Peacebuilding work in Sudan currently comprises work supported through the Peacebuilding Fund and the State Liaison Function programming undertaken by UNAMID.
State Liaison Functions, which entailed having the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Sudan support a whole-of-system transition concept from peacekeeping to peacebuilding using funding provided by UNAMID, is being drawn down in 2021 as part of the closure of UNAMID. To ensure continuity, priority programming under this modality that focuses on the prevention or relapse into conflict over the long-term will be considered for funding as new donor funding is identified.
The Peacebuilding Fund is a key proponent of United Nations peacebuilding efforts in Sudan. Prime Minister Hamdok requested Sudan’s eligibility to the Peacebuilding Fund from the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on 25 September 2019, on the margins of the General Assembly. In making the request, the Prime Minister underscored that his first and most immediate priority was to end the war and build a sustainable peace and that, as the UNAMID peacekeeping mission reduced its presence in Darfur, it was of utmost importance that a responsible transition to peacebuilding take place.
The initial tranche of PBF funding supported the transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding in Darfur. Programmes in Darfur support the Sudanese Government, through the Peace Commission, to build peace in Darfur by addressing land issues, the root cause and driver of much of the conflict, and to rebuild the social contract with and between all elements of the population through support to rule of law and the provision of basic services according to an inclusive and participatory approach at the local level. The programmes have complemented the State Liaison Functions and take place in all five Darfur states.
With the arrival of UNITAMS and the signature of the Juba Peace Agreement on 3 October 2020, PBF Sudan has shifted its focus to supporting the peace process.
Accordingly, the second tranche of PBF programming channels support to the peace process in Sudan, including implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement (JPA) signed between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) alliance on 3rd October 2020.
Three areas of intervention are foreseen: (i) Support to the National Peace Architecture, including design and establishment of the Peace Commission; (ii) Immediate support to the ongoing peace process, as well as to pre-implementation of the JPA, including a communications, outreach and advocacy campaign; (iii) Support to Government to ensure that effective coordination and establishment of reporting, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are in place to promote accountability of peace agreement implementation, in line with binding international and regional legal instruments.
It is of note that the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) encourages Government ownership through participation in a Joint UN-Government Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is comprised of Sudan’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, with the National Peace Commission as the technical lead. The Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the Chamber of Federal Governance and the Ministry of Justice are also members. From the United Nations side, the United Nations Resident Coordinator and implementing UN agencies funds and programmes are included.
More information on the UN Peacebuilding Fund: https://www.un.org/peacebuilding/fund
Read the story about peacebuilder Maria Abaker Osman, working with a PBF project in Sudan: https://www.un.org/peacebuilding/content/wpb-maria-abaker-osman-sudan