Siena 1
Darfur 2009: Toward Breaking the Impasse
Certosa di Pontignano, University of Siena
Siena, Italy
July 1, 2009 to July 4, 2009
This consultation is the first in a series of workshops on the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan. The organizers of this event brought together 17 representatives from six resistance movements engaged in the civil war in Darfur. The purpose of this consultation was to open the channels of communication, reconcile differences, foster a better understanding, and promote common ground among the movements, as a prelude to the future negotiations with the Government of Sudan. The particular objectives were as follows: (1) to establish among the factions a commitment to peace in Sudan, (2) to renounce the use of violence as a means for settling grievances between the factions, and (3) to seek improved relations among the factions currently engaged in conflict in Sudan. Designed as a problem solving workshop, this consultation offered a forum for unofficial, off-the-record, and noncommittal dialogue, analysis and the creation of options. The topics for discussion included the root causes of the conflict in Darfur, the elements of a vision of a New Sudan, and the new relationships that should be established among the factions.
Throughout the four-day event, participants stressed how the current divisions and disputes among the movements have had the unintended effect of continuation of the conflict, and that the road to peace in Darfur requires close cooperation among the movements. From this perspective, the participants decided to develop a statement of accord and a proposal for cooperation. In this statement the participants recognized that the fractured relationship of the resistance movements is counter-productive to the movements’ objectives, and that a degree of unity of such movements is a prerequisite for bringing peace to Darfur. The statement of accord is bold and multi-faceted in establishing preconditions for peaceful settlement of the conflict, as a prelude to the future discussions (negotiations) with the government. Linked to this position statement is the formation of a new network of communication. This statement provides a clear commitment to peace, to a renunciation of the use of violence as a means for settling disputes, and to the critical importance of cooperative relations among the resistance movements. The representatives gave their unanimous assent to this statement, as a draft to be presented to their respective leaders for their approval. The representatives insisted upon the need for another workshop, to take place as soon as possible, to deliberate again following the decisions and possible changes to the statement by the leaders of the movements and to incorporate the participation of other movements that did not participate in the workshop.
And in the end the participants expressed their approval of the method and result of this consultation. This was conveyed in the concluding remarks of one participant: “We need to meet again very soon. Everyday our people are dying. So, this wonderful work must continue to meet again very soon. We need to keep this work going.”
Siena 2
2011: Darfur at the Crossroads
Certosa di Pontignano, University of Siena, February 7-12
On February 7-12, the Sudan Task Group (STG) convened a problem solving workshop, “2011: Darfur at the Crossroads” in Siena, Italy. Towards the goal of building peace in this war-torn region of Sudan, the workshop conveners brought together representatives from some of the major resistance movements in Darfur as well as influentials from various sectors of Sudanese civil society—particularly non-governmental organizations and academia. The workshop was designed to complement the official negotiations currently underway at the Track I level, offering a forum for mutual conflict analysis and creative problem solving that avoids the constraints and pressures often associated with formal negotiations. Workshop participants were brought together to develop a common understanding of the crisis, craft a shared vision of the future of Darfur in Sudan, and explore possible collaboration in building a sustainable peace in Darfur.
The primary mission of STG is to foster peacemaking to reduce violence along with peacebuilding to promote security and well-being for the civilian population. The STG is comprised of conflict resolution experts from the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University, USA, and from the International Peace and Conflict Resolution Program in the School of International Service at American University, USA. For this workshop the STG collaborated with the University of Siena, Department of Contemporary and Comparative History. The importance of peacebuilding in Darfur cannot be overstated, given the recent violence on the ground and the continued deprivation of basic needs of Darfurians, both Arabs and non-Arabs.This consultation is the first in a series of workshops on the conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan.
During the workshop, the following topics were addressed: the current state of the conflict and the peace process, the impact of the referendum for independence of the South on the Darfur conflict, the influence and contribution of the international community to the situation, the current relations among the resistance movements, and their sense of common purpose. Moving beyond analysis of the conflict, the participants discussed possible directions and strategies for the road ahead, envisioning elements of a positive future in the political, economic, and social-cultural spheres of society, a future that will reverse the pattern of extreme deprivations of the essential needs of most Darfurians. In exploring mechanisms for realizing such elements on the ground, participants agreed to engage their colleagues at home in peacebuilding activities, restore the fractured relations among the resistance movements, and work towards giving due recognition to Darfur’s diversity, with respect to tribal, ethnic, and religious groups. The facilitators introduced plans for promoting continued communications among participants to advance the work of peacebuilding in Darfur and Sudan.
Consultation Organizers:
The School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University
The International Peace and Conflict Resolution Program at American University
Darfur Peace and Development
Consultation Sponsors:
Prof. Marcello Flores, Director of the Masters Program in Human Right, University of Siena
School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University
