When it comes to ending a civil war as devastating as the one in Sudan, coordination between different stakeholders is essential. This is precisely the objective of the meeting which was held on Friday September 22 in New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Sudan’s neighboring countries, the African Union, IGAD and the mediating countries all came together to discuss and improve their mediation efforts.
The meeting was organized by France and Germany, who realized that too many mediation initiatives had a counterproductive effect. Indeed, the more mediation there is, the more the belligerents take advantage of it to pretend to want peace while continuing the war. It was therefore crucial to better coordinate these initiatives and to establish a meeting format that would allow this coordination to be maintained over the long term.
One of the main difficulties in the peace process in Sudan is the influence of different regional and international actors. Egypt, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Chad and other countries neighboring Sudan all have a strategic interest in resolving the conflict. Additionally, the African Union and IGAD also have a major role to play in mediating between the conflicting parties.
Mediating countries, such as the United States, Britain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, were also involved in this meeting. Their support and commitment are crucial to finding a peaceful solution to this protracted civil war.
The objective of this meeting in New York was therefore to create a coordination platform, where all the stakeholders concerned could share their initiatives and progress. This collective approach would make it possible to better evaluate current actions, avoid duplication and maximize the impact of mediation efforts.
This meeting was the first concrete step towards better international cooperation to end the civil war in Sudan. However, there is still much work to be done. It is essential that participating countries continue to meet regularly, exchange information and strengthen their commitment to peace in Sudan.
Resolving the civil war in Sudan is a complex challenge that requires a concerted approach. Thanks to more effective coordination between the different stakeholders, it is possible to hope for a peaceful outcome to this devastating conflict. The New York meeting was a step in the right direction, but now is the time to take action and translate these mediation efforts into a better future for the Sudanese people.