Juba Declaration on Unity and Integration between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the South Sudan Defence Forces (SSDF)

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Country/entity: South Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Juba Declaration on Unity and Integration between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the South Sudan Defence Forces (SSDF)
Date: 8 Jan 2006
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Sudan Conflicts (1955 - )
Agreements relate to several distinct dyads, and also the negotiated independence of South Sudan, and subsequent internal conflict in South Sudan. Sudan-South Sudan. The long-standing conflict between the north and the south of the country dates back to colonial times, where the British introduced a so-called ‘Southern Policy’, severely hampering population movements between these big regions. Immediately after gaining independence in 1956, southern movements started to fight for independence; this fight became professionalised in 1983 with the foundation of the soon internationally supported Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). When the Islamic Front government introduced strict sharia laws in the south after it took over power in 1988 the war intensified. A decade later, the military situation reached a stalemate, enabling internationally facilitated peace negotiations to begin in 1997. After more fighting, a final negotiation push began in 2002, leading to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Areement (CPA) in January 2005.

Sudan-South Sudan post referendum. South Sudan became independent in July 2011; since then, relations between the two countries are complicated and violent conflict led by the SPLM (North) in the Sudanese Nuba mountains region has since intensified.

Darfur. Other long-standing violent conflicts are in the east and the west of the country. In the east, the Beja Congress, established in 1957, is the spearhead of a currently ‘peaceful’ opposition movement. In the west, the violent conflict in Darfur intensified in the early 2000s and rapidly gained international attention, even resulting in genocide charges against leading figures of the Sudanese government. The situation on the ground is complex, with over a dozen organisations (most notably the Sudanese Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement) fighting the Sudanese government and allied groups like the Janjaweed – although all parties have switched sides on numerous occasions. Several mediation attempts have not been successful, due to the shaky commitment of the Sudanese central government and the distrust among the armed opposition.

South Sudan - internal
In December 2013, after president Salva Kiir accused opposition leader Riek Machar of attempting a coup, violent conflict broke out between government forces of the SPLM/A and anti-governmental groups. In addition, several other political militias as well as communal militias have joined the conflict. In 2015 the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) was signed. Due to unsuccessful implementation the agreement was revitalized in 2018. In September 2019, Kiir and Machar agreed to establish a power-sharing government after struggles on forming a unity transitional government.
Stage: Implementation/renegotiation
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: South Sudan post-secession process
Parties: Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the South Sudan Defence Forces (SSDF)
Third parties: -
Description: Short agreement aiming at merging the conflicting factions/power structures in the SPLM/A.

Agreement document: SS_060108_JubaDeclarationOnUnityAndIntegration.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: Page 1, Preamble, Acknowledging that the people of Southern Sudan have one indivisible destiny;
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: Page 1, Preamble, Cognizant of the fact that the SPLM led Government has already included members of the SSDF in the institutions of Government of National Unity, the Government of Southern Sudan and the Governments of the States to ensure SSDF participation;

Page 2, 3. Administrative and Civil Service Committee
This committee shall deal with the integration of non military personnel of SSDF into the Civil Service of the Government of Southern Sudan and the Governments of the States.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: Power sharing→Political power sharing→General
State level
Page 1, Preamble, Cognizant of the fact that the SPLM led Government has already included members of the SSDF in the institutions of Government of National Unity, the Government of Southern Sudan and the Governments of the States to ensure SSDF participation;
Power sharing→Political power sharing→Other proportionality
State level
Page 2, 3. Administrative and Civil Service Committee
This committee shall deal with the integration of non military personnel of SSDF into the Civil Service of the Government of Southern Sudan and the Governments of the States.

Page 2, IMPLEMENTATION
In implementation of this declaration the two parties agree to form the following committees:
1. High Political Committee
There shall be a High Political Committee to oversee the overall implementation of this unity agreement. It shall be established by the Chairman of the SPLM and C- in - C of SPLA in consultation with Major-General Paulino Matip Nhial, Chief of Staff of the SSDF.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: Power sharing→Military power sharing→Merger of forces
Page 1, Section 1, Do hereby make the following Declaration to be known as the Juba Declaration on Unity and
Integration:
- Agree to immediately integrate their two forces to form one unified, non partisan Army under the name of SPLA as stipulated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
Power sharing→Military power sharing→Joint command structures
Page 1, Section 1, Do hereby make the following Declaration to be known as the Juba Declaration on Unity and
Integration:
- Complete and unconditional unity between the SPLA and SSDF

Page 2, 2. Military Technical Committee
There shall be established a Military Technical Committee consisting of equal numbers to implement the terms of this declaration. It shall be established by the Chairman of the SPLM and C- in - C of SPLA in consultation with Major General Paulino Matip Nhial, Chief of Staff of the SSDF. The Joint Military Technical Committee shall report to the High Political Committee and handle inter alia the following issues:
- Harmonisation of ranks and deployment of forces and to report to the principals.
- Handle issues of demobilisation and downsizing of forces in accordance with the provisions of the CPA.
- Report to the High Political Committee on all matters relating to this Unity Declaration.
- Integration of SSDF into the SPLA and its command structures and all its component units including the Joint Integration Units.
Power sharing→Military power sharing→Proportionality
Page 2, 2. Military Technical Committee
There shall be established a Military Technical Committee consisting of equal numbers to implement the terms of this declaration. It shall be established by the Chairman of the SPLM and C- in - C of SPLA in consultation with Major General Paulino Matip Nhial, Chief of Staff of the SSDF. The Joint Military Technical Committee shall report to the High Political Committee and handle inter alia the following issues:
- Harmonisation of ranks and deployment of forces and to report to the principals.
- Handle issues of demobilisation and downsizing of forces in accordance with the provisions of the CPA.
- Report to the High Political Committee on all matters relating to this Unity Declaration.
- Integration of SSDF into the SPLA and its command structures and all its component units including the Joint Integration Units.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: Human rights and equality→Civil and political rights→Freedom of movement
Page 1, Section 1, Do hereby make the following Declaration to be known as the Juba Declaration on Unity and Integration:
- Guarantee freedom of movement of people, goods and services in all areas in Southern Sudan
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: Page 1, Preamble, Determined to end all forms of conflict and hostilities among themselves, so as to usher a new era of hope, stability and sustainable development in Southern Sudan;

Page 2, Call on the National Congress Party and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF)
The decision by the SSDF to be integrated into the SPLA is a legitimate decision which will consolidate peace and security in Southern Sudan and the Sudan at large. The two parties signatory to the agreement call on all other Sudanese political forces to support this declaration
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 1, Section 1, Do hereby make the following Declaration to be known as the Juba Declaration on Unity and Integration:
- Immediate and total cessation of all forms of hostilities and to ensure that all their forces and persons under their control observe and comply with this declaration.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→DDR programmes
Page 2, 2. Military Technical Committee
There shall be established a Military Technical Committee consisting of equal numbers to implement the terms of this declaration. It shall be established by the Chairman of the SPLM and C- in - C of SPLA in consultation with Major General Paulino Matip Nhial, Chief of Staff of the SSDF. The Joint Military Technical Committee shall report to the High Political Committee and handle inter alia the following issues:
- Handle issues of demobilisation and downsizing of forces in accordance with the provisions of the CPA.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: Page 1, Preamble, Further determined to build trust and confidence among themselves and to avoid past mistakes that have led to divisions and internecine conflict between themselves and among the people of Southern Sudan in general;
...
Amnesty/pardon: Transitional justice→Amnesty/pardon→Amnesty/pardon proper
Page 1, Section 1, Do hereby make the following Declaration to be known as the Juba Declaration on Unity and Integration:
- Declaration of general amnesty covering any criminal acts committed during the past period of hostilities between the two forces.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: Page 1, Preamble,
[...]
Remembering our fallen heroes, heroines and martyrs who paid the ultimate price for the freedom of our people and to ensure that these sacrifices are not in vain
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 1, Preamble, Motivated by their desire for peace, reconciliation and unity among the people of Southern Sudan;

Page 2, Section 1, Do hereby make the following Declaration to be known as the Juba Declaration on Unity and Integration:Appeal to any armed persons or groups outside the two forces to join the process of unity and reconciliation in order to promote peace, stability and development throughout
Southern Sudan.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: Mr. Aaron R. Tuikong, S. S. Executive Chief, Moi Africa Institute (MAIN)
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: http://fletcher.tufts.edu/~/media/Fletcher/Microsites/World%20Peace%20Foundation/SD_060108_JubaDeclarationOnUnityAndIntegration.pdf

Juba Declaration on Unity and Integration between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) And the South Sudan Defence Forces (SSDF)

8 January 2006

PREAMBLE

The SPLA and SSDF having met in Juba between the 6th and 8th January, 2006 and fully aware of the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) regarding the status of the Other Armed Groups (OAG’s).

 Committed to upholding and defending the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and its full implementation;

 Motivated by their desire for peace, reconciliation and unity among the people of Southern Sudan;

 Determined to end all forms of conflict and hostilities among themselves, so as to usher a new era of hope, stability and sustainable development in Southern Sudan;

 Further determined to build trust and confidence among themselves and to avoid past mistakes that have led to divisions and internecine conflict between themselves and among the people of Southern Sudan in general;

 Cognizant of the fact that the SPLM led Government has already included members of the SSDF in the institutions of Government of National Unity, the Government of Southern Sudan and the Governments of the States to ensure SSDF participation;

 Acknowledging that the people of Southern Sudan have one indivisible destiny;

 Inspired by the struggle and the immense sacrifices and suffering of our people in

defence of their land, freedom, dignity, culture identity and common history;

and

 Remembering our fallen heroes, heroines and martyrs who paid the ultimate price for the

freedom of our people and to ensure that these sacrifices are not in vain;

Do hereby make the following Declaration to be known as the Juba Declaration on Unity and Integration:

 Complete and unconditional unity between the SPLA and SSDF.

 Agree to immediately integrate their two forces to form one unified, non partisan Army

under the name of SPLA as stipulated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

 Immediate and total cessation of all forms of hostilities and to ensure that all their forces and persons under their control observe and comply with this declaration.

 Guarantee freedom of movement of people, goods and services in all areas in Southern Sudan.

 Declaration of general amnesty covering any criminal acts committed during the past period of hostilities between the two forces.

 Appeal to any armed persons or groups outside the two forces to join the process of unity and reconciliation in order to promote peace, stability and development throughout Southern Sudan.

 The unified Movement shall mobilize the people of Southern Sudan behind this agreement and to support its implementation.

IMPLEMENTATION

In implementation of this declaration the two parties agree to form the following committees:

1. High Political Committee

There shall be a High Political Committee to oversee the overall implementation of this unity

agreement.

It shall be established by the Chairman of the SPLM and C- in - C of SPLA in consultation with Major- General Paulino Matip Nhial, Chief of Staff of the SSDF.

2. Military Technical Committee

There shall be established a Military Technical Committee consisting of equal numbers to implement the terms of this declaration.

It shall be established by the Chairman of the SPLM and C- in - C of SPLA in consultation with Major General Paulino Matip Nhial, Chief of Staff of the SSDF.

The Joint Military Technical Committee shall report to the High Political Committee and handle inter alia the following issues:

 Integration of SSDF into the SPLA and its command structures and all its component units including the Joint Integration Units.

 Harmonisation of ranks and deployment of forces and to report to the principals.

 Handle issues of demobilisation and downsizing of forces in accordance with the

provisions of the CPA.

 Report to the High Political Committee on all matters relating to this Unity Declaration.

3. Administrative and Civil Service Committee

This committee shall deal with the integration of non military personnel of SSDF into the Civil Service of the Government of Southern Sudan and the Governments of the States.

Call on the National Congress Party and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF)

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) calls upon its partner the National Congress Party (NCP) and the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) to support this agreement which has been guided by the provision of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement regarding the status of the Other Armed Groups (OAG’s).

The decision by the SSDF to be integrated into the SPLA is a legitimate decision which will consolidate peace and security in Southern Sudan and the Sudan at large.

The two parties signatory to the agreement call on all other Sudanese political forces to support this declaration.

Appeal to the International Community

The two parties also appeal to the international community to support this agreement as it will consolidate peace in the Sudan and bring about lasting peace among the people of Southern Sudan.

 H.E Lt.

General Salva Kiir Mayardit, 1st Vice President of the Republic of Sudan, Chief of Staff of Southern Sudan, Chairman of the SPLM and Commander- in-Chief of SPLA.

 Major General Paulino Matip Nhial President of the Government of South Sudan Defence Force (SSDF)

Witnessed by

 Mr. Aaron R. Tuikong S.S. Chief Executive, Moi Africa Institute (MAIN)