conference between Messiriya & Dinka for social Peace

Conference Name: - Dialogue conference between Messiriya & Dinka for social Peace

Conference Slogan: -  “Towards enhancing the values of tolerance and social peace”

Duration: -                 19 – 21 December 2010

Venue: -                      Kadugli

Participants: -           two hundreds participants from Dinka Ngok and Messiriya (representing the native administration, youth, women and civil society Organizations).

Beneficiaries: -          Dinka Ngok and Messiriya People.

Short Term Objectives: -

• To engage Abyei local community leaders in an exchange of ideas regarding peaceful coexistence and explore local proposals for action as well as transform them into project activities about peace-building in Abyei Area, in post referendum phase.
• To provide tribal (go-betweens) from neighboring communities to engage local custom and tradition in order to reach agreement.
• To develop joint statement for agreement of Messiriya and Ngok Dinka to peacefully live together.
• To have such joint statement signed by representatives of the two communities.
• To deposit copies of the joint statement with the commissioners of Abyei Area, Muglad sector as well as with the government of South Kordofan State, GOSS and the GNU.

Long Term Objectives: -      

• The effect on Messiriya and Ngok-Dinka livelihoods and investigate how to overcome negative impacts on inter-community relations, making provisions for sustaining peaceful co-existence between them through dialogue.
• To identify essential development needs of the people of Abyei Area that help in reducing conflict and to eventually provide needed services through Sudanese  and international development organizations.

Preparations for the conference: -

A delegation was sent by Justice Africa to Elmuglad and Abyei on the dates 20 Aug 10 and 20 Sep 10 consecutively. A number of meetings were held with the Native Administration and Civil Society organizations, where each of the two contending groups expressed his interest and desire for initiating dialogues between them. In addition to that each group has delivered documents expressing their perspective vision and proposed solutions to bring about peaceful coexistence and social peace.

Conference Scenario: – (with the basic principle of NO PRIOR AGENDA)

1. A committee was formed to plan and oversee conference milestones.
2. Operations body was formed to carry out all logistic activities.
3. Informing the concerned Authorities (Government of South Kordofan, HAC – Khartoum – Kadugli – Abyei – Elmuglad) and obtained either their permission or support.
4. Formal invitations to the Dinka & Messiriya delegates, Ajaweed, press and media, international organizations, Government Officials.
5. Organizing and coordinating transportation, accommodation, food for all participants and guests.
6. Venue booking and preparations.
7. A special issue of a magazine was issued covering the historical relations and livelihoods of the two tribes and biographies of the most famous leaders in the history of the two tribes and the conferences and treaties between them. The issue also covered a brief narration about justice Africa, its philosophy, mandate and activities.
8.   Opening session: Quran/bible verses, speeches: committee head and Director of Justice Africa, a lecture about social peace.
9. Handing over the conference Chairmanship to the Ajaweed Committee.
10. Dividing the participants into workgroups to discuss problems and come out with solutions.
11. The role Ajaweed in converging the views and draw recommendation/declaration.
12. Winding up.

Expected results: –

• Joint statement of commitment by the two communities to live together, peacefully will be submitted by JA to the AEC, as funding partner.

• The JA will request the AEC to invite Commission members, particularly NCP and SPLM for debriefing meeting on the outcome of the Kadugli conference and agreed joint statement.

The declaration: -

1. As a result of an initiative from Justice Africa, a dialogue conference is organized between Misseria and Dinka Ngok for peaceful coexistence under the above slogan. The conference convened in Kadugli – the State of South Kordofan during the period 19 – 21/12/2010.
2. Before the convention of the conference, initial meetings were held between the leaders of the two groups separately in Elmuglad and Abyei. Each group expressed and confirmed his strong desire and readiness to attend the Dialogue conference for setting and enhancing the values and principles of peaceful coexistence.
3. The conference was led by a number of honorable leaders of the Sudanese Native Administration from Blue Nile, South Kordofan, Upper Nile, Warrap and North Bahr Elgazal in addition to a number of experts in Conflict Resolution and Social Peace.
4. In the opening session, each party expressed his desire for peaceful coexistence irrespective of the outcome of the current and future political practices.
5. Despite the fact that prominent leaders from the two groups has attended, it was noted that some influential leaders from the side of Misseria did not come. Because the matter is serious and critical, more influential leaders are needed to attend the conference to guarantee a successful implementation of any agreement that may be reached.
6. The Ajaweed Committee along with Justice Africa would like to ensure to the two concerned parties (Dinka and Misseria), local and international public opinion the following: -
   1. The strong desire that was expressed by the two groups to achieve peaceful coexistence in the Area away from the political practices.
   2. Both parties confirmed the acceptance of dialogue in addressing obstacles related to peaceful coexistence.
   3. The desire of the two parties to resume dialogue in the near future whenever the necessary arrangements were made to achieve sustainable social peace.
   4. The readiness of the Ajaweed Committee to continue their unlimited efforts to realize and enhance values of peaceful coexistence.  Accordingly, Ajaweed and Justice Africa will coordinate communications and discussions with the two group leaders.
   5. Finally, the representatives of the two groups and the Ajaweed committee would like to extend their gratitude to The Organization of Justice Africa for their valuable efforts to realize and enhance Social Peace in the area.

Success indicators

1. Acceptance of each other
2. Both parties expressed their desire for peaceful coexistence.
3. Both parties’ desire in resorting to dialogue as a means of resolving conflicts.
4. Accepting the mediation of the Ajaweed committee.

The next steps

1. Declaration to be handed to Messiriya Nazir by the head Ajaweed committee.
2. Ajaweed committee to carry out consultations with the concerned groups.
3. Ajaweed to coordinate with Justice Africa the new arrangements for bringing the two groups for another conference.
4. To develop joint statement for agreement of Messiriya and Ngok Dinka to peacefully live together.
5. Capacity building training in peace building, conflict sensitive analysis, early warning and conflict prevention.
6. Establishing a joint mechanism from the two communities to monitor the process and jointly intervene to prevent any escalation.
7. Provide the technical and logistical support for the two communities to enable them undertake their task.