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Understanding the war to bring lasting peace to eastern Sudan

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005 raised hopes that the conflict in eastern Sudan would come to an end. But the agreement failed to include all groups involved and there are indications that the region is once more moving towards conflict. An understanding of the root causes of this complex conflict is vital to securing a truly comprehensive peace.

Eastern Sudan is mostly inhabited by Beja groups, who have over the centuries learnt how to live with often harsh environmental conditions. In the last few decades, however, the Beja have faced many difficulties and have increasingly come into conflict with the government of Sudan. The Beja Congress (formed in 1958), is now in political alliance with a variety of opposition groups representing the Beja and others living in the region. In the 1990s, the Beja were directly involved in military operations against the government.

In 2005, the Comprehensive Peace agreement was signed. However, some groups have claimed that the agreement is anything but ‘comprehensive’, and that it should be seen as a framework for further negotiation rather than a final product. In the meantime, despite efforts to avoid conflict, tensions are rising, particularly in urban centres where income levels are so low that people cannot access the limited services available.

An article from a number of non-governmental organisations operating in Sudan, emphasises the importance of understanding the causes of the conflict and the groups involved in order to build a lasting peace. The strategies adopted by the Beja tribes over time are examined, along with how the system has been weakened. The author also lays out a framework for much-needed development strategies that are ultimately the only guarantee of peace in eastern Sudan.

The author finds that the conflict originates from the following:

The Beja have suffered neglect and underdevelopment since colonial times, a trend that has continued to the present, resulting in increasingly militant demands for fairer sharing of resources and better governance structures.
In recent years environmental conditions have worsened, increasing pressure on populations already living in extreme poverty.
The government of Eritrea, and to a lesser extent Egypt, have long influenced politics in eastern Sudan: the Sudan Government accuses Eritrea, for example, of militarily supporting Beja groups.
The influence of traditional authority has considerably weakened in recent times, especially in urban centres where militant youth are reacting against the lack of opportunity to break out of their poverty.
Specific government actions have created anger amongst the Beja, such as the loss of traditional land to mechanised agriculture and the mechanisation of Port Sudan: violence at Port Sudan in 2005 created further resentment.

Key recommendations include:

continuing with negotiations while preparing to follow this up with coordinated development action from international agencies
establishing emergency and disaster management plans and health programmes to eradicate diseases such as tuberculosis
building up the skills and resources of local government and communities
promoting confidence-building measures, and awareness of the CPA through local languages.

Source(s):
‘Comprehensive Peace? Causes and Consequences of Underdevelopment and Instability in Eastern Sudan’, NGO Paper, by Sara Pantuliano, September 2005 Full document.

Funded by: UK Department for International Development, International Rescue Committee, CARE International, Christian Aid, Oxfam International, Save the Children UK and Tearfund

id21 Research Highlight: 10 March 2006

Further Information:
Research Fellow
Humanitarian Policy Group
Overseas Development Institute
London SE1 7JD

Tel: +44(0)20 7922 0362
Fax: +44(0)20 7922 0399
Contact the contributor: s.pantuliano@odi.org.uk

Overseas Development Institute

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