Peace Building in Sudan
Peace and Reconciliation in Malakal
The four-day workshop brought church leaders together to examine how divisions within churches, ethnic tensions and political conflict affected peacebuilding in Southern Sudan and how religious leadership could contribute to reconciliation.
Churches could become credible agents of peace in society only by strengthening reconciliation, unity in diversity and cooperation within the Christian community itself.
Areas Covered in the Report
- Peace and reconciliation within and among church denominations
- Intra-ethnic and inter-ethnic conflict in Southern Sudan
- Politics, religion and responsible church leadership
- The Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the transition period
- Christian engagement with Muslims for peaceful coexistence
- The inclusion of women, youth and traditional leaders in peacebuilding
Selected Workshop Highlights
Church Participation
The workshop involved leaders from five Sudan Council of Churches member churches and six additional church bodies, creating a broad space for intra-Christian dialogue.
Conflict Analysis
Participants examined ethnic, political, economic, social-cultural, religious and North-South dimensions of conflict while distinguishing root causes from immediate symptoms.
Shared Responsibility
Church leaders considered how to work with government, traditional authorities, Muslim leaders, women and young people to build sustainable peace.
Workshop Recommendations
- Conduct follow-up work on intra-church conflict and consensus-building among church leaders.
- Bring church, government and traditional leaders together around peace and development priorities.
- Create opportunities for church and Muslim leaders to build understanding and acceptance.
- Engage women and young people as essential contributors to development and reconciliation.
- Strengthen awareness of the peacebuilding implications of the transition and referendum process.
Publication Details
- Title: Peace Building in Sudan
- Workshop: Peace and Reconciliation Workshop for Church Leaders in Upper Nile State
- Location: Malakal, Southern Sudan (now South Sudan)
- Date: 18–21 May 2009
- Recorded by: Robert Mwanyumba
- Edited by: Johnson Mbillah
- Publisher: Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa
- Length: 68 pages
- Category: Publications
Download the Workshop Report
Read the complete workshop proceedings, conflict analysis, participant reflections, recommendations and historical context of peacebuilding in Upper Nile State.