PEACE-MAKER

Since the bloody conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces began in Khartoum in the middle of April this year, nearly three million people have been displaced, including some 650,000 who have fled to neighboring countries. About 3,000 people have been killed. The United Nations said some 25 million people need humanitarian aid and protection. Sadly, the numerous ceasefires, some of which were brokered by the United States and Saudi Arabia, have failed to hold. Khartoum is the capital and second largest city of Sudan. It is said to be at the confluence of the White Nile, flowing north from Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake in terms of area, and the Blue Nile, flowing west from Ethiopia. The location where the two Niles meet is known as “al-Mogran,” meaning the confluence. The main Nile continues to flow north towards Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea. It was in Khartoum where the “confluence” of the political parties of Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean was scheduled to take place in April 2017. However, it did not push through because of security concerns. It was also in Khartoum where the Council of African Political Parties, composed of 58 political parties from 38 countries in Africa, was created and established its main headquarters in 2013. The meetings among the political party organizations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean – the International Conference of Asian Political Parties, Council of African Political Parties, and Association of Political Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean, respectively – have been held in Jakarta in November 2016; Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras, in November 2017; and in Moscow in October 2018. Institutionalizing these informal ties into a tri-continental alliance of political parties can at some point speak authoritatively for Africa, Asia, and Latin America in global councils on political and economic issues,especially on the battles against poverty, terrorism and extremism, climate change and environmental degradation, and the narcotics trade. Our three continents, by working together, can become the stabilizing element in the multilateral global balance of power. The center of global gravity is moving away from the Atlantic, where it has been for more than 150 years, because other power centers are rising in relative strength in Asia, in Latin America, and in Africa. Thus, there will be a great need for trans-national, trans-cultural groupings like this since the issues and challenges besetting the international community transcend regional and even hemispheric boundaries. Indeed, Sudan, a nation with turbulent history, has been embroiled in a protracted war that has inflicted immense suffering for its people. For many years, the country has experienced bloodshed driven by political struggles, ethnic tensions, and resource disputes. The war has caused massive devastation to the country, resulting in widespread displacement, loss of lives, and economic downturn. The war in Sudan requires a multifaceted approach involving both national and international actors. The international community has played a crucial role in brokering peace negotiations and supporting humanitarian efforts. Regional organizations, such as the African Union and the United Nations, have been actively engaged in peacekeeping operations and facilitating dialogues between conflicting parties. It is imperative for the international community to understand the complexities of the Sudanese conflict and work towards sustainable solutions that foster peace and stability.