UCOET is an organization providing behavior-changing opportunities among the communities with whom they work. They advocate and lobby at all levels: within the communities themselves and at government levels and they work together with humanitarian and development actors. UCOET aims to identify, plan and implement projects that benefit communities. Their projects intend to mitigate conflicts and provide peacebuilding and consensus-building among the Nuer and the Dinka in Unity state and Warrap state as well Dinka Ngok in Abyei and Misseriya in Southern Kordofan. UCOET strive to mobilize possible resources for peacebuilding in the region and across border mainly conflict involving Dinka, Nuer with Misseriya in Southern Kordofan. These projects will help to avert constant insecurity created by cattle raiding and denied access to Misseriya during the seasonal migrant along the Abyei Area and Unity State.

At the moment, UCOET is seeking donors to start human rights and gender sensitivity awareness among the communities and the government of Unity state.

Current Projects

• support a sustainable peace among different ethnic groups in the border areas of Warrap and Unity States, located in Mayom county in Unity State and , Twic and Lietnhom in Warrap state
• Road to Co-existence and stability, located in Abyei and Mugled
• Villages Assessment for returnees, located in Abyei Area
• Peace-building (Community Dialogues for Peace and Development), located in Unity State, Panrieng County

Related posts:

1. ALAM (Teachers First for Training and Research) ALAM is a teachers’ association committed to educating the next...
2. Doboj Rotor Doboj Rotor works in the Zenica-Doboj region stimulating economic growth...
3. Conflict Victims’ Committee (CVC) The Conflict Victims’ Committee (CVC) was established in 2006 with...

Such a way does exist. Local sources in South Kordofan indicate that locally-led peacebuilding organisations remain active and influential throughout the province, despite the crisis. Peace Direct, a UK charity that supports such groups, reports the following current examples: the Native Administration of village chiefs are acting to exclude combatants from their areas; the rival Nuba, Misseryah and Dajou tribes have agreed to maintain a ceasefire between themselves; similar agreements have been made elsewhere in South Kordofan and in Unity state, south of the border.

Until external influence becomes more effective, such local peacebuilders are the best channel for mitigating this crisis at the community level. They are already in place, they have high levels of respect, knowledge and operational capacity, and they can evidently reach the areas and groups that outsiders cannot.

What they need is to be supported with funding for their work, and recognition for their insights and analyses of what is a highly complex conflict. I would urge the international community to make contact with them, listen to their views, and fund their operations. These brave people are not victims but agents of change – and it is they who eventually will rebuild their society.

Related posts:

1. Sudan: building peace after independence Today the world will see the birth of a new...
2. South Kordofan: troops at war, tribes at peace? News reports are full of reports of violence in South...
3. Sudan Briefing: 2011-11-14 Following the independence of South Sudan, Insight on Conflict will...

News round-up:

• North and South Sudan have agreed on a framework for discussing post-referendum issues, including agreement on a “soft border”, if the South votes for independence. However, South Sudan continues to call for an increase in UN peacekeepers to form a buffer zone between the two regions.
• On Abeyi, which is due to hold a separate referendum on whether it should be part of a future independent South Sudan, negotiations are ongoing. This week the South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, declared that Abeyi belongs to the Dinka Ngok and any agreement on post-referendum issues was dependent on a deal over Abeyi. Representatives of the Dinka Ngok have threatened to block the nomadic Misseriya tribe – who migrate annually between Abeyi and the North – if a deal is not reached by the end of the month.
• Voter registration began on Monday 15 November. In the South there has been a large turnout, with some registration centres failing to cope. Things are different in the North, where turnout is very low. Some are blaming low media coverage in Khartoum and a failure to sufficiently promote the registration process. However, there are perceptions that the SPLM is actively discouraging voters from registering in the North, fearful of falling short of the 60% turnout threshold the referendum needs to be held valid. The NCP have said that the low turnout threatens the legitimacy of the referendum. Registration centres are also operating outside Sudan, including in London.
• The UN Security Council met last week to discuss Sudan. Britain is seeking to use its presidency of the council to prioritise Sudan and the referendum, with William Hague calling it a “defining moment for Sudan and its people”. UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, expressed his concern over “hostile public statements” by politicians in both the North and South.
• In Darfur, UNICEF has accused Khartoum of blocking humanitarian access to IDP camps. ICC prosecutors say this may be evidence of a continuation of genocide in the region. Kenya’s High Court is considering a request to arrest Omar al-Bashir should he visit the country. Uganda has demanded proof to back up accusations that they are supporting and harbouring the Justice and Equality Movement militia.

News in detail:

South Sudan

Uganda and South Sudan to discuss border row
20 Nov: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will meet Southern Sudan government President Salva Kiir Mayardit to discuss border dispute and ways to resolve it amicably, Kampala said this week.
http://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article36994

North-South Relations

South Sudan maintains demand for UN buffer zone
16 Nov: The government of the semi autonomous regional government of South Sudan has repeated its demands that additional United Nations forces be deployed at buffer zones either side of the North-South border.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201011180221.html

“Soft borders” important between would-be independent South and North – Machar
16 Nov: The second most powerful figure in the semi-autonomous Southern Sudan has reiterated his government’s commitment to maintain ‘soft borders’ with North Sudan in the event of South Sudan becoming independent after the referendum vote in January 2011.
http://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article36963

Abeyi

South Sudan president says Abyei belongs to Dinka Ngok
17 Nov: General Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the semi autonomous regional Government of South Sudan on Wednesday said that the oil producing region of Abyei belongs to the nine Dinka Ngok chiefdoms.
http://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article36971

Abyei stalemate dominates Sudan negotiations
16 Nov: The stalemate over Sudan’s oil-rich Abyei region is at the centre of current high-level discussions and negotiations over the east-African nation’s uncertain future.
http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Abyei-Stalemate-Dominates-Sudan-Negotiations-108445444.html

Dinka Ngok threaten to block Misseriya migration over Abyei stalemate
21 Nov: Representatives of the Dinka Ngok clans from the Abyei area threatened to prevent Misseriya nomads from entering the Abyei area if the stalemate over the Abyei Referendum has not have been solved before the end of this month. The threat was voiced at the conclusion of the Ngok Dinka consultation in Juba last week.
http://195.190.28.213/node/6215

Referendum

North and South Sudan deal to ease referendum tension
15 Nov: North and South Sudan have agreed a framework to resolve most outstanding issues ahead of a vote on Southern independence, the African Union says
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11754563

Southerners in Khartoum blame media for low registration turn out
17 Nov: Southern Sudanese in the national capital Khartoum on Tuesday blamed low turnout for voter registration on low media coverage and badly promoted registration centres.
http://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article36960

Excitement, frustration as referendum registration gets under way
19 Nov: Officials in Southern Sudan have expressed satisfaction four days into registration for a landmark referendum due in January, in which voters are given the opportunity to opt to transform the semi-autonomous territory into an independent state.
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportID=91135

High turnout in Juba centre as officials run out of registration materials
20 Nov: Hundreds of eligible voters who had turned up for registration at a Juba referendum registration centre located at Dr. John Garang de Mabior mausoleum had to queue for hours, after registration materials ran out.
http://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article36988

Sudan’s NCP threatens to reject referendum result
21 Nov: Sudan’s ruling northern party warned on Sunday it may not recognise the result of a 9 Jan referendum on independence if problems with registering voters were not resolved.

http://mobile.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/MCD150022.htm

Darfur

Khartoum under fire over IDP camp conditions
19 Nov: The Sudanese government is hampering international efforts to address chronic levels of malnutrition in camps for displaced people in Darfur, according to the country head of the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF.
http://iwpr.net/report-news/khartoum-under-fire-over-idp-camp-conditions

Sudan has to provide evidence of supporting JEM rebels – Uganda
20 Nov: Sudan has to prove that Uganda trains fighters from the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), a Ugandan diplomat said this week, denying accusations of supporting Darfur rebel.
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article37002

International

Sudan referendum is defining moment, William Hague tells UN
16 Nov: William Hague used this month’s British presidency of the UN Security Council today to focus world attention on the upcoming referendum in Southern Sudan in an attempt to prevent the region sliding back into decades-long civil war.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/16/sudan-referendum-william-hague-un

British radio stations to air ads for Sudan referendum
18 Nov: British listeners could soon be hearing radio adverts for a Sudanese referendum on independence after a group responsible for publicising the vote began bidding for airtime on British commercial stations.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/british-radio-stations-to-air-ads-for-sudan-referendum-2137062.html

Ban expresses concern over prospects for violence in Sudan
16 Nov: The United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Ban Ki-Moon said on Tuesday that “hostile public statements” by politicians in North and South Sudan highlight the risk of a return to violence ahead of the self-determination referendum in the South scheduled for next January.
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article36967

ICC

Kenya’s high court considers request that forces government to arrest Sudanese president
18 Nov: The Kenyan High Court received a request on Wednesday from the local chapter of the International Commission of Jurists that seeks an order from the judges that forces the government to arrest the Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir should he set foot in the country.
http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article36985

Related posts:

1. Sudan (North & South) The conflict in Sudan has many faces, the best known...
2. Sudan: Conflict Profile NB: in the text which follows, The Republic of Sudan...
3. Stories From the Editors Renewing the Pledge: Re-engaging the guarantors to...

The network seeks to build the capacity of its members by equipping them with conflict analysis and mapping skills so as to generate sufficient knowledge on RBC issues in the region. Policy advocacy and campaign skills will also be imparted to the network members to enable them to empower communities regarding peacebuilding & conflict prevention. The network also hopes to influence decision-makers and other actors by helping to build the capacities of grassroots actors to agitate for change through advocacy.

The network is therefore adapting a two-track approach by building the capacity of its network members to not only undertake policy advocacy but use the knowledge to empower communities to mount advocacy campaigns at their own level. The project also seeks to promote and foster linkages and information sharing through, RBC knowledge exchange within and without the region.

The history of the network dates back to 1998 when CSOs from Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia acknowledged that RBC’s are a leading threat to prospects of poverty alleviation and sustainable peace in the HEA. The idea was how to generate knowledge within the counterparts of the region and if possible seek ways of dealing with the effects of conflicts, which was greatly impacting on the daily programs of the counterparts. At inception, this coalition was a loose network where key counterparts would exchange knowledge and experiences through convening annual RBC Conferences. These conferences have been held since 2000 in Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia and the most recent one being in Uganda in 2008. There has been transition of this network from a loose coalition of CSOs from Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia to a sturdy regional network of over 20 CSOs having expanded to include Kenya, Eritrea and Uganda. Each country has established national RBC network comprising of CSOs and its activitie s coordinated by a national focal point [NFP].

The Regional RBC Network is comprised of nine RBC national networks with two for Sudan (South and North) and three for Somalia (Somaliland, Puntland and South Central Somalia). All these networks have elected a national focal point to coordinate the activities of the network and link its members to regional discussions around RBC issues.

RBC in Sudan

Sudanese Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) through their National Focal Point,The Sudanese Environment Conservation Society (SECS) have been part of RBC since the first meeting which was held in The Hague in 1998. An RBC Task Force (TF) was established by SECS in 2005 to handle all the issues related to the RBC. The Task Force designated a coordinator to lead the activities. The national network has no less than 26 member organisations that joined based on their willingness to engage in RBC activities in the Sudan.

In 2006, the National Forum saw the setting up of a Southern Sudan National Network, with 15 organisations participating. Since then and with the robust growth of civil society in Southern Sudan, members continue to grow, especially at the grassroots.

Related posts:

1. AlAbasia Association for Development and Peace AlAbasia aims to increase the public role of women and...
2. Sudan Inter-Religious Council (SIRC) SIRC is an independent non-profit-making NGO, which came into being...
3. Turath Organisation for Human Development Turath Organisation for Human Development directly helps to resolve local...

Adults also have their own expression of these brotherly ties as they exchange visits to those hospitalized and to each others’  homes, never thinking for a second of what geographical or ethnic background the other party has. They simply sit, chat and drink tea or coffee – men and women alike.

The Awoodah primary school teaches children whose parents hail from the many different regions of Sudan. The school’s administration is said to play an important role in creating association and healthy ties among the children and between the school community and the larger society surrounding the school. ‘Children sing together during breaks’, said a teacher.

George says ‘I don’t feel a difference between myself and the northern kids. I love my neighbours more than anything else in my life’. He says he loves the neighbourhood and will never leave even if the expected secession takes place. ‘I don’t know the south … I have never seen it in my life’, he said, adding that Medani means a lot to him.

Victoria Atwil, a southerner who has lived in the place for more than 30 years, says ‘I came here when I was only 15. Mom did not come with me. But, when I had my first baby, I found many mothers here’. She mentioned that Hajah Amna, a neighbor who is originally of the Agal-liyeen in the Wad Rawah area, cared for her and her baby. Victoria says ‘ever since, I decided to stay and repay the favour’– helping others the same way she was helped.

Hajah Amna in turn sees no difference between a northerner and a southerner. She says Awoodah sees people from the different regions of the country are no strangers.

Sultan Joseph Makwaj deems the neighbourhood a good model of a spirit of brotherhood and peaceful coexistence. He says ‘I get along well with neighbours, visit them, checking if they are well and partake into all social gatherings: weddings and funerals alike’.

Related posts:

1. Sudan (North & South) The conflict in Sudan has many faces, the best known...
2. The Plight of Religious Minorities in Pakistan In South Asia, and particularly in Pakistan, the case of...
3. Sudan Election Updates from Juba and Jonglei State The counting of votes has just started in Sudan in...

• To support local communities in implementing environmentally sustainable development projects;
• To mobilise its members to help local communities in their development;
• To raise awareness about the global, national and local environmental problems with emphasis on hot issues faced by local communities;
• To carry out research and study on environment issues that affects the quality of life;
• To create partner ship and working relation with local environmental problems with emphasis on hot issues faced by local community;
• To promote the issues of human rights, conflict reconciliation and peacebuilding in different parts of the country;
• To promote women’s participation in environmental issues.

ES believes that conflict resolution and peacebuilding can be achieved through social work and creation of appropriate links between the different tribes and groups in conflict, making use of traditional norms and regulations that maintained harmony and coexistence for generations in the country. Through such vision ES design its activities in close collaboration with local communities that guide the means of implementation.

The Environmentalist Society was founded in 1986 and registered in the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) as non-governmental organisation.

Peace & Environment Forum and Peace Camps

This initiative involves capacity building for young people who have been affected by the civil war in the area. The camps also aim to build trust and confidence between different communities through various activities ranging from sports to arts and cultural development.

The objectives of the initiative are as follows:

• Raise environmental awareness;
• Encourage the spirit of participation and self-help;
• Raise awareness on consumer protection and rights;
• Spread the culture of peace in the areas focused upon;
• Begin tree planting activities for homes and schools.

No related posts.

No related posts.

ELGABAS’s objectives are:

• To disseminate peace culture and promote peaceful coexistence between tribes;
• To increase women’s awareness about food and children’s health;
• To help poor families to find other activities that increase their income; and
• To encourage communities to learn by showing the importance of education.

ELGABAS provides seminars on peace culture, run by a lecturer from Dilling University and its Centre for Peace Culture. They use simple language when educating people in villages about the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

ELGABAS runs a household course for women, providing training on hand-made things such as netting or carpets.

Peace Culture Initiative for NGOs

ELGABAS tries try to avoid giving lectures about conflict resolution. Instead, they find drama is a good way to send a message. A psychology teacher from Dilling University, volunteered with them and turned our lecture into a drama show. This show, called “Conflict Resolution”, was produced with people from conflicting tribes, using actors who were already active in community drama activities. Invites were then sent to organisations working in peacebuilding and community building, plus many others involved in community participation.

The aim of this initiative is to have a broad understanding of conflict resolution, in order to affect the situation in the Nuba Mountains. Every now and then the different tribes of Arab and Nuba here restart dormant conflicts. Heightened awareness makes the local population more able to remedy these conflicts when they arise.

Each part of the three-part drama contains a message. The first part teaches the importance of living in peace and what we are going to gain from this. The second part is based on the role of local NGOs and communities in conflict resolution; connecting this with the history of Sudan. The third part contains the message that there are many examples of solving conflicts in the customs and tradition of our community.

No related posts.

The society uses the approaches co-operation, solidarity and integration at local, national and international levels. It has established membership and networks with other NGOs and international organisations.

Fundamental to FEPS is the use of young people’s energy to develop and improve their communities. Membership is open to everyone who shares its values. FEPS’ objectives are:

• To work for peacebuilding, peacemaking and peacekeeping;
• To spread human rights and peace culture;
• To improve the role of and empower women in the community;
• To urge youth in developing their communities;
• To disseminate the concept of democracy and good governance among people;
• To combat bad practices that affect women’s and children’s health;
• To eradicate poverty;
• To rehabilitate areas affected by wars, disputes and natural disasters;
• To achieve the objectives of integrated rural development by social, medical and cultural mobilisation;
• To prepare and develop research projects and studies which the objectives of the society.

FEPS has published several training manuals on conflict resolution, leadership skills, democracy, gender and human rights. It has also established monthly meetings on a range of different subjects related to peace, and developed workshops for young people on peacebuilding and democracy. It has learnt that after 21 years of suffering due to the civil war, a lot of work is needed among young people for reconciliation and to build a modern Sudanese state. FEPS hopes to spread this initiative to all parts of Sudan.

Freedom Equality Peace Society (FEPS) is a voluntary, non-political, non-profit, non-governmental organisation. It was established in 1999 and registered with HAC.

No related posts.

• Building effective networks;
• Strengthening the Network’s members;
• Pooling financial and human resources; and
• Providing a focus for civil society in areas such as peacebuilding, human rights, advocacy, and conflict based on natural resources.

NESI works to involve civil society in the peace process and advocates for a greater role for civil society in decision-making processes.

NESI participated in the drafting of the current Southern Sudan constitution and currently is making proposals regarding civil society law to the Government of South Sudan. NESI Network was also actively involved in the processes that culminated in the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Sudan.

Through its activities, NESI has made the following conclusions:

• Democracy is enhanced through the involvement of civil society in governance processes;
• In the current context of peace, civil society will be obliged to complement government efforts in the provision of basic services to Southern Sudanese; and
• The sustenance of peace requires collated local, national and international efforts.

Engendering Peace

‘Engendering Peace’ is a Sudanese training project which brings together civil society groups and representatives of state institutions in order to increase their understanding of human rights law.

Training is given to lawyers, magistrates, and civil servants, as well as representatives of civil society and the human rights movement in South Sudan. The project aims to raise knowledge of international human rights law, its development and its relevance to Sudan. The objective is to help create a human rights culture and help strengthen the rule of law in South Sudan. This is achieved by bringing together SPLM Judiciary officials and members of civil society in a single forum and providing access to training from renowned scholars in the field of human rights.

The aims and objectives of this initiative are:

• To train Sudanese people at the community level in human rights and good governance; and
• To inculcate respect for human rights amongst the Southern Sudanese, with a view to making it an integral component of a sustained peace.

No related posts.