USAID/OTI Sudan Field Report
November 2003
Program Description
Since 1983, an estimated two million Sudanese have died as a result of the protracted conflict, drought, and famine. In the past year, however, several positive developments within Sudan have occurred, providing new opportunities to finally resolve Africa's longest war and move the country toward a lasting peace. In addition to several successful local-level, people-to-people peace processes, the Government of Sudan (GOS) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) appear to be on the verge of a peace agreement.
OTI's work links ongoing peace processes to initiatives that promote increased participation of southern Sudanese in their governing structures. The OTI southern Sudan program has three main objectives: - the strengthening of key processes, mechanisms, and institutions for responsible governance and civil society development;
- the increase in access to quality, independent information;
- and the promotion of processes, mechanisms, and institutions that promote peace and stability.
OTI's program in southern Sudan supports activities in the following focus areas:
- Independent Southern Sudan Media: Given the high levels of illiteracy in southern Sudan, radio is the most effective vehicle for relaying information about the peace process, general news, and updates on humanitarian and development programming. With funding from OTI, Educational Development Center (EDC) has established a two-hour, Monday-Friday short wave local-language radio service for southern Sudan.
- Demand for Good Governance: OTI's efforts focus on strengthening the rule of law by increasing the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary and developing governance entities in southern Sudan. OTI has issued a grant to the British NGO Christian Aid to provide targeted assistance to the judiciary and critical civil society actors working to promote good governance.
- Rapid Targeted Support for Governance and Peace-building Efforts: Proposed OTI interventions in this area include providing technical assistance and capacity building to civil society groups and key sector governance bodies, and implementing community-identified priority projects that secure local peace agreements among citizens. OTI has contracted with the US-based NGO Pact to create a small grants mechanism to implement this program.
COUNTRY SITUATION
Peace talks have rounded a new corner, gaining momentum with the signing of the September security agreement between the GOS and SPLM. GOS and SPLM representatives and leaders have three areas for which they need to come to an agreement before the final peace can be signed and the agreed interim period can begin. These areas are power-sharing, wealth-sharing and the disposition of the transitional areas.
Peace talks remained in recess during much of November and the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan. Informal discussions with the negotiating parties, stakeholders and international advisors continued and progress is expected again soon after resumption of peace talks. While participants are skeptical that an agreement could be signed as soon as the target deadline of December 31, there is widespread optimism that progress in the talks will bring about an agreement early in 2004.
Sudanese rebel leader John Garang met with both Colin Powell and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan during November and has briefed both on the progress made so far in the talks. The UN and the US have re-stated their support for the peace process and speedy resolution.
In clear steps of reconciliation, the Sudan Vice-President Taha has signed a peace accord with a northern opposition leader while also inviting the southern Sudanese rebel leaders to come to Khartoum for discussion. The US continues to play a pivotal role in the process and is working with both sides to get a final agreement signed.
While all sides continue to work towards peace, instability reigns in the Darfur regions as experts warn of a pending severe humanitarian crisis in the area. Save the Children has stated that malnutrition rates in Darfur were reported to be "alarmingly high" with global acute malnutrition rates reaching 25 percent in some areas that remain inaccessible to aid workers. Further displacement or any outbreak of disease could seriously worsen an already a drastic situation.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Narrative Summary
OTI programs continue to move forward in all three OTI Sudan Strategic Objective areas. The position of OTI Sudan Deputy Country Director has been advertised and candidates will be interviewed and a final decision is expected to be made by the end of 2003.
The OTI Sudan Program Assistant, Kunny Wanyonyi, made her first trip to the field in November and spent time with implementing partner PACT in their new camp location in Kapoeta, Sudan. Kunny returned to Nairobi with new program ideas that are being considered by PACT staff both in Nairobi and in the field.
In late October/early November, USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios traveled to various parts of Sudan and also to Nairobi, Kenya. Natsios plays a dual role in the Sudan peace process as he is also the US. Special Humanitarian Envoy to Sudan. Traveling with him were Assistant Administrator for the Office of Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, Roger Winter and Sudan Task Force member Brian D'Silva. OTI-supported media initiatives, including the Sudan Mirror and the Sudan Radio Service, gave full and complete coverage to the October/November Natsios visit. The OTI Sudan Country Representative participated in the field visit, both in Sudan and in Nairobi and OTI programs were commended during discussions. Sudan Radio Service has also continued program new and informative information broadcasts for southern Sudan. November broadcasts included interviews with Sudanese diaspora, programs highlighting Sudanese musicians and discussions with Sudanese peace activists and religious/political leaders. SRS has also finalized the preparations for a three-week producer/journalist training program that will commence December 2 and include classroom and practical training. Renovations of the Sudan Radio Service office and studio continue and should be completed by early December.
Grant Program Activities
The OTI/PACT small grants program continues to expand, issuing grants at twice the rate of the previous month. By the end of November, the South Sudan Transition Initiatives small grant program had signed ten grants for a total of $323,828. Grants covering the full range of OTI-Sudan objective sectors have been issued to various groups, including local council associations, media groups, and civil society umbrella organizations. Grant recipients in November included: - Funj Youth Regional Conference
- Bahr el Ghazal Regional Women's Conference
- Civil Society sector Analysis and Mapping (Western Equatoria)
PACT continues to work with the SPLM leadership on assistance with organizing the All-South Conference which should take place early in 2004. A small grant of $35,000 to the steering committee allowed for the beginning of preparations for what will be the largest conference ever held in the south. PACT has participated in steering committee meetings and will provide guidance where necessary in logistics and conference planning. The conference is intended to provide a wide audience with the opportunity to participate in the peace process, the ratification of the legal code, and the creation of a civil authority structure as a foundation for the southerners to build up a government.
OTI/Washington, in consultation with PACT, has decided to request a modification to the original PACT agreement that will allow PACT to recruit more staff for both their Nairobi and their field offices. This has become necessary to alleviate the burden of travel and logistics.
NEXT STEPS/IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES
- OTI staff will finalize the recruitment process for the new PSC local hire to work as the OTI/Sudan Deputy Country Representative.
- EDC and OTI will continue working to finalize agreements with Government of Kenya that will facilitate work permits and tax free status to the radio station and its expatriate employees.
For further information, please contact:
In Washington, D.C: Bailey Hand, Sudan Program Manager, Tel: (202) 712-0795, bhand@usaid.gov
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