Shades of Peace: Sudan in Crisis

PeaceBridge Africa Alliance (PBAA), in collaboration with Massachusetts Peace Action (MAPA), presents the Shades of Peace Series, a new dialogue and educational initiative dedicated to creating space for informed conversations about conflicts across Africa, amplifying African youth voices, and exploring pathways toward peace.

The series will begin with Shades of Peace: Sudan in Crisis, an engaging community dialogue examining the roots, realities, and human impact of Sudan’s ongoing conflict. The event will explore the historical origins of the crisis, the major parties involved, major atrocities and humanitarian consequences, the current state of the conflict, and the role of the United States and other international actors. Together, we will move beyond the headlines to better understand the history, people, and political dynamics behind one of Africa’s most devastating conflicts.

Yasser Essa is Restorative Justice & Community Engagement Advisor and Program Manager with the North Shore Restorative Justice Society.   Yasser brings expertise in restorative justice, dialogue facilitation, and community conflict resolution. His work focuses on creating spaces where communities can engage in meaningful conversations, repair harm, strengthen relationships, and build more inclusive and resilient societies through restorative practices.

This first event will also mark the official launch of PeaceBridge Africa Alliance as an initiative, introducing its mission, vision, and emerging projects and programs aimed at empowering African youth to better understand conflicts, raise awareness, engage in meaningful dialogue, and contribute to locally informed solutions. The program will conclude by exploring pathways toward peace and how individuals and communities can help advance them, including ways U.S. citizens, Sudanese communities, youth, and others who care about peace can engage policymakers and advocate for civilian protection, humanitarian access, accountability, and a peaceful resolution. Participants will also receive a preview of the next Shades of Peace event, including its country or regional focus and date. Join us to learn, engage, connect, and become part of a growing community committed to turning awareness into action and building a more peaceful future for Africa.