Activities 2010

Justice Africa has been working with stakeholders in the Kordofan region to coordinate a transition to peace from 20 years of war in the region and to prevent any future violent conflicts from recurring. Throughout this year, Justice Africa convened three conferences, bringing together key stakeholders in the localities of Kadugli, Al muglad and Abyei town. The purpose of these conferences was to improve relations between Dinka Ngok and Misseriya tribes and hold consultations to work towards a consensus on how to achieve peaceful coexistence during and beyond the transition period. Stakeholders involved in the current deadlock in Abyei were also encouraged to discuss and share views on the implications of the implementation of the Permanent Court of Arbitration decision and the coming Abyei referendum on the livelihood of the local population. Please click here for full reports on the Dinka Ngok and Misseriya Conferences.

The Kordofan Steering Committee has been conducting research in priority areas for peace building identified through consultation with activists, researchers, traditional and community leaders and Kordofani citizens at the beginning of this project. Activities with community leaders in Heiban and Kadugli have also been ongoing, following up from the recommendations for action identified in the conferences at the end of 2009.

Additionally Justice Africa supported work towards a free and fair census in South Kordofan. The 2008 census was marred by political manipulation and a boycott by the SPLM in some of the areas controlled by them. This led to discrepancies and distorted the demarcation of constituencies which resulted in protests from the SPLM in South Kordofan and the deferral of the gubernatorial elections and elections of the state assembly. Please click here for a detailed report on census activities.

Permission was given by the national government, for the census process in the state of Southern Kordofan to be redone given that the results of the initial census were contested. The census process is a difficult process for a state such as South Kordofan, with weak governmental infrastructure, and there is a need for intensive training to enable the citizens of south Kordofan to undergo the census process. Justice Africa has taken on the responsibility of training trainers and has selected candidates, such as, students, lawyers and women to help the people of the region in the census process.

Follow up on the recommendations made in the Heiban conference in 2009

In collaboration with the Kordofan Steering Committee Justice Africa began following up on the recommendations for action identified in the conference in Heiban held at the end of 2009. The recommendations identified the priority needs for development in Kordofan. Justice Africa and the Steering Committee began worked on two proposals from May 2010: a project to build 7 wells in 7 areas of Heiban in order to ensure the provision of potable drinking water in the region; and a research project to identify the healthcare needs in Heiban and surrounding localities.

The healthcare Project proposal was successful and Justice Africa and the Steering committee have received funding from Comic Relief. The research is currently being carried out. In Heiban in general there is a shortage of midwives, no availability of basic drugs and medicines and no qualified doctors. People living in Heiban have no access to information about nutrition and hygiene. High numbers of women die during child birth and the infant mortality rate is one of the highest in Sudan. This research project will provide a baseline study of healthcare needs of Heiban and present the research in a conference to government, UN and other donors and civil society in order to ascertain where they can provide support. Our research can then be refined to address basic provisions that are not being met by government and apply for funding. As a result, projects which bring tangible and much needed health services directly to local communities in Heiban can be coordinated.