Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities between the Government of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) and the South Sudan National Liberation Movement/Army (SSNLM/A)

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Country/entity: South Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities between the Government of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) and the South Sudan National Liberation Movement/Army (SSNLM/A)
Date: 2 Apr 2016
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: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government
Peace process: South Sudan post-secession process
Parties: For the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, Hon. Tut Gatluak Manimi (Presidential Advisor) (Signed);
For the South Sudan National Liberation Movement (SSNLM), Commander Mbereke John Faustino (Leader) (Signed)
Third parties: For the Faith Based Mediation
Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, Bishop and Chairperson of Faith-based Council. (Signed)

Witness to this Agreement:
UNMISS Representative, South Sudan Headquarter (signature illegible).

Stakeholders:
Chief Wilson Peni Rikito, Paramount Chief, Representative of Traditional Authority. (signed)

Simple John Bakeaki, Youth Representative, Civil Society Organization

Christine Joseph Ngbaazande, Representative of Women Group-WES.
Description: Short agreement outlining ceasefire provisions between the Government of South Sudan and the South Sudan National Liberation Movement.

Agreement document: SS_160402_CoH between GRSS and SSNLM-A.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: Page 5, Stakeholders,
... Christine Joseph Ngbaazande, Representative of Women Group-WES.
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: No specific mention.
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: Page 3, 1. There shall be a Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team (CHMT) that shall report to the Team concerned and shall be composed of Nine (9) Members. (the team will compose a member of Interfaith, SSNLM, National Security, SPLA, Police, UNMISS and one of the civil societies) ...

Page 5, Stakeholders:
... Simple John Bakeaki, Youth Representative, Civil Society Organization ...
Traditional/religious leaders: Page 3, 1. There shall be a Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team (CHMT) that shall report to the Team concerned and shall be composed of Nine (9) Members. (the team will compose a member of Interfaith, SSNLM, National Security, SPLA, Police, UNMISS and one of the civil societies)
... c) Mediating third party (Interfaith mediating teaın)

Page 4-5, For the Faith Based Mediation
Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, Bishop and Chairperson of Faith-based Council. (Signed)
...

Stakeholders:
Chief Wilson Peni Rikito, Paramount Chief, Representative of Traditional Authority. (signed)
...
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

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: No specific mention.
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: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
Page 3, V. Hostile propaganda
The parties agree to refrain from all hostile propaganda or any hateful expression aimed at each other. They agree that no communication regarding this cessation of hostilities Agreement should be made to the public without mutual agreement and the agreement of the mediation team ofthis peace negotiation.
Mobility/access: Page 4, VII. Humanitarian Assistance
The parties shall continue to open corridors for humanitarian support to affected areas and communities in Gbudue and Maridi States.
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: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
Page 4, VII. Humanitarian Assistance
The parties shall continue to open corridors for humanitarian support to affected areas and communities in Gbudue and Maridi States.
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: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 3, NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree to a cessation ofhostilities as follows:
I. Affinnation ofcease fire and cessation of Hostilities
1. The parties agree to affirm the cease fire declaration
2. The parties agree to immediate cessation of hostilities and are committed to non-aggression between them. They shall refrain from any other action that may undermine the negotiations in Yambio.
Police: Page 3, 1. There shall be a Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team (CHMT) that shall report to the Team concerned and shall be composed of Nine (9) Members. (the team will compose a member of Interfaith, SSNLM, National Security, SPLA, Police, UNMISS and one of the civil societies)
Armed forces: Page 3, 1. There shall be a Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team (CHMT) that shall report to the Team concerned and shall be composed of Nine (9) Members. (the team will compose a member of Interfaith, SSNLM, National Security, SPLA, Police, UNMISS and one of the civil societies)
a) Joint military team composed of SPLA and SSNLM/A ...
DDR: Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
Page 3, III. Peace Zone
The parties agree that the territories under the assembling area of the SSNLM/A shall remain zone of peace.
IV. Assembling Area
The Parties agree that there shall be an Assembling Point to be identified by both parties.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 3, II. Neutrality
The SSNLM/A agrees to remain neutral in the ongoing conflict between the SPLA and
any other armed groups. In the cantonment area and after integration

Page 3, 1. There shall be a Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team (CHMT) that shall report to the Team concerned and shall be composed of Nine (9) Members. (the team will compose a member of Interfaith, SSNLM, National Security, SPLA, Police, UNMISS and one of the civil societies)
a) Joint military team composed of SPLA and SSNLM/A
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: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: Page 3, I. Affirmation of ceasefire and cessation of Hostilities
1. The parties agree to affirm the ceasefire declaration
... 3. As a gesture of good will and affirmation of this cessation of hostilities agreement the Parties agree to investigate and release any detainee alleged to be member of SSNLM/A or verse versa who are still in custody as soon as possible.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 2, ... Committed to finding durable solutions to the conflict through dialogue for peaceful end.
Convinced of the urgent ııeed for peace and reconciliation in the Gbudue and Maridi States and South Sudan at large;

Implementation

UN signatory: Page 5, Witness to this Agreement:
UNMISS Representative, South Sudan Headquarter (signature illegible).
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: Page 3, 1. There shall be a Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team (CHMT) that shall report to the Team concerned and shall be composed of Nine (9) Members. (the team will compose a member of Interfaith, SSNLM, National Security, SPLA, Police, UNMISS and one of the civil societies)
... b) UNMISS
Enforcement mechanism: Page 3-4, 1. There shall be a Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team (CHMT) that shall report to the Team concerned and shall be composed of Nine (9) Members. (the team will compose a member of Interfaith, SSNLM, National Security, SPLA, Police, UNMISS and one of the civil societies)
a) Joint military team composed of SPLA and SSNLM/A
b) UNMISS
c) Mediating third party (Interfaith mediating teaın)
2. The terms of reference far the team shall include, but not necessarily limited to:
a) Monitoring and implementation of this agreement
b) Investigation and verification of any allegation of violation
c) Providing early warning about matters that might undermine the implementation of this agreement and take appropriate measures to defuse them.
d) Reporting violations to the concemed authority
c) Amicable resolution of any disagreements arising out of the implementation and interpretation of this agreement.
f) Reporting violations and cases which could not be amicably resolved to the
concerned authority.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Copy on file with author.

AGREEMENT ON CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN (RSS) AND THE SOUTH SUDAN NATIONAL LIBERATION MOVEMENT/ARMY (SSNLM/A)

2ND APRIL, 2016

YAMBIO-THE FORMER WESTERN EQUATORIA STATE HQ

This Agreement (herein referred to as Agreement) signed BETWEEN the government of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) and the South Sudan National Liberation Movement/Army (SSNLM/ A), both parties hereinafter referred to as the parties witnessed that:

Whereas the RSS and the SSNLM/A are currently engaged in negotiations to find solutions to the crisis taking place in the Country generally and specifıcally in the former Western Equatoria State in general and the conflict between the parties in particular;

Determined to see to it that the states of Gbudue and Maridi and the Nation at large should not plunge into conflict again;

Committed to finding durable solutions to the conflict through dialogue for peaceful end.

Convinced of the urgent ııeed for peace and reconciliation in the Gbudue and Maridi Statesand South Sudan at large;

United to realize the vision of the Nation where communities live and coexist in peace and harmony;

Cognizant of the need to create conducive environment for the successful completion of the negotiations and implementation;

NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree to a cessation of hostilities as follows:

I. Affirmation of ceasefire and cessation of Hostilities

1. The parties agree to affirm the ceasefire declaration

2. The parties agree to immediate cessation of hostilities and are committed to non-aggression between them.

They shall refrain from any other action that may undermine the negotiations in Yambio.

3. As a gesture of goodwill and affirmation of this cessation of hostilities agreement the Parties agree to investigate and release any detainee alleged to be member of SSNLM/A or verse versa who are still in custody as soon as possible.

II. Neutrality

The SSNLM/A agrees to remain neutral in the ongoing conflict between the SPLA and any other armed groups.

In the cantonment area and after integration

III. Peace Zone

The parties agree that the territories under the assembling area of the SSNLM/A shall remain zone of peace.

IV. Assembling Area

The Parties agree that there shall be an Assembling Point to be identifıed by both parties.

V. Hostile propaganda

The parties agree to refrain from all hostile propaganda or any hateful expression aimed at each other.

They agree that no communication regarding this cessation of hostilities Agreement should be made to the public without mutual agreement and the agreement of the mediation team of this peace negotiation.

VI. Supervision/monitoring of the implementation

1. There shall be a Cessation of Hostilities Monitoring Team (CHMT) that shall report to the Team concerned and shall be composed of Nine (9) Members. (

the team will compose a member of Interfaith, SSNLM, National Security, SPLA, Police, UNIMISS and one of the civil societies)

a) Joint military team composed of SPLA and SSNLM/A

b) UNMISS

c) Mediating!

third party (Interfaith mediating teaın)

2. The terms of reference for the team shall include, but not necessarily limited to:

a) Monitoring and implementation of this agreement

b) Investigation and verification of any allegation of violation

c) Providing early warning about matters that might undermine the implementation of this agreement and take appropriate measures to defuse them.

d) Reporting violations to the concemed authority

c) Amicable resolution of any disagreements arising out of the implementation and interpretation of this agreement.

f) Reporting violations and cases which could not be amicably resolved to the concemed authority.

VII. Humanitarian Assistance

The parties shall continue to open corridors for humanitarian support to affected areas and communities in Gbudue and Maridi States.

VIII Commencement of the agreement

The agreement shall come into force on the date of signature of this agreement by the parties in witness of the above, the representatives of the government of South Sudan and the SSNLM/A have signed this agreement on the 2nd April, 2016 in Yambio, former Western Equatoria State HQ

Signatures of Parties, Chairperson of the Faith Base group, other Stakeholders, Civil Society Organization, and Witnesses to this Agreement.

1. THE PARTIES

Hon. Tut Gatluak Manimi

Presidential Advisor

For the Government

Republic of South Sudan (RSS)

2. FOR THE FAITH BASED MEDIATION

Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala

Bishop and Chairperson of Faith based Council

Commander Mbereke John Faustino

Leader

For South Sudan National

Liberation Movement (SSNLM)

3. WITNESSES TO THIS AGREEMENT

UNIMISS Representative

South Sudan

Headquarter

4. STAKEHOLDERS:

Chief Wilson Peni Rikito Paramount Chief

Represent ive of Traditional Authority

Simple John Bakeaki

Youth Representative

Civil Society Organization

Christine Joseph Ngbaazande

Representative of Women Group -WES