PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE CONFERENCE FOR THE PEOPLE OF
BLUE NILE STATE

Venue: Kurmuk, from 27th ،V 30th, June, 2005

The delegates to the Peaceful Co-existence Conference for the people of Blue Nile State met at the State Headquarters Kurmuk from 27th ،V 30th June, 2005. The delegates thoroughly discussed the items on the Agenda and resolved as follows:

RESOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

AGENDA ITEM 1: Resolution of the grievances, reconciliation and building of Peaceful co-existence and unity among the people of Blue Nile State.

The conference recognizes the fact that there have been socio-economic and ethnic problems resulting from unpopular government policies on the question of land use and land ownership, marginalization of the indigenous Funj people and the government encouragement of the new settlers in the region.

The conference therefore, recommends the following remedies:

a) Formation of mechanism to restore justice and resolve disputes.
b) Tolerance and respect for cultural, ethnic and religious diversities.
c) Support for the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).
d) To disseminate the culture of peace, tolerance and peaceful coexistence in the Blue Nile.
e) To strengthen social structure between tribes of the State.
f) To re-shape and re-write the history of Sudan.
g) Representation of Sons and daughters of the region in all levels of governance and administration should be based on qualifications.
h) To establish a conference for native administration before the end of the interim period.
i) Re-drawing the boundary of the State and to return the detached land to the State.

2. Building of popular support for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and its implementation

a. To install national unity in the souls of the State and to re-store their
Self - confidence.
b. Formation of mechanism to disseminate the CPA.
c. To direct media instruments to disseminate the CPA in different local languages.
d. To mobilize people of the State to support the CPA in order to build the New Sudan.

3. Issues of Democracy and Good Governance:
„X Democracy:
a. The implementation of true democracy in which various types of
Freedoms must be practiced.
b. Fighting against corruption in different forms.
c. Strict transparency and accountability.
e. Elections on different regional and national levels should be observed internationally.
Respect for Fundamental Human Rights:
a. Basic human rights mentioned at the Geneva Agreement and
all international conventions and agreements should be respected.
b. To punish those who may breach these texts, as mentioned in the agreement.
c. To include principles of the agreement in the constitution of the State.
d. To guarantee basic rights (the right of expression, thought, movement, inhabit, ownership, organization, right of child, right of women and right of believes).
„X Equitable provision of Socio-services:
Education
a. Free and complementary education.
b. To re-articulate the present curriculum to be in line with those
of advanced countries.
c. Adoption of English language, local Languages and computer science as basic subjects to be taught at the first year.
d. To bring qualified teachers from outside the country.
e. To concentrate on Technical and Vocational Education.
f. Establishment of integral and comprehensive University based on the international standards.
g. To put greater care upon different educational institutions and to spread it all over the State.
h. To train and qualify teachers.
i. Establishment of schools for eradication of illiteracy.
j. Establishment of workshops to produce equipments and materials for schools.
k. Establishment of centers for social developments (farming, Gardening, business and house keeping).
l. To introduce boarding schools in the Region.
m. To seek chances for higher education for graduates of the region.
n. To re-activate educational activities.
o. To link educational policies with the development programs in the region.
p. To re-write the history of Funj and teach it in schools.
Health
a. To train qualified Health Care personnel.
b. To establish and renovate hospitals and Health Clinics according
to international standards.
c. To pass policies for free access to treatment.
e. To provide Hospitals and Health Centers with ambulances and general means of transport.
f. To establish vaccination centers for children, mothers and build culture of good health.
g. To take proper care of the environment and make legislative laws for environmental protection.
h. To establish mobile Health Clinics in the State.
i. To establish veterinary Clinics and Centers.
j. To establish Centers for epidemics and catastrophe prevention.
k. To take good care of the needy persons in particular the (Martyrs widows, the disabled, the orphans and the old people).
Water
a. Provision of sources for drinking water (wells, dams, reservoirs
and excavations).
b. Establishment of purification stations and to renovate the water
network and to connect water pipes to different parts of the region.
c. To utilize water from the damp, dig watercourse and canals for
the animals.

Roads and Communications
a. To link different parts of the State with roads.
b. Construction of bridges.
c. Establishment of communication system in the State.
d. Extension of railway network in the State.
e. Building of modern airports.
Electricity
a. Link the State with electric network.
b. To start using the alternative renewable source of energy.

„X The Rule of Law
a. The rule of Law must prevail and must be respected.
b. The Independence of Judiciary must be granted by the government.
c. Good practice of laws without corruption.
d. Making laws that will regulate administration works.

„X Interrelations between all levels of the State Administration and Institutions

a. To determine jurisdiction and duty for every administrative level.
b. Participation of everybody in decision making (democracy).

4. Issues of Gender equality

a. Recognition of women rights and to participate in different sectors of life.
b. Women should be represented by 25% in government and administration institutions.
c. The application of the principle of Affirmative Action regarding women in different sectors and they should be given equal chances.
d. To provide for girls education which is environmental friendly.
e. The right of women to participate in decision making

5. Peace, stability and Security in Blue Nile State (control of firearms / armed individual)

a. Establishment of mechanism to collect arms.
b. To train police for the security and protection of the population
c. Make strict laws against carrying unlicensed arms.
d. Establishment of committees for conflicts resolutions that may occur between individuals or tribes.
e. De-mining.

6. Issues of Land development in relation to Investment Laws and Banking System

a. Cancellation of previous laws related to land.
b. Establishment of banks in the State specialized in financing development projects.
c. To make laws for regulating investments in the State.
d. To prevent the usage of harmful fertilizers and insecticides.
e. Positive and proper usage of the soil.
f. Issuing laws to protect the environment.
g. Representation of locality / Councils in the Commission of Land.
h. To restore the old corridors for the Pastoralists and abolish the
Present corridors referred to as Kilos.
i. To establish resorts and hotels for Tourism.
j. To encourage fish production and processing.
k. Establishment of factories for agricultural and animal production
At the site.
l. Establishment of markets and Exhibitions with international standards,
To market the products.
m. To determine the ratio of the region from revenue of national
Projects in the region.
n. To plan and survey towns and villages in the region

7. The role of the UNHCR and the International NGOs in Repatriation, Resettlement and Rehabilitation of IDPs / Refugees
a. To establish reception centers equipped with basic needs and medical services.
b. Provision of basic services at the settlements and habitation site.
c. Provision of building materials.
d. Establishment of local commission to co-ordinate between the UNHCR and NGOs in relation to rehabilitation.
e. To train personnel who may participate in the humanitarian works and to help the refugees and displaced.
f. To resolve the disputes that could arise between the owners of the land and the present inhabitants.
g. Establishment of development projects that generate fast revenues that may help returnees.

8. Resolution of the Conference Mechanisms of implementation and follow-up:-

a. Establishment of a committee to follow up the implementation of these resolutions and recommendations of this Conference by the civil society, Government Institutions and the Legislative Councils.
b. To determine timetable for follow-up of these recommendations.

THEME: Tolerance is the Bases for Unity and Development.