Sudanese scholars gather to rethink peacebuilding approaches

On 4-5 December, the Sudan-Norway Academic Cooperation (SNAC) organized a two-day workshop in Nairobi, examining why five decades of peace initiatives have failed to deliver lasting peace in Sudan. The workshop brought together displaced Sudanese scholars and representatives from several of Sudan’s regional universities.

Earlier this month, the Sudan-Norway Academic Cooperation (SNAC) convened a two-day workshop in Nairobi to examine why five decades of peace initiatives in Sudan have failed to deliver lasting stability. The workshop brought together Sudanese scholars including displaced academics and representatives from regional universities such as El Fasher, Sinnar, and Gedarif to reflect on lessons from past agreements and explore more inclusive, locally grounded approaches. The papers will appear as part of a special issue edited by Munzoul Assal.

The workshop culminated in a public event on December 6, at the Rift Valley Institute, titled ‘Rethinking peacemaking in Sudan’. The discussion in Nairobi drew a big and engaged crowd to the venue and were also joined by a large digital audience. Panelists highlighted persistent gaps in past peace processes while stressing the need for more locally grounded and inclusive approaches to peacebuilding that better reflect the Sudanese context.