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Options for Pro-active, Sustained Canadian Action for Peace With Justice in SudanContents
The following options are based on:
There is a consensus among Sudan analysts that sustained international pressure will be necessary to keep the warring parties at the negotiating table and to achieve an agreement that will result in a just and lasting peace. Recent experience in other peace-making processes demonstrates that some level of engagement by civil society actors on both sides is also essential. While Canada has a limited role in the official peace process, it can play an important role to maintain sustained international pressure and facilitate much-needed civil society engagement for peace in Sudan. On the international front Canada should take every opportunity to maintain international pressure on all parties to the conflict to pursue peace negotiations rather than military solutions, including incentives and disincentives for the successful completion of the IGAD peace process. Canada could facilitate and support initiatives to broaden support for the Machakos talks within Africa, perhaps leading to the formation of an African partners forum that might include South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Libya, and others. The growing number of civil society initiatives for peace in Sudan can play a significant role in the next stage of the Machakos talks. The accumulated impact of the various initiatives will encourage the parties at the official talks to give greater consideration to the needs of civilians in both north and south Sudan. Canada could support various initiatives, including continuation of the People-to-People peace process, related civil society reconciliatory initiatives, peace initiatives by women and youth, and initiatives to prepare for peace in areas where civil society structures have been decimated by the war. Common positions expressed in the various civil society peace initiatives
should be promoted by Canada in interventions with the mediators
and parties at the official peace talks. This may require facilitating
opportunities for engagement between the Canadian Peace Envoy and
the various civil society actors working for a just and lasting
peace.
Initiatives Canada has taken to promote the right of access to humanitarian assistance by all people in Sudan, in keeping with international humanitarian law, are appreciated. We encourage Canada to exercise a strong, principled role within UN structures, with other donors, and with the parties to conflict in Sudan, to end the manipulation of humanitarian assistance within Sudan and ensure regular, unimpeded access to all areas.
Violations of human rights in Sudan are not just an unfortunate by-product of the conflict. They are a major contributing cause of conflict. Respect for human rights must be part of the process to build peace in Sudan. Canada should consider support for broad-based civil-society human rights initiatives that could advance the principles of public accountability and transparency. Efforts to promote these principles through governmental initiatives, such as the Committee for the Elimination of Abductions of Women and Children and the Danforth initiative to monitor attacks on civilians have not been very successful. In addition to proposals for a sustained, independent, international monitoring presence, there are proposals for training Sudanese to engage in human rights monitoring and reporting within the framework of international law. We would encourage Canada to consider supporting these proposals.
Northern and southern Sudanese alike assert that governing structures based on respect for diversity and human rights, with genuine accountability to the people, are essential for any peace agreement to last. These principles are common to the peace proposals that have emerged from civil society initiatives. Canada can share lessons learned from our experience with federal models of governance that allow for significant diversity. Canada has expertise and organizations to assist in developing municipal governing structures in areas of Sudan where there is a need for capacity building to administer basic public services.
The Government of Sudan and the SPLA have agreed on the need to stop the use of landmines and begin demining programs in preparation for peace. Canada should seize this opportunity to support demining programs that incorporate peace building initiatives. Canada is a strong advocate for implementation of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms. In March, 2000, government delegates from the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes Region, which includes Sudan, adopted the Nairobi Declaration on Small Arms and Light Weapons, which calls for concerted action to address the problem of the proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons. Specific strategies to implement the Nairobi Declaration should be promoted as part of the peace process and supported by Canada. Security sector reform is another area in which Canada has established a reputation for helping other governing authorities find practical solutions to protect civilians and respect human rights. Effective mechanisms to protect civilian security will be essential for a lasting peace in Sudan; Canada could offer assistance in this area as part of preparing for peace in Sudan.
What Canada needs now is strong leadership and sustained political will to make and maintain a long-term commitment to help the people of Sudan. At the recent G-8 Summit in Alberta, Canada showed leadership in adoption of the Africa Plan of Action. Achieving peace in Sudan is identified as a priority in the plan. Canada can demonstrate its commitment to implementation of this component of the plan by pursuing the proposed policy options through sustained action in the international arena and support for initiatives undertaken by the Sudanese people, with the support of partners in Canada. |
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