A civil society activist who doubles as the director of the Center for Sustainable Dialogue in El Geneina in West Darfur State has said that some communities in Darfur have suffered from conflicts and wars repeatedly and that to bring peace, everyone, especially leaders, must work to achieve social justice and share wealth and power.

Al-Zahawi Idris told Radio Tamazuj Tuesday that there is a complete absence of development and education in Darfur and that the central authority has deliberately excluded Darfuri communities from the political scene and fomented tribal conflicts whose motives are always political.

He contends that the emergence of armed movements is evidence of local awareness of the injustices that have occurred for years in the region.

According to Idris, the Center for Sustainable Dialogue is developing the capabilities of young men and women in West Darfur State and focusing on local communities in El Geneina that have been affected by the ongoing conflicts through dialogue and seminars on reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.

“For there to be lasting peace in West Darfur and the region, community dialogues must be carried out to build peace and development and work with agricultural communities, nomads and herders,” the activist stated.

Idris urged leaders to educate citizens about the importance of peace and to know their rights and their role in contributing to stopping the 15 April war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, which has hurt West Darfur State.

The Center for Sustainable Dialogue was established on 8 October 2021 and is a voluntary youth center that works on peacebuilding issues through community dialogues in the localities of El Geneina.