Doctor Madawi (home page)

Sudanese Social Development Organisation (SUDO)

Peacebuilding can sound very vague, intangible. But one of Dr Mudawi Ibrahim Adam's first initiatives, in Darfur, was to suggest that housing for refugees should be built from stone, not wood, as being more likely to withstand burning.

He mobilised over 50 friends to create SUDO – the Sudanese Social Development Organisation – in 2001, when conflict was looming in Darfur but not yet widespread. The group brought a wide range of skills, from human rights expertise to journalism, and Dr Mudawi’s own background in engineering. Five years on, SUDO is one of Sudan’s most significant NGOs, and most of the original group are still involved.

‘Conflict could have been halted in 2002,’ comments Dr Mudawi ‘but it would have required three things – resolution of local tribal conflicts, longer term work to bring tribes together, and the introduction of a more federal system, sharing resources equitably.’ Unfortunately the last of these is still the major obstacle to peace in Darfur.

In the absence of a peace agreement, SUDO is working in parallel on humanitarian aid and peacebuilding initiatives. In dealing with IDPs (internally displaced people) in Darfur, Dr Mudawi has fought hard for what he believes to be right – good quality accommodation, not basic shelters, and the provision of facilities such as clinics and schools in villages, where they can be of permanent value, not in the camp itself. Aware of the dangers of deforestation, one camp is working with the Sudan Government Department of Forestry to ensure that each IDP household plants and cares for two trees outside their home. In this way, when the camp is no longer needed, it will leave behind a forest of jatophra trees, fast growing and providing oil for soap and cooking. And importantly, animal-resistant!

This co-operation with one part of Government does not prevent him and SUDO from being constantly harassed by the police in relation to their peacebuilding work. One strand focuses on bringing together Dinka and Reziakat tribes to resolve longstanding differences. Another strand trains local people in peacebuilding techniques so that they can resolve conflicts before they escalate. The government is liable to call and demand that these workshops be closed down. The response from SUDO? ‘Tell the police to come and close them down – don’t ask us to do it.’ ‘If you fight back, they retreat’ says Dr Mudawi.

Working in this way in Sudan is challenging and dangerous. Dr Mudawi has been arrested seven times in the recent past, once on a charge carrying the death penalty. SUDO is constantly at risk of infiltration by Government agents. Still it survives and prospers, thanks to the commitment of the staff and volunteers, and at times, the protective influence of its overseas donors. As a human right defender at risk, he is the winner of the Front Line award, presented by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese in May 2005.

In the same year, accepting an award from Human Rights First he said

By profession, I am an engineer. My expertise is water supply systems. I founded an organization with others devoted to development, which we see as a human right.

But we quickly realized we needed to address other human rights issues. What would you do if this were your country, if you were faced with these atrocities? You would fight them too.

And so, SUDO’s mission is to create a human rights movement capable of defending itself and seeking a society free from all forms of human rights violations.

SUDO’s work will feature in Insight on Conflict, Peace Direct’s web showcase of peacebuilding initiatives in selected conflict areas.

For more information please contact chris@peacedirect.org