Reinventing the political role of health professionals in conflict prevention & reconciliation: the Sudanese model

• Published in: Medicine, conflict, and survival Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 153 - 164
• Main Authors: Salih, Alaaddin M., Ahmed, Jasim M., Mohamed, Jamal F., Alfaki, Musaab M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 02-04-2016; Taylor & Francis, Ltd
• Subjects: Armed Conflicts - history; Armed Conflicts - prevention & control; Conflicts; health professionals; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; Humans; international organizations; peace building; Physician's Role - history; political leaders; Politics; Sudan; health professionals; political leaders; peace building; Conflicts; international organizations
• ISSN: 1362-3699; 1743-9396
• DOI: 10.1080/13623699.2016.1239172

Given the persistent recurrence of armed conflict, influential actors owe it to the affected communities to take action. The legitimacy of health professionals to mitigate the effects of conflict relates to their ability to save lives and address the physical and mental consequences of armed conflict during which thousands of lives may be lost. Medical professionals have unique and potentially far-reaching skills. These become crucial during wartime and disasters in terms of providing medical services and humanitarian aid. However, they are insufficiently used in one area: involvement in politics as a tool to foster peace. Despite this, Sudanese individuals from medical backgrounds have participated actively in conflict resolution and peace-building processes. In fact, their political actions throughout the last six decades have aimed to prevent conflict at four different levels, which are described by Yusuf et al. in their article on the political involvement of health professionals in prevention. Their stand against President Nimeiri's Sharia laws was primordial prevention of religious conflict at the national level. Their leading role in the second Sudanese Intifada uprising was a key factor in saving the country from civil war, and another example of primary prevention. Sudanese physicians were also involved in secondary prevention by being influentially involved in almost all national peace agreements. Avoiding disputes at the tertiary level represents the weakest link in their repeated efforts. This paper outlines the different roles Sudanese medical personnel have taken in peacemaking. It also critically evaluates them in order to consider new methods of political involvement that suit future challenges.