As Nuba Vison goes to press we learn of disturbing developments regarding the suspension of Operation Lifeline Sudan Southern Sector in the wake of a government flight ban in South Sudan.
In recent months Sudanese people have been jubilant and full of hope following the signing of the cease-fire agreement for the Nuba Mountains at Burgenstock in Switzerland last January. This accord came as a result of concerted efforts by the US, UK and Swiss Governments. The Nuba Mountains was chosen to be a "test case" for peace building between the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). The Nuba considered this as golden opportunity and a good step towards ending the war.
Sudan-a gigantic country with natural wealth of land, minerals and oil and a diverse wealth of ethnic peoples, has known war for the last quarter century. It is a jewel of Africa with potential to enrich the whole of Africa, if only there was place. At long last a major drive towards peace is underway, with America, Britain, Norway and other countries deeply involved. Peace will come; it must come!
Amid the current political developments prompted by the relentless efforts by the world’s superpower to stop the war in Sudan at any cost, the Nubas’ future seems to have entered another phase of uncertainty. There is no doubt that Nuba communities in every part of the world rejoiced at the cease-fire reached recently. The suspension of hostilities allowed humanitarian aid to reach much of the region for the first time since war erupted there over a decade ago.
Between 17-20th July 2002 The office of UN Resident/Humanitarian Co-ordinator (UNRC/HC) organized the first Nuba Mountains Programme Advancing Conflict Transformation (NMPACT) in Um-Sirdiba at the Headquarter of Joint Military Commission (JMC) and Joint Monitoring Mission (JMM) in Nuba Mountains. This Partners’ Forum Meeting was attended by 59 representatives from Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Association (SRRA), UN Agencies, International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs), National Non-Governmental Organisations (five of which are within Nuba Net Umbrella), three donor representatives and Joint Monitoring Mission/Joint Military Commission who supported the organisation of the meeting.