With an eye on the upcoming elections in April 2010,  Justice Africa’s Civil Project is providing space for unlikely sectors of Sudanese society to come together to debate critical issues facing the country.
Participants of these meetings discuss issues such as poverty, corruption and the role of women in society. In October 2009, Justice Africa organized a one-day meeting for Sudanese political parties to examine economic policy. The organization has also supported women politicians from different parties to work together to place gender issues on the election agenda. Supported by OSI’s Africa Regional Initiative and by OSIEA, the Sudan-Sudan Dialogue is helping Sudanese to focus on issue-based politics rather than on identity.

In South Kordofan (Nuba Mountains), the scene of fighting and egregious human rights violations during Sudan’s 20-year civil war, Justice Africa is helping civil society to bring communities together. Despite the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, many of the local drivers of conflict remain in place. Community leaders and representatives of unions and civil society organizations met in late
2009 in Kadugli and Heiban with the aim of reviving indigenous mechanisms of conflict resolution and mediation. The meetings were very successful and as a result the state government has requested Justice Africa to hold a similar peace conference in conflict-ridden Umbarmbita.

For more information in English and Arabic, please see our implementing partner’s website: www.justiceafricasudan.org

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