South Darfur Conflict Analysis and Peacebuilding Opportunities

The Concordis’ team and our network of 220 Community Peacebuilders continued to work for peace in South Darfur throughout the current war in Sudan. Whilst the world focused on the two lead protagonists, or ignored the war altogether, they have been transforming conflict where the war is felt most keenly.

These reports collate knowledge from consultation with 3,722 people from across South Darfur just before the war broke out, brought up to date through ongoing analysis alongside 220 peacebuilders from all facets the State’s diverse population.

Ongoing local peacebuilding work generated pragmatic agreements between different herder and farmer groups, and between different Arab and non-Arab groups, to ensure crops could be planted and protected to harvest, cattle could move peacefully in search of pasturage and water, and food could be bought and sold in markets across the state. 

And the outcome? In November and December 2024, as the war raged, hunger was used as a weapon of war and famine swept across Sudan, communities in South Darfur brought in a harvest of millet and sorghum at 70-90% of pre war levels. 

Food is available in South Darfur, and it’s affordable.

These reports explain how this is possible.

The first report explains the delicate, historic and multifaceted nuances of South Darfur’s conflict dynamics, which we need to understand to prevent the worst excesses of war, including genocide.

Click on the Image to read or download here.

The second report demonstrates practically how to build (or rebuild) economic interdependence between different herding and farming communities. It explains why these broke down and how they can be restored.

Click on the Image to read or download here.

The third report shows how resilient livelihoods can be developed and diversified, in turn building resilience to conflict and resilience to the effects of climate change.

Click on the Image to read or download here.