By. Amb. Gordon Buay Malek
Charge’ d’ affaires, a.i
First of all, I would like to thank Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) for inviting South Sudan Embassy to participate in the commemoration of Africa Day, which coincides with the 10th Anniversary of HWPL, an international NGO which specialized in promoting peace throughout the World.
The Horn of Africa is a region located in Northeast Africa and has historically been characterized by various conflicts and tensions in the past and present. It encompasses countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan and South Sudan.
Most countries in the Horn of Africa, except for Kenya and Djibouti, experienced some kind of intra-state conflict. The recent one is the ongoing armed conflict which erupted in Sudan on April 15 this year. It is the conflict our government prioritized to resolve, as part of IGAD Tripartite Committee, due to its economic, social and political risk of spilling over to South Sudan.
II. South Sudan’s determination to resolve the ongoing Sudanese conflict
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has broader implications for regional stability. There is no doubt that such a conflict could spill over into the neighboring countries, particularly South Sudan because the two Sudans share a complex economic relationship characterized by interdependence, mainly in the oil sector and cross-border trade.
Prior to South Sudan secession from Sudan in July, 2011, the North and the South were unified under one economy. By then, Sudan possessed significant oil reserves, and the oil industry played a crucial role in its economy. However, most oil production facilities were in South Sudan, while the infrastructure for oil export, including pipelines and refineries, was in North Sudan.
After the overthrow of President Omar El Bashir in April 2019, South Sudan government embarked on mediation efforts to bring peace in Sudan by resolving conflicts in Darfur, South Kordofan and Southern Blue Nile. One of the key initiatives led by South Sudan government after the fall of President Bashir was the mediation of peace between the Sudan Transitional Government and various rebel groups operating in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan. The conflict in these areas had caused immense suffering and displacement of civilians for many years. South Sudan government facilitated negotiations and peace talks in Juba between the Sudan Transitional Government and rebel groups, aiming to address the root causes of the conflict and find lasting solutions.
On October 3rd, 2020, Sudan’s Transitional Government and representatives of several armed groups signed the Juba Peace Agreement brokered by South Sudan government. The agreement was a significant step towards ending the conflict and establishing peace in Sudan. It addressed various issues, including power-sharing, wealth-sharing, security arrangements, and the integration of rebel fighters into the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF).
Since the outbreak of the ongoing conflict in Sudan on April 15, South Sudan has been part of the IGAD’s Tripartite Committee entrusted to engage the parties to find a solution to the conflict and work towards facilitating dialogue and negotiations. The committee is collaborating closely with international partners and organizations to coordinate efforts and garner support for the peace process in Sudan.
III. Conclusion: The Role HWPL could play to bring peace in Sudan
The South Sudan Embassy would encourage HWPL to play a greater role in securing peace in Sudan by facilitating advocacy and promoting dialogue between the warring parties. By engaging the key stakeholders, including civil society organizations, community representatives, political parties, and policy makers in Sudan, the HWPL would be contributing to peacebuilding efforts in Sudan and the Horn of Africa.
The HWPL would be very helpful in promoting peace education initiatives in Sudan and the Horn of Africa. By organizing workshops and training programs for community leaders in the region, the HWPL would assist in stilling the principles of peace, tolerance, and nonviolence. Peacebuilding in the Horn of Africa is a complex and multifaceted process that requires sustained commitment, local ownership, and comprehensive approaches.