Liliir Covenant between the Anyuak, Dinka, Jie, Kachipo, Murle and Nuer who attended the East Bank People-to-People Peace and Reconciliation Conference in Liliir, Bor County, Upper Nile, Sudan

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Country/entity: South Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Liliir Covenant between the Anyuak, Dinka, Jie, Kachipo, Murle and Nuer who attended the East Bank People-to-People Peace and Reconciliation Conference in Liliir, Bor County, Upper Nile, Sudan
Date: 15 May 2000
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/local 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: Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: South Sudan: Pre-secession Local Peace Processes
Parties: A gathering of traditional and civil leaders was convened in Liliir (Bor, county), to reconcile the differences and conflicts between the Anyuak, Dinka (Bor & Padang), Jie, Kachipo, Murle (Boma) and Nuer (Gawaar & Lou)
Third parties: Under the facilitation of the NSCC
Description: Traditional and civil leaders met in Liliir (Bor, county), to reconcile the differences and conflicts between the Anyuak, Dinka (Bor & Padang), Jie, Kachipo, Murle (Boma) and Nuer (Gawaar & Lou). Agreement calls an amnesty, return of abductees, freedom of movement, that cross border arrangements are adhered to, good governance, human rights, respect for police, and the return of displaced peoples. Agreement mentions an appendix that was not attached.

Agreement document: SS_000515_LILIIR COVENANT.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: Groups→Children/youth→Rhetorical
Page 1, We have unanimously agreed that:
... - all abducted women and children are freely returned to their places of origin, and where necessary, marriage customs are fulfilled;
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
Summary: agreements in their entirety deal with inter group ethnic relationships between the following groups; Anyuak, Dinka (Bor & Padang), Jie, Kachipo, Murle (Boma) and Nuer (Gawaar & Lou).

Page 1, untitled preamble, ... The spirit of the conference was reflected at the opening by the ceremonial sacrifice of a 'White Bull', and concluded with the declaration of a joint covenant between the represented ethnic groups.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Rhetorical
Page 2, We have unanimously agreed that:
... - we will advocate on behalf of our sisters and brothers who have been scattered and displaced, especially those from the Bor area, for their return to their homeland with the encouragement and co-operation of their communities, leaders and civil authorities of origin.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: Page 1, We have unanimously agreed that:
... - all abducted women and children are freely returned to their places of origin, and where necessary, marriage customs are fulfilled;
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 2, We have unanimously agreed that:
... - we will advocate on behalf of our sisters and brothers who have been scattered and displaced, especially those from the Bor area, for their return to their homeland with the encouragement and co-operation of their communities, leaders and civil authorities of origin.
Traditional/religious leaders: Page 1, We have unanimously agreed that:
... - all cross border agreements are respected and the authority of the border chiefs and police patrols are justly observed;
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: Page 2, We have unanimously agreed that:
... - we will demand good governance from our leaders for the achievement of unity and the observance of human rights;
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, We have unanimously agreed that:
... - freedom of movement across our common borders is upheld, and trade and communication is encouraged and supported;
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: Rights related issues→Protection measures→Other
Page 1, ... We have unanimously agreed that:
all traditional hostilities will cease among us, and that all military (and militia) groups are to respect the civilian population and abide by, and protect, this covenant;
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→Socio-economic development
Page 1, We have unanimously agreed that:
... the conditions necessary to foster local peace and development are brought about by our communities and leaders, and the provision of basic essential services for the people are made available and improved;
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: Page 2, We have unanimously agreed that:
... - access to common areas for grazing, fishing and water points will be regulated and shared peacefully among us;
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: Page 2, We have unanimously agreed that:
... - access to common areas for grazing, fishing and water points will be regulated and shared peacefully among us;

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 1, ... We have unanimously agreed that:
all traditional hostilities will cease among us, and that all military (and militia) groups are to respect the civilian population and abide by, and protect, this covenant;
Police: Page 1, We have unanimously agreed that:
... - all cross border agreements are respected and the authority of the border chiefs and police patrols are justly observed;
Armed forces: Page 1, ... We have unanimously agreed that:
all traditional hostilities will cease among us, and that all military (and militia) groups are to respect the civilian population and abide by, and protect, this covenant;
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, ... We have unanimously agreed that:
all traditional hostilities will cease among us, and that all military (and militia) groups are to respect the civilian population and abide by, and protect, this covenant;
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: Transitional justice→Amnesty/pardon→Amnesty/pardon proper
Page 1, We have unanimously agreed that:
... an amnesty will be upheld for all offences against our people and their property prior to the conference, in the spirit of reconciliation and unity. The amnesty takes effect from this date;
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Relief Web: http://reliefweb.int/report/sudan/sudan-lilir-peace-conference

LILIIR COVENANT between the ANYUAK, DINKA, JIE, KACHIPO, MURLE AND NUER who attended the EAST BANK PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE PEACE & RECONCILIATION CONFERENCE in LILIIR, BOR COUNTY, UPPER NILE, SUDAN

(May 9th to the 15th, 2000)

A gathering of traditional and civil leaders was convened in Liliir (Bor, county), to reconcile the differences and conflicts between the Anyuak, Dinka (Bor & Padang), Jie, Kachipo, Murle (Boma) and Nuer (Gawaar & Lou), and to establish harmony and peace amongst themselves.

The spirit of the conference was reflected at the opening by the ceremonial sacrifice of a 'White Bull', and concluded with the declaration of a joint covenant between the represented ethnic groups.

The covenant was sealed with the sacrifice of a 'White Ox', the offering of Christian worship, and the signatures of each of the participating delegates and observers, publicly recorded.

The following outlines their covenant:

"Under the facilitation of the NSCC, and witnessed by many church leaders and other citizens of Sudan, we, the delegates of the Liliir conference have established a covenant of peace and reconciliation between us.

We declare our intention today to cease from hostile acts, and commit ourselves to the practical measures necessary to ensure the integrity and sustainability of our agreement.

Recalling the spirit and wisdom handed down from our ancestors, and the memory of our daughters and sons who have unnecessarily died over the past 10 years, we pledge ourselves to observe and implement this covenant and its accompanying resolutions.

We have unanimously agreed that:

all traditional hostilities will cease among us, and that all military (and militia) groups are to respect the civilian population and abide by, and protect, this covenant;

the conditions necessary to foster local peace and development are brought about by our communities and leaders, and the provision of basic essential services for the people are made available and improved;

an amnesty will be upheld for all offences against our people and their property prior to the conference, in the spirit of reconciliation and unity.

The amnesty takes effect from this date;

- all abducted women and children are freely returned to their places of origin, and where necessary, marriage customs are fulfilled;

- freedom of movement across our common borders is upheld, and trade and communication is encouraged and supported;

- all cross border agreements are respected and the authority of the border chiefs and police patrols are justly observed;

- access to common areas for grazing, fishing and water points will be regulated and shared peacefully among us;

- we will demand good governance from our leaders for the achievement of unity and the observance of human rights;

- we will advocate on behalf of our sisters and brothers who have been scattered and displaced, especially those from the Bor area, for their return to their homeland with the encouragement and co-operation of their communities, leaders and civil authorities of origin.

In conclusion, we appeal that the people from Upper Nile who were either blocked or did not have an opportunity to participate in the conference be told about our deliberations and be encouraged to meet with us in the near future so that the East Bank peoples' peace process can be widened and deepened.

This covenant reflects the will of the people represented at Liliir.

It incorporates the resolutions of the conference (attached), and we urge that they be implemented with the full assistance and protection of the civil authorities under all of the southern liberation movements.

We hope that the friends of Upper Nile will support our efforts and consolidate our desire for peace."