Peace Direct fears for another DarfurMay 2009

Peace Direct is extremely concerned by reports of violence from South Kordofan which could escalate into “ another Darfur.” Tom Gillhespy, Head of International Programmes who’s just returned from Sudan, says, “ These reports underline what local people have been warning of for sometime and it is clear that the state is in a highly critical situation. Not only is the scale of violence shocking but it demonstrates how conflicts can persist and escalate.”

Scores of people have been killed in violent clashes in South Kordofan and there are reports of 3,000 armed horsemen engaged in battles as local , tribal conflicts have been further inflamed .

Peace Direct support the Collaborative for Peace in Sudan who’ve been running workshops recently which highlighted the frustration with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

“It was clear that the CPA has yet to deliver the benefits of peace and many people see violence as the only way to improve their situation. Relatively minor pastoral conflicts over cattle raiding and land have been getting out of hand and this is precisely what local people have been afraid of.The challenges are huge but what the Collaborative continues to demonstrate is that there is still hope. “ added Gillhespy.

Peace Direct believes that people need to be offered alternatives to violence . By raising awareness of the elections and what they mean, people can begin to see those alternatives may be real.

To find out more about what local peacebuilders in Sudan are doing, click here http://www.peacedirect.org/peacebuilders/sudan/