16 July 2024
Sudan, a country renowned for its generosity and hospitality, has long been a refuge for those fleeing conflicts in neighboring nations. Welcoming refugees from nine bordering countries, Sudanese society has historically been a mosaic of cultures and communities living in relative harmony. However, the recent escalation of violence has not only devastated the lives of the Sudanese people but also wreaked havoc on the countless refugees who had sought solace within its borders.
The recent meeting in Geneva between Sudan's warring factions, like many such mediated talks, ended in failure. This recurring pattern of fruitless negotiations begs the question: why do we trust mediators who seem more interested in perpetuating conflict than fostering peace?
The analogy of a hyena suing a lion for killing a sheep aptly describes this situation. Just as it is absurd to expect a hyena to seek justice from a lion, it is equally ludicrous to believe that external mediators, often with vested interests in the conflict, would genuinely work towards peace. History is replete with examples where such mediators have, directly or indirectly, fueled the wars they are supposed to resolve.
The Role of External Mediators
Many external powers and organizations involved in mediation
efforts in Sudan have strategic interests that often conflict with the goal of peace. These
interests can include maintaining regional instability to justify military presence,
controlling resources, or exerting political influence. The persistent flow of arms into
these conflict zones is a testament to the duplicity of these so-called peace brokers. While
they supply weapons that fuel the war, they simultaneously blame the victims for fighting.
As long as the weapons keep arriving, the fighting continues unabated, and the mediators'
true intentions remain suspect.
The True Stakeholders of Peace
The only genuine stakeholders in peace are the people of
Sudan. It is their families that are torn apart, their cities that are destroyed, and their
livelihoods that vanish. For lasting peace to take root, it is crucial for the nationals of
Sudan to take charge of their destiny. Building trust among themselves and initiating
grassroots efforts for reconciliation are essential steps towards ending the violence.
Sudanese customary laws and traditions, which have thrived for centuries and fostered
harmonious coexistence, offer a foundation for these efforts.
Understanding the Root Causes
To break the cycle of war, it is imperative to understand why
it continues. The primary driver is the external supply of weapons and support to various
factions, which perpetuates the conflict. Furthermore, internal factors such as ethnic
divisions, political power struggles, and economic disparities exacerbate the situation.
Addressing these root causes requires a concerted effort from the local population,
supported by genuine international partners committed to peace rather than profit—if any in
the international community possess such qualities.
Common Sense and Exhaustion
After years of exhausting conflict, it is time for common sense
to prevail. The people of Sudan must recognize that no external power will bring them peace.
They must look within, to their shared history and common humanity, to find the strength and
resolve to end the violence. Peace can only be achieved when the nationals themselves decide
that enough is enough.
The Power of Local Initiatives
Local initiatives and community-led peacebuilding efforts have
shown promise in various conflict zones around the world. In Somalia, for instance, local
elders and clan leaders have successfully mediated truces and ceasefires in certain areas,
demonstrating the potential of indigenous conflict resolution mechanisms. These efforts,
however, need to be supported and scaled up to have a broader impact. In Sudan, local
leaders and communities must come together to mediate truces and foster reconciliation.
These efforts need to be supported and scaled up to have a broader impact, leveraging
Sudanese traditions and customary laws to build a sustainable peace.
The international community still has a role to play, but it must be one of support rather than control. International bodies and foreign governments should focus on empowering local communities rather than providing endless humanitarian aid. They should support local peace initiatives and apply pressure to halt the supply of weapons. The recent evacuation of diplomats and foreign nationals from Khartoum during the peak of the conflict shows that when there is a will, there is a way to act decisively. The same urgency and commitment should be applied to stopping the war itself.
Conclusion
The endless cycle of war in Sudan will only cease when the people of the nation
take ownership of their future. Trusting external mediators with vested interests is akin to
a hyena suing a lion for killing a sheep—an exercise in futility. It is time for the
nationals to rise, understand the root causes of their suffering, and work together towards
a peaceful and prosperous future. Only then can the true promise of Sudan be realized,
bringing stability and hope to both its people and the many refugees who call it home.