed this commitment but stressed the importance of putting fine words into action.
Anisia Achiengñ a representative from Eastern Equatoria in southern Sudan emphasised the importance of involving communities in the peace process. ëTo 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.í
The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution promising to support the government of Sudan and the SPLM/A to help implement a comprehensive peace agreement.
However, while the Security Council expressed serious concerns about increasing insecurity and violence in Darfur, it failed to adopt a strong resolution to end this violence.
Stephanie Bridgen, Christian Aidís senior policy officer said, ëwe 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 Sudanís responsibility to disarm and bring to justice the Janjaweed.í
Christian Aid and partners hope that the experience the peace process to end the war in the south, can be used to bring peace to Darfur in the long term. The conflicts are different and separate but the solutions may be the same.
Addressing the Security Council, Daw Elbait Elnour Mohammed from Darfur said, ‘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.’