National reconciliation: the lessons of the Rwandan experience to rebuild the Sudanese social fabric – something for the fatherland – ✍️ Mr. Salah is strange
Sudan is going through a difficult period that requires radical solutions to reconstruct the social fabric and establish the foundations of peace and stability. In the midst of these challenges, the importance of national reconciliation appears as a basic pillar of the complete reconstruction process, inspired by the lessons of the experiences of the countries which have managed to overcome their conflicts, in particular the Rwandan experience. Speaking of community reconciliation and peace in Sudan, emphasizing the Rwandan model, opens big horizons for a discussion on how to apply the principles of reconciliation to achieve social and economic recovery.
In 1994, Rwanda attended one of the most odious groups in modern history, because more than 800,000 people lost their lives in a short time. But what followed was not a continuation of chaos, but rather a fundamental change towards national reconciliation and reconstruction. This process was not easy, but required a strong political will, a broad societal participation and the application of unique transitional justice mechanisms, the most important of which were the traditional courts of Gakaka. These courts, which depend on the restorative justice and the participation of the community, allowed the victims and the authors to confront each other, to recognize the crimes, to apologize and to contribute to the healing process.
Rwandan experience has not been limited to the judicial side, but has also extended to include trusted construction programs, reintegrate veterans and strengthen common national identity in ethnic divisions. Rwandan leaders have realized that real peace can only be achieved by addressing the roots of the conflict, healing the surgeon and building a common future based on tolerance and coexistence. Today, Rwanda is a model of stability and growth on the African continent, which demonstrates the power of national reconciliation as a processing tool.
Sudan faces multiple challenges, effects of armed conflicts to social and political divisions. In this context, national reconciliation becomes not only an option, but rather an inevitable necessity to establish the pillars of sustainable peace. Reconciliation is not a process to forget the past or neglect crimes, but rather a process to deal with this past with responsibility, recognition of pain, identification of responsibility and justice mechanisms and pave the way in the future.
Sudan can be inspired by many lessons in Rwandan experience, taking into account its cultural, social and political life. For example, you may think:
Complete mechanisms of transitional justice: the truth and reconciliation committees include, which allows victims to tell their stories and document violations, in addition to the tangible mechanisms of justice which focuses on reparation and reintegration.
Strengthening community capacities: strengthening the role of local and civil leaders in facilitation of dialogue and reconciliation at the level of popular rules and by forming them on the mechanisms of conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Reform of the security sector: Ensure that the armed forces and the security services are responsible and rehabilitate them as a protector of citizens, not a source of fear.
Treat the roots of the conflict: take up the economic, social and political challenges that nourish conflicts, including the equitable distribution of resources, the agrarian reform and improve the political participation of all groups.
Promote national identity: work to build a complete Sudanese identity that transcends tribal, ethnic and regional affiliations, through education, culture and the media.
National reconciliation is not only a political or judicial process, but rather the pillar of social reconstruction in its deepest meanings. When societies reconcile, they regain confidence between their members, heal psychological wounds and strengthen social ties. This social reconstruction opens the way to economic reconstruction and sustainable development, where citizens can work together to build a better future.
Sudan has a historic opportunity to transform the path of violence and discord on the path of peace and recovery. This requires a strong political will, courageous to face the past and a commitment to build a common future based on justice, equality and tolerance. Rwandan experience is a witness that national reconciliation, despite its difficulty, is the best way to build a strong and coherent nation.
