Building Peace from Within: The Influence of Advisory Groups in South Darfur
Acho Gerald
Right in the middle of implementing Concordis’ programme in Sudan, war broke out. The displacements caused by the war affected the communities we work with, as well as our staff. We had to put off programme implementation for months as we tried to adapt our work to the challenges of the new reality.
Programme Manager Acho Gerald explains, “Once we were able to operate again, we began by forming and training an Advisory Group. I am happy to be able to share more about our experience with this amazing group of people.”
Forming the Advisory Group
We have seen the effectiveness of Concordis’ Advisory Groups in the Central African Republic. Local people, trusted by their communities, many already building peace where they live, volunteer to be part of a group with a dual role – to provide an early warning network when stresses are brewing, and then to mediate between groups or individuals to resolve conflicts before they escalate.
The Advisory Groups provide valuable insights into what is happening locally, to enable us to design bespoke programmes. Then they are part of the implementation of that plan, because they play a leading role in resolving conflicts within their communities.
Every group involved in the conflict must be represented in the Advisory Group. This requires Concordis staff to build and sustain relationships across the diversity of groups involved in each situation.
As such, the first step in South Darfur was the identification of suitable people. Within communities in conflict are individuals with vast local experience and expertise who are already in touch with those living where that conflict is fought and felt. By inviting them to join a peacebuilding advisory group, they become an informal early warning mechanism for volatile situations embedded within communities.
This worked in May 2023, where Advisory group members united representatives from 30 tribal groups across various localities (Al-Salam, Edd al-Fursan, Tulus, Gireida, Nyala, and Dimso) to forge a new social fabric. The members committed themselves to resolving serious crimes, including murder. This coalition successfully resolved conflicts without major escalation. A significant dispute between the Salamat and Bani Halba is in the process of being peacefully addressed.
Advisory Group training
Advisory Group members undergo training intended to enhance their ability to address conflicts arising. These are people already active in conflict resolution and they understand conflict dynamics; they have the influence to bring about the resolution of conflicts.
We build on existing structures, but we develop their mediation skills. A key example of this can be seen in the resolution of the Ereigat (Arab) tribe incident in Mershing Market. A violent attack on a guard by an unknown individual led to heightened tensions and a blockade by the Ereigat tribe. The prompt intervention of Advisory Group members Mobarak Ali and Saide Yagoud, who facilitated community dialogues and mediation, resulted in the reopening of the market, compensation for the guard, and the establishment of a community-led oversight committee to monitor market activities and prevent future incidents.
This resolution not only de-escalated the immediate crisis but also set a precedent for future conflict management, demonstrating the powerful role of locally trained mediators in leveraging existing structures.
Community-centred approach
In the delicate, inflammatory environment of Sudan, solutions must be properly crafted together with the communities, or an intervention carries conflict-sensitive risks.
What comes out of the training and then conversation with the Advisory Group is a solution that is highly responsive to the needs of the communities by co-creating all activities with them. For example, all peace conferences were directly requested by the communities experiencing conflict and tailored to the specific needs of that community.
For instance, a dispute over access to a water point between the Beni Mansour and Eteifat tribes was threatening to escalate into violence. However, thanks to the early warning and intervention of Advisory Group member Mohamed Ibrahim, who facilitated negotiations and established a joint management committee, the conflict was resolved. This community committee implemented a structured fee system for water use, ensuring equitable access and resource management, thereby preventing future disputes.
Impact and Potential of the Advisory Groups
The Advisory Group formation and training in South Darfur enable our peacebuilding interventions to be designed around the strengths of the individual members and their understanding of their own communities.
Advisory Group members act as sources of information for context analyses and as implementing partners. They have decision-making power in programming and strategies. This collaborative effort demonstrates to local people our commitment to them and to community-led approaches to peacebuilding.
For instance, in June 2023, Advisory Group member Ibrahim played a critical role during a volatile situation between two tribes Misseriya and Khuzam tribes. Upon learning of an imminent conflict, Ibrahim intervened by approaching the RSF commander and urging immediate action to prevent violence. His efforts, including facilitating oaths to avoid retaliation and negotiating blood money, were instrumental in de-escalating the situation and restoring peace.
Importance of Local Knowledge
We believe that local knowledge and experience are particularly important because the efficacy of programs depends on shared and collective analysis.
Local communities and local NGOs are often best placed to understand the complex relationships between humanitarian need, development patterns, and conflict dynamics, and how these connect to wider dynamics at the national and regional levels.
As such, we place more value on our local partners and communities' assessments of their context and their experiences in responding to local conflicts and needs. This process allows communities to reflect on the challenges affecting them and to reach out to Concordis for help when they need it.
The Advisory Groups bring an accountability and impetus for lasting resolutions and change into their own communities.
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