While Sudan is enjoying the first few days of ceasefire in Dafur, and in the run-up to the preparation for the general elections and referendum on the Southern issue, The Humanitarian Forum (THF) is working to become part of cementing the relationship between Sudan and the outside world, from a humanitarian point of view. Following the visit of the high-level delegation last November, THF went to Khartoum to discuss peace in Dafur. We held meetings with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, HAC, and a number of special advisors in the humanitarian field, to try and capitalise on humanitarian society, to build peace in the Sudan as a whole.
The atmosphere in Sudan is different from that which we experienced at the beginning of last year, when some aid agencies were asked to leave the country, and even from the atmosphere of the meetings we held in London last November. The authorities are taking on a new role, and the tune of the officials is changing. It has become more welcoming than the media portrayed last year. Now is our opportunity build a stronger relationship and a solid bridge, and we will all have to revisit our roles as we look to strengthen the role of civil society in Sudan and build long term peace.
We have to see Sudan not as a handful of problems - which we can impose solutions on from the top down - but to see Sudan as a resourceful country – as its own solution – which all of us need to bear its fruits. We need to change not only the local mindset in Sudan, but our own mindset. If we want to maximise the our common global benefit which is emerging from Sudan, the only way forward is to meet in the middle.
I am optimistic about the signing of the ceasefire, but optimism is not enough. We must now work to change the ceasefire into sustainable peace, based on delivering the needs of citizens of the area, and become vital parts of the Long Term peace. Not only for the benefit of Sudan and its citizens, but for the benefit of humanity.
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