Challenges of Peacebuilding in the Global South: Taking Sudan as a Case Study

This paper examines the challenges faced in peacebuilding practices within the Global South, focusing specifically on Sudan, an East African state. Despite a long-standing peacebuilding history, the Global South's contributions to international peace and security often go unnoticed. Instead, these contributions are frequently overshadowed by numerous challenges. In particular, the post-independence era in Africa has been characterized by fragmented peace and security, primarily due to civil wars and internal conflicts. The study highlights that numerous regional and international actors have been involved in Sudan's peace agreements since the outbreak of the first major intra-state conflict in 1972. The study employed peacebuilding as its theoretical framework to analyze Sudan's situation. As a result, the paper identified that Sudan's fragile security situation, lack of inclusive peace talks, and external influences are the primary challenges to effective peacebuilding efforts. In addition, the paper emphasizes that the unstable political and security environment is a significant barrier to progress. Consequently, Sudan's peacebuilding initiatives are at risk, characterized by a highly fragmented, volatile, and unpredictable security landscape. The study concludes that addressing the challenges in Sudan's peacebuilding efforts requires a comprehensive and conflict-sensitive approach, which must be implemented urgently. Additionally, particular focus should be given to addressing the situation in Darfur, one of Sudan's most critical regions.