Collaborative for Peace, Sudan and South Sudan

The Collaborative in action

Peace committees

The Collaborative have set up peace committees across North and South Sudan. These are made up of elected representatives of the surrounding communities. Their doors are open to everyone, regardless of political or tribal affiliation, and they work with communities to mediate in disputes and stop them from erupting into large-scale violence. They deal with long term disputes as well as rapid response cases.

The disputes they deal with are life threatening, last year a young man came to them as his tribe had bought 40 weapons, ready to go to war with a neighbouring tribe. The committee successfully found a peaceful resolution, just one of the 35 conflicts they resolved last year.

We had forgotton what our children’s smiles looked like, but you have given them their smiles back – thank you. - Mariam, local woman, Sudan

In April 2010 the peace committee intervened in a five-year-long conflict that had overshadowed nine communities – 5,000 people. Fierce fighting between armed tribes meant simple acts like farming land or fetching water became near impossible under the constant threat of attack, doctors could not reach the area and medicine could not get in. But ever since the Collaborative managed to negotiate a reconciliation, people can fetch water in safety and farm without fear of the next attack. People have begun to trade, doctors and teachers are returning to the area. The intervention cost just £2,000 – about 40p for each of the 5,000 people in the communities. Read more here

Mediating oil conflict

The Collaborative is also working with remote communities in oil-rich areas to map the environmental impact of oil exploration. They are working to position themselves as a neutral service provider to the oil companies to find mutually positive solutions for the communities and the the companies.

Oil is key to the future of Sudan. Officials and oil companies are recognising more and more that it is good for all parties to minimise the social and environmental effect of oil extraction. The Collaborative is working with industry officials, the government and local communities to avoid the damage and conflict seen in other oil regions such as the Niger Delta.

It is the Collaborative’s close connection to communities that means it can be so effective on the ground, because it is made up of many grassroots groups. And yet, because they all work in collaboration, their collective voice is loud enough for the government, oil companies and other large organisations to hear their fight for large-scale improvements in the lives of people who have been through so much.

Make a donation today and help them make these voices heard.