Silencing the Guns: Interviews with Youth and Peace Leaders in Darfur
As a part of Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020, Nonviolent Peaceforce has partnered with the United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) to train African youth and peace leaders in Darfur on unarmed civilian protection through an online course.
From June to July 2020, more than 40 Darfuris from all 5 Darfur states were trained on how to use nonviolence and work towards a peaceful future in their communities.
"In my community, we are using the method of nonviolence and we have launched an initiative on peaceful coexistence by spreading a culture of nonviolence in society by involving young people themselves from the various conflicting groups. ... I think that the war for long years has weakened the shoulders of Darfurian citizens. We are looking for a way to find peace and stability, so we are now suitable partnersin the process of silencing the guns."
Course graduate, Rehab Abdullah Musa Saleh from El Daein (East Darfur)
Below, you find eight interviews of course graduates who give their insights on how the eight-week course has changed their perspective on how to deal with conflict and how to prevent or mitigate violence.
The course graduates learned how to protect civilians using nonviolent methods, such as deep community engagement, protective presence and accompaniment, multi-track dialogue, ceasefire monitoring, and how to support to local peace groups in order to protect their communities, prevent violence, and move toward a safer, more peaceful future for their communities.
Read the interviews below: