USAID/OTI Sudan Field Report
October 2003
Program Description
Since 1983, an estimated two million Sudanese have died as a result of the protracted conflict, drought, and famine. In the past year, however, several positive developments within Sudan have occurred, providing new opportunities to finally resolve Africa's longest war and move the country toward a lasting peace. In addition to several successful local-level, people-to-people peace processes, the Government of Sudan (GOS) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) appear to be on the verge of a peace agreement.
OTI's work links ongoing peace processes to initiatives that promote increased participation of southern Sudanese in their governing structures. The OTI southern Sudan program has three main objectives: - the strengthening of key processes, mechanisms, and institutions for responsible governance and civil society development;
- the increase in access to quality, independent information;
- and the promotion of processes, mechanisms, and institutions that promote peace and stability.
OTI's program in southern Sudan supports activities in the following focus areas:
- Independent Southern Sudan Media: Given the high levels of illiteracy in southern Sudan, radio is the most effective vehicle for relaying information about the peace process, general news, and updates on humanitarian and development programming. With funding from OTI, Educational Development Center (EDC) has established a two-hour, Monday-Friday short wave local-language radio service for southern Sudan.
- Foster Demand for Good Governance: OTI's efforts focus on strengthening the rule of law by increasing the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary and developing governance entities in southern Sudan. OTI has issued a grant to the British NGO Christian Aid to provide targeted assistance to the judiciary and critical civil society actors working to promote good governance.
- Provide Rapid Targeted Support to Governance and Peace-building Efforts: Proposed OTI interventions in this area include the provision of technical assistance/capacity building to civil society groups and key sector governance bodies, and the implementation of community-identified priority projects to secure local peace agreements among citizens. OTI has contracted with the US-based NGO Pact, Inc. to create a small grants mechanism to implement such activities.
COUNTRY SITUATION
With the momentum of the signing of the September security agreement between the GOS and SPLM, peace talks have rounded a new corner. GOS and SPLM representatives and leaders have three areas for which they need to come to an agreement before the final peace can be signed and the agreed interim period can begin. These areas are power-sharing, wealth-sharing and the disposition of the transitional areas.
While the pace of progress has been somewhat slower in October, this can be attributed to the general exhaustion of the parties, the particularly difficult issues which the parties are attempting to tackle, and external factors such as the start of the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan.
Peace talks resumed on October 6 and then broke for Ramadan on October 26. While the parties did not manage to negotiate a signable agreement on any of the remaining three issues, talks are still considered to be moving ahead and progressing at a reasonable pace. The talks will resume November 30.
The United States is continuing to support the process and in early October a US security team was sent to assist in the negotiations. The October 22 visit of United States Secretary Colin Powell reinforced US support for the Sudan Peace process. GOS Vice-President Ali Osman Taha and SPLM leader Dr. John Garang both agreed to push for a settlement on all matters before the year's end.
The GOS has taken visible steps to bolster the peace process. GOS officials ratified a mine ban treaty in October, bringing them into line with the southern rebel SPLM group which signed a similar treaty in 2001. The Khartoum Monitor, an English language newspaper that was shut down by government officials in July, has been re-opened. In an even more significant move, the GOS released opposition leader Hassan Turabi on October 13 following two years of house arrest. These actions show promise for continued dialogue and participation of the GOS in the peace process.
Despite the progress in the talks between the SPLM and the GOS, instability continued to reign in parts of Sudan. Most notably, conflict and displacement continued in the western provinces of Darfur. The rebel movement, the Sudanese Liberation Movement (SLM), has been fighting GOS forces in an effort to gain greater autonomy for Darfur. The two sides had signed a cease-fire agreement in early September, but sporadic fighting continued throughout the month. The conflict has continued in October, including reports of attacks with casualties ranging from dozens to over 100. Statistics for the numbers of displaced persons have continued to rise, with the current estimates at nearly one half million people. The international community has initiated assistance efforts for displaced persons, yet there is little optimism that the refugees will be able to return to their homes in Darfur in the near future.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Narrative Summary
October was marked by the launch of several new initiatives by the OTI Sudan Program, including new radio programs, in-depth Rule of Law discussions and increased small grant provisions. The OTI Sudan strategic plan has been completed and is being reviewed by Washington and stakeholders in the field. A final plan is expected to be distributed to all relevant parties in mid-November. OTI is preparing to hire a local PSC to complement its current staffing. This position will cover all three focus areas, with special emphasis on media. The OTI program assistant will be making her first trip to the field and will begin to contact prospective grantees to assist in coverage for the small grants initiative.
The Sudan Mirror, the first national newspaper aiming to develop a culture of peace and justice in war-torn Sudan, was launched in October. 30,000 copies of the bi-monthly English-language newspaper were printed in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, and distributed by NGOs in Sudan or sold in shops and refugee camps in Kenya, Uganda and England, primarily for diaspora. The second issue released in October featured an article on US Secretary of State Colin Powell's visit and his support for the peace negotiations. The Sudan Mirror provides news, entertainment, advertisement and social awareness messages from Sudanese journalists and development and relief agencies working in Sudan. The first two issues included articles on HIV, land mines, and eradicating Guinea Worm.
The Sudan Radio Service has continued to provide increased access to information to the Sudanese people in 9 languages. In addition to the regular programming of news and music, SRS has begun to add special interest stories and programming directly related to the peace process. October highlights of this programming:
- Round table discussion on Security Arrangement agreement signed between SPLM and Government of Sudan.
- Interview with USAID Assistant Administrator for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, Roger Winter.
- Cultural/Historical programs on Nuba Mountains and Funj Kingdom.
- Interviews with Sudanese musicians.
- Coverage of press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
SRS will expand programming to include a wider variety of broadcasts, including Sudanese musicians with songs on themes of education, health and IDP issues.
In anticipation of the peace agreement, OTI partner Christian Aid (CA) continued to push forward with work on the creation of development plans for marginalized regions. CA sponsored four meetings with marginalized Southern Blue Nile stakeholders to discuss coordination of activities towards a development plan. A working group was set up to monitor and coordinate activities. CA has participated in the creation of a civic education strategy and the formation of an umbrella group to coordinate civic education activities, with OTI funds provided through CA and PACT.
Grant Program Activities
PACT issued four small grants in October, with $124,000 in funding supporting activities ranging from newspaper publications to the creation of a civic education umbrella structure. Grants were provided for media groups, local council associations and civil society umbrella organizations. PACT continued to assist civic authorities charged with organizing the All-South Conference scheduled to take place in early 2004. To increase the effectiveness of the steering committee, communication equipment was provided for the organizing committee leader and discussions were held on technical assistance. The conference is intended to provide a wide audience with the opportunity to participate in the peace process, ratify legal code, and create a civil authority structure as a foundation for the southerners to build up a government.
October trips to southern Sudan by OTI and PACT staff coincided with numerous groups applying for small grants. The trips also allowed staff to see the current situation on the ground and the needs of local citizens. The PACT base camp in Kapoeta is nearing completion and work has begun on the base camp in Rumbek. Because both PACT and USAID/OTI headquarters are off shore in Nairobi, these camps will allow PACT and OTI staff to better engage with communities in the field.
NEXT STEPS/IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES
- OTI staff will recruit an additional PSC (local hire) to facilitate improved OTI coverage of the various programs, especially media.
- EDC and OTI will continue working to finalize agreements with Government of Kenya that will facilitate work permits and tax free status for the radio station and its expatriate employees.
- Pact will continue to complete field camps, staff field camps and spend significant amounts of time in the field building relationships with local communities.
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