Two imminent political events could undermine the unity of the country and worsen the crisis: national elections in 2009 and the referendum on self-determination of the South in 2011. If Sudan's situation further deteriorates, peace throughout the region (from the Horn of Africa as far as Nigeria to the west), will be at risk.
The scale of humanitarian crisis will be beyond the capacity of the international community to manage. Any solution must begin with a resolution of the conflict in Darfur.
Darfur has evoked sympathy and compassion, despair and outrage. It is now time for Darfur to evoke a common commitment to a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.
The present initiative specifically aims at helping Darfurian civil society to become an active player in the peace process. In order to achieve this it must emerge, unite and act as a coherent front. This initiative therefore intends to bring together civil society representatives of every community in the region, in order to build a mandate for peace. This mandate must be a constructive vision, shaping the future of Darfur around principles of peace, security, justice and – above all – development. It must articulate what needs to be done, rather than what wants to be undone.
This initiative does not intend to open parallel tracks of negotiations. On the contrary it is aimed at being used as a cornerstone of the ongoing peace negotiations, having derived its legitimacy from the fully inclusive and transparent process behind it. Any parties claiming to represent the Darfurian people will see their legitimacy reinforced by adhering to the principles of the mandate.
This initiative is also a direct response to the United Nations Security Council resolution 1828 (2008), adopted on 31 July 2008 which “underlines...the need for the engagement of civil society, including women and women-led organisations, community groups and tribal leaders.”
This initiative is being facilitated by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation (MIF), an African foundation committed to good political governance in Africa. MIF has liaised with all known Darfurian civil society initiatives undertaken to date, building on their experience and knowledge.
These combined efforts have led to the conviction that this essential civil society mandate must first be produced in a process owned, managed and facilitated by civil society actors.
The mandate can then be handed over to their partner stakeholders in the peace process for realisation.
This is a Darfurian initiative. MIF's role is only to facilitate the process and to ensure that it follows best practices. The mandate will only have authority, legitimacy and impact if it satisfies three conditions. Firstly, that it truly represents the voice of the Darfurian people. Secondly, that the process behind it is inclusive, transparent and fair. Thirdly, that it is managed in a way that meets the governance requirements of all the international institutions, governments, civil society organisations and public figures who are stakeholders of the ongoing peace process.
