MCC Washington Memo

In 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) brokered a power sharing government, articulated a roadmap for Sudan’s recovery, and ended two decades of civil war.  However four years after the signing, full implemetation has yet to be realized.  Significant challenges including elections, border demarcation, and demobilisation remain, according to a recent IRIN article.  Despite these obstacles the article states that,

“Local leaders in Southern Sudan say relative calm has allowed them to begin to focus on health, education, and other social services and meeting the resettlement needs of returnees.”

While progress has been made in Sudan, it is clear that considerable challenges and lingering uncertainties will exist until the CPA is fully implemented.

Click here to learn more about Sudan, the CPA, and how you can get involved.

Five years ago, the crisis in the region of Darfur erupted. The conflict has killed 300,000 and forced another two million to flee their homes.  In 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed by the conflicting groups.  Last year, African Union and United Nations peacekeeping troops (UNAMID) arrived in Sudan. Despite the signing of the CPA and UNAMID’s presence, the Sudanese people still live in danger and insecurity.

The International Criminal Court’s warrant for arrest of current President Omar al-Bashir is a step forward in achieving justice for Sudan.  The court accused him of war crimes including genocide, crimes against humanity, and murder.  These accusations show how directly the Sudanese government is involved in the conflict and how the people are unable to protect themselves.  The government of Sudan continues to claim innocence despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis that has cost thousands of lives.  Further, international bodies are far from stopping it.

UNAMID is unable to gain control and influence the crisis because of the small number of troops and disagreements about their responsibilities.  A recent IRIN article discussed some of UNAMID’s tasks, including the responsibility

“to engage in high risk assignments and the protection of people in imminent danger, preventing attacks and threats against civilians, and in monitoring and providing security and protection in IDP camps, threatened villages, and migration routes.”

These assignments are simply not enough to effectively protect the people of Sudan, as civilians continue to die and government attacks persist.  As a result, the citizens of Sudan remain unsafe and unprotected.

The international community needs to pressure the government of Sudan to fully implement the CPA and stop militant attacks against its citizens.  Until peace is attained, refugees cannot return to their homes and the country will not rebuild.

Visit mcc.org/sudanaction to learn more about the situation in Sudan and how you can advocate for peace and justice.

By Fithe Heramo

From BBC NEWS: The United Nations has announced it is to withdraw non-essential staff from the war-torn Sudanese region of Darfur.

The move comes after a prosecutor at the International Criminal Court sought the arrest of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for genocide in Darfur.

Read more from BBC News.

Learn how you can help work for peace in Sudan with the Washington Office Waging Peace in Sudan campaign.