Sudan: ICG's report calls for reforms

The International Crisis Group just published a report on Sudan.

Sudan: Major Reform or More War

http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/horn-of-africa/sudan/194-sudan-major-reform-or-more-war.aspx

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The “Sudan Problem” has not gone away with the South’s secession. Chronic conflict, driven by concentration of power and resources in the centre, continues to plague the country. The solution is a more inclusive government that addresses at least some of the peripheries’ grievances, but pledges to transform governance remain unfulfilled. A key hurdle – though not the only one – is President Bashir, who has further concentrated authority in a small circle of trusted officials and is unwilling to step aside. Many hope for regime change via coup but have not considered the dangers. The goal should be managed transition to a government that includes, but is not dominated by his National Congress Party (NCP). He might be willing to go along if he concludes greater disorder or even a coup is growing more likely, but only if the right incentives are in place. The international community should contribute to these provided a credible and inclusive transitional government, a meaningful national dialogue on a new constitution and a roadmap for permanent change in how Sudan is governed are first put firmly in train.

RECOMMENDATIONS

To achieve an inclusive transitional government and initiation of meaningful and verifiable national dialogue

To the Government of Sudan:

1.  Bring the NCP, opposition forces and civil society together in an arrangement to manage government for a limited period with well-defined parameters (based on agreed principles reiterated in multiple agreements over decades) that is intended to lead first and foremost to a comprehensive ceasefire and humanitarian access to conflict areas, as well as to allow the political forces to come together to flesh out a roadmap for a durable peace process.

2.  Create a process that includes armed and unarmed political forces from all regions to:

a) debate and agree on a system of governance that can put an end to the conflicts between the “centre-Khartoum” and Darfur, Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile, East and North; and

b) draft a permanent constitution.

3.  Implement legal and judicial measures to end impunity, such as:

a) appointing non-partisan judges, including in the special courts;

b) ensuring the independence of courts and reviewing police investigation, arrest and prosecution procedures;

c) holding all government forces and associated militias accountable for their violations of international humanitarian law; and

d) amending the provisions in the police law, the criminal law and the criminal procedural law that give the police and security personnel immunity.

To the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) and Political Opposition Forces:

4.  Subordinate individual ambitions in order to develop and articulate detailed political platforms and visions that can form the framework for the transition process.

5.  Work to broaden the opposition’s support base and popular support for a transitional framework.

To assist in ending conflict and building sustainable peace and reform

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Read more here:

http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/africa/horn-of-africa/sudan/194-sudan-major-reform-or-more-war.aspx

The whole report:

http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/africa/horn-of-africa/sudan/194-sudan-major-reform-or-more-war.pdf