Public International Law & Policy Group

How did Sudan’s promising journey toward democracy in 2019 devolve into a devastating, ongoing war? In a new episode of Lawyering Peace: Hot Takes, Professor Milena Sterio and I trace Sudan’s path from the revolution that ousted Omar al-Bashir to today’s violent conflict. Guided by host Heba B., we unpack the transitional government’s challenges, the 2021 military coup, and the violent power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This episode explores the promises of the Juba Peace Agreement, the challenges of civilian-military power-sharing, and international efforts to mediate peace. It also examines the lessons Sudan’s journey offers for global peacebuilding. 🎧 Listen now: https://lnkd.in/ekPYVZUA -Founder, Dr. Paul R. Williams 

Ambassador Stephen Rapp, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, and PILPG Senior Peace Fellow, speaking from the site of a mass grave in Syria, sheds light on the harrowing atrocities committed by the Assad regime and emphasizes the critical importance of uncovering the truth. From mass graves to systematic torture, his message is a powerful reminder of the need for justice, accountability, and preserving the memories of victims. We are so grateful that Ambassador Rapp and the Syrian Emergency Task Force remain steadfast in their tireless efforts to pursue justice and accountability in this critical work. Watch his compelling testimony and join the call for justice and accountability in Syria. #Justice #Accountability #HumanRights #Syria #GlobalCriminalJustice https://lnkd.in/edEKMkXV

In Part 2 of the conversation with Dr. Lilian Atanga and Henry Atem Oben on the Southern Cameroon conflict, we dive into the 2022 Canada Peace Talks, where the Ambazonia delegation—comprising leaders from various separatist groups—worked to build internal cohesion and present a united front. Their efforts, along with those of the Canadian facilitators, were met with an abrupt withdrawal by the Cameroonian government after three meetings, followed by its denial of ever participating in the talks. Dr. Atanga and Henry Atem break down how the Canada process was structured and highlight the critical role of inclusivity in peace negotiations. They also reflect on how the pattern of the government’s actions in peace processes over the years underscore its reluctance to engage in genuine negotiations to settle the conflict. Tune in for a powerful conversation on this pivotal moment in the Southern Cameroon conflict, the lessons learned, and what lies ahead for the path to peace. Apple: https://lnkd.in/esQ9zPYC Spotify: https://lnkd.in/efsu_A-V Youtube: https://lnkd.in/emF_weZx -Founder, Dr. Paul R. Williams

Watch PILPG Senior Peace Fellow and Executive Director of the Human Rights Center at UC Berkeley School of Law, Betsy Popken, speak with Syrian opposition negotiators on the future of Syria:

Syria stands at a critical juncture. A key priority during this transition is ensuring that all stakeholders, including minority groups, have meaningful representation in both interim and permanent governance structures. Too often, the exclusion of minority groups undermines the legitimacy of transitional processes and weakens post-conflict agreements. In 2011, during earlier peace efforts in Syria, PILPG drafted a policy planning paper at the request of Syrian civil society actors designed to examine how interim governing authorities addressed minority inclusion in transitional governance, drawing lessons from other post-conflict contexts. The insights remain relevant today as Syria navigates this pivotal period. We hope sharing this work can contribute to strategies for equitable and participatory governance in Syria’s future. Read the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/eFamPq7d -Founder, Dr. Paul R. Williams 

In a new Lawyering Justice blog post, Katie Hetherington, Sindija Bēta, and I explore the leading peace proposals to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, including Ukraine’s 10-point Peace Formula, China’s 12-Point Plan, the African Peace Mission’s Proposal, and Russia’s position. Ukraine’s Peace Formula stands out as a principled framework rooted in international law, emphasizing territorial integrity, accountability, and security guarantees—key ingredients for durable peace. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/emwHNjxP -Founder, Dr. Paul R. Williams

We are excited to announce that Elayne Whyte-Gomez is joining PILPG’s Circle of Former Ambassadors to the United Nations Human Rights Council, a network of several former Ambassadors to the Human Rights Council. Elayne Whyte-Gomez is a Professor of Practice at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). She is an experienced diplomat and academic with over 25 years of experience in policy-making, diplomacy, international cooperation, negotiation, and governance. As a career diplomat, Elayne Whyte-Gomez served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the UN in Geneva from 2014 to 2020. Between 1998 and 2010, she played a crucial role in shaping Costa Rica's foreign policy, in positions such as Policy Advisor and Chief of Staff of the Ministers. She served as Costa Rica's Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2000 to 2002, becoming the first woman and person of African descent appointed to this position. Elayne Whyte-Gomez has played a strategic role in various global negotiation processes aimed at addressing legal or cooperation gaps in the international system. For instance, in 2017, she presided over the UN Conference that negotiated the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and from 2015 to 2019, she co-chaired an academic-diplomatic research and negotiation process, in collaboration with Switzerland and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to propose improvements for the functioning of the Human Rights Treaty body system. From 2016- 2018, she led the negotiations for a global cooperation framework at the World Health Organization (WHO) to address the neglected problem of snakebite envenoming, aan effort between scientists and diplomats, adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2018. Additionally, between 2000 and 2002, she co-chaired the negotiations of the Convention on the Suppression of Illicit Maritime and Air Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in the Caribbean Area, which was signed in 2003. Welcome, Ambassador Elayne Whyte-Gomez! Founder, Dr. Paul R. Williams

Thank you to the 200 attendees of today's conversation on what is next for Sudan. Access the links below to watch the full webinar recording in Arabic or English. شكرًا لـ 200 مشارك في حوار اليوم حول مستقبل السودان. يمكنكم الوصول إلى الروابط أدناه لمشاهدة التسجيل الكامل للويبينار باللغة العربية أو الإنجليزية. Arabic/العربية: https://lnkd.in/d9AE3YeV English/الإنجليزية: https://lnkd.in/d_TBBvwR -Founder, Dr. Paul R. Williams

📢 Today! Don’t miss a vital discussion on Sudan’s future! Join us today, at 11:00 AM ET (6:00 PM Khartoum) for a one-hour PILPG webinar on the essential role Sudanese civilians play in building a peaceful, accountable future. The webinar will highlight key insights from PILPG’s Negotiations Briefing Book, with practical guidance for civilians engaged in peace efforts. 📖 Read the briefing book: https://lnkd.in/eS5GwpQq 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/eMyFiKbV -Founder, Dr. Paul R. Williams

 📢 لا تفوتوا نقاشًا مهمًا حول مستقبل السودان اليوم! انضموا إلينا اليوم في نقاش اسفيري الساعة ١١ صباحاً بالتوقیت الشرقي للولایات المتحدة، الساعة 6 مساء بتوقيت الخرطوم. مدى النقاش ساعة وستكون حول الدور الأساسي الذي یلعبه المدنیون السودانیون في مستقبل السودان في غضون ھذه الظروف. سيتم الاستناد في هذا النقاش إلى كتاب المفاوضات للقيادة المدنية السودانية، الذي أصدرته حديثًا مجموعة القانون الدولي والسياسات العامة والمتاح باللغتين الإنجليزية والعربية، ومع توفير الإرشادات العملية للمدنيين المشاركين في جهود السلام. 📖 اقرؤوا كتاب المفاوضات للقيادة المدنية السودانية هنا: https://lnkd.in/eS5GwpQq    🔗 وسجلوا للندوة الآن: https://lnkd.in/eMyFiKbV