Promoting Sustainable Peace in Sudan through Post-Conflict Justice and Reconciliation

As part of its ongoing Sudanese peace-building process, Concordis International facilitated a four-day consultation in late March for 25 prominent members of Sudanese civil and political society, with international experts providing invaluable perspectives on truth and reconciliation commissions, traditional grassroots processes and more formal national and international justice processes. The neutral, low-profile venue was a very appropriate environment for the Concordis methodology of informal research-based dialogue, away from media pressure. Generous donations from private individuals and grant-making trusts made the consultation possible. Participants explored some of the complexities of transitional justice, examining case studies from across Africa and applying lessons to the Sudanese context. In vigorous, frank and informed discussion, they considered issues of amnesty, impunity, reconciliation and healing. Although the group recognised that it may be premature to make decisions on such subjects for Darfur, they agreed that it cannot be too soon for Sudan as a whole. Participants attended in their personal capacities, but between them represented a broad and inclusive range of key Sudanese political and geographical constituencies. Despite political differences, participants agreed a very constructive set of recommendations and practical proposals in the areas of accountability, justice, truthtelling and reconciliation1 and were very keen to continue this dialogue, in order to establish policies on these issues that will contribute to sustainable peace in Sudan.