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New agreements in Sudan cause for tentative optimism?
Dr Hany El Banna meets with Sudanese State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Abdelbagi Gailani Ahmed.
UN figures announce that the civil war in Sudan has claimed 300,000 lives since 2003. But although there is still much work to be done on the road to peace and recovery, some significant developments in recent days have given cause for optimism.
Firstly, a ceasefire agreement between the Sudanese government and the largest rebel group in Dafur: the Justice and Equality Movement, has gone some way to stabilising the situation, and it is hoped that this will form the basis for peace talks going forward.
Secondly, on Tuesday 2nd March, seventeen of the rival parties in Sudan's upcoming general elections signed an election code of conduct, promising to conduct free and fair elections when the time comes. Although the northern-ruling National Congress Party were not present, African Union representatives announced that they have committed to signing at a later date.
These developments are the result of an international diplomatic effort, but there is now an urgent need to turn words into actions. But since the high-level delegation to London by Sudanese officials last November, which was organised by The Humanitarian Forum, there has been a change of tone in the relationship between government and civil society.
Commenting on his return from a recent visit to Sudan, Dr Hany El Banna said, ‘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.' He added, ‘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.'
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