International Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Strategies : The Complexities of War and Peace in the Sudans

The analysis and interpretation of conflicts can be a dangerously simplistic exercise. A western, developed socio-economic perspective can simplify conflicts in the so-called ‘Third World’ as the inevitable struggles of people who cannot coexist because of ethnic, religious or cultural differences. While acknowledging that many contemporary conflicts are characterised and influenced by these factors, this book calls for an approach to conflict prevention and resolution which mainly addresses the underlying political, economic and social causes. The conflict in Sudan, where narratives evolved from an interpretation based on religious differences between a Muslim North and the Christian South, provides a case study through which the author explores how most prevention and resolution strategies were based on flawed assumptions leading to poor results. By focusing instead on the underlying socio-economic inequality and marginalisation among groups she analyses the dynamics of the complex peace process to ascertain if and how economic and social rights were effectively included and implemented as a part of the peace agreement, including after South Sudan’s independence.

Daniela Nascimento is an assistant professor of International Relations at the University of Coimbra (Portugal) and a researcher at the Center for Social Studies. She holds a PhD in International Politics and Conflict Resolution from the University of Coimbra, a bachelor degree in International Relations from the same University and a European Master's Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation from the Inter-European Center for Human Rights and Democratisation. Her research interests focus on peace studies, human rights, peacebuilding, humanitarian action, especially in the African context and Timor Leste. She has published various chapters and peer-reviewed articles in national and international journals and books, as well as participation in various research projects with national and international funding.