The delicate practice of supporting grassroots peacebuilding in southern Sudan
Paul Murphy (2006)
Beyond a major political agreement, any enduring transformation of Sudan's conflict will entail difficult and lengthy processes of compromise and reconciliation. Grassroots peacebuilding efforts have been taking place in southern Sudan since church-led efforts to address worsening inter-communal conflict re-emerged in the 1990s. Paul Murphy describes how the Pact-led Sudan Peace Fund sought to support these people-to-people peace processes between 2002 and 2005. He explains the design of the programme and how it was adapted, and assesses its contribution to local stability, governance and the wider peace process. Looking at the challenges ahead, he calls for more institutionalized peacebuilding efforts, well integrated with emerging governance systems. This will require sensitive, informed and appropriate external support.