Funding: Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – December 2022 – ongoing
Within the framework of the Action aimed at contributing to peace and reconciliation in Central Sahel and Southern Libya, Promediation and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to extend the program’s activities to Darfur and Eastern Sudan. Indeed, despite the signing of the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA) in October 2020, Sudan did not experience the expected positive developments on the ground in the conflict zones covered by the agreement, particularly in Darfur and the East, and the political and security situation there has significantly deteriorated. Thus, Promediation’s work, with the support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to promote peace and stabilization in Darfur and the East of the country.
To contribute to the de-escalation of tribal tensions and strengthen support for the peace process among traditional authorities, Promediation organized a preparatory workshop with tribal leaders from Eastern Sudan, to help them build their common negotiating position and a common and open peace platform. This workshop, held in Khartoum on March 2-3, 2023, brought together about fifty participants and resulted in the production of a joint document containing recommendations and a common position between the parties for the future of the region.
However, the outbreak of war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023 disrupted the framework of the Action and required readjustment to better respond to the new situation and the changing priorities of the beneficiaries. The redefined action therefore aims to assess the updated needs of the population and contribute to mitigating tensions that have increased following the conflict. Starting in October 2023, Promediation organized several consultations in localities within Gedaref State, involving various stakeholders such as traditional leaders, political leaders, women’s organizations, civil society organizations, and activists.
This program also aims to develop an analysis of local and regional issues related to Sudan through in-depth research and the production of several research reports on Eastern Sudan, Darfur, but also Sudan and its links with countries in the region such as Eritrea, Ethiopia, and the Central African Republic. A closed-door research workshop on Sudan and its regional environment, attended by numerous experts and specialists, took place in June 2024 in Paris.