Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions

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Country/entity: South Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
Date: 6 Mar 2020
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 - comprehensive
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: South Sudan post-secession process
Parties: A. Representatives Chiefs

1. Magret Oliva, PAYAM CHIEF, MOLi
2. Maku Felix, HEAD CHIEF, PAGERI PAYAM
3. Isaac Cinya, BOMA CHIEF, MUGALI
4. John Anzo, HEAD CHIEF, MUGALI
5. Akim John, CHIEF, BEKANGWA
6. Bol Kwiir, CHIEF, DINKA COMMUNITY
7. Martine Bona Akim, CHIEF OPARI
8. Felix Maku, BOMA CHIEF PAGERI

[Signature to side – not numbered] Koma James Aliku, Chief Nimule, Central Boma
[Signature to side – not numbered] Tobias Nduru, Head Chief of Opari

B. Representative Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
1. Mary Yar WOMEN ASSOCIATION NETWORK NIMULE
2. Maneno Rukia, PEACE LINK FOUNDATION

C. Representatives of the Refugees
1. Taban Michael Ben, Pangirinyang Refugee Camp Uganda

D. Representative Business Community Nimule
1. Steward Orule, Representative Business Community, Nimule

E. Representative Peace Committee, Nimule
1. Awizia Night Orrick, Chairlady

F. Representative Youth, Nimule
1. Komo Bosco, Youth Leader
[Signature to side] FADIL SILIMAN, Youth Leader

G. Representative of Cattle Herders
1. Abraham Makur Duot, Secretary Cattle Herders in Equatoria Region

H. Representatives Organize Forces, Commanders
1. James Omondi, Administrator, Wild Life Conservation, Nimule
2. David Lohai, Assistant Director, national Civil Defence Service, Nimule
3. Captain Sunday Silvino Akai Jamus, Acting Chief Inspector of Police, Nimule
4. Brigadier Angelo Dut Aduol, SSPDF Commander Arttilary Moli
5. LT COL Majok Deng, Tiger Division, Pageri Barrack
6. MAJ Akol Amet Major, Tiger Division, Nimule Barrack
Third parties: WITNESSES TO THE AGREEMENT
I. Representative Religions Leaders
Fr. Lazarus OLLA, Chair, Person Inter Church Committee (ICC), Nimule
J. County Authority
1. John Ohure Teeks, Executive Director
2. Hon, Emilio Igga, Former County Commissioner
Description: The agreement includes the resolutions but not the summary of the forum. The resolutions touch on return and repatriation of displaced populations, trust-building, and managing cattle related disputes and natural resources.

Agreement document: SS_200306_Pageri Peace Forum Signed Resolutions.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: Groups→Children/youth→Substantive
Page 3, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
1. Return/Repatriation of the IDPs and Refugees
...
f) Government and partners should install better maternity and paediatric health facilities, furnish them with modern medical equipment to protect women and children.
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: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Substantive
Page 3, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
1. Return/Repatriation of the IDPs and Refugees
a) There should be sensitization of IDPs and refugees in their respective camps on progress of implementation of R-ARCSS and community level peace processes intended to prepare their return home
b) Government and peace partners should support return of IDPs and refugees to their original settlements
c) Government and peace partners should initiate peace processes to address Uganda-South Sudan boarder encroachment dispute into South Sudan territory
d) Government should speed up withdrawal of military barracks from civilian areas to allow the return of the displaced and refugees
e) Government should speed up resettlement of IDPs living in disputed settlement areas to allow the return of those displaced elsewhere and of refugees
f) Government and partners should install better maternity and paediatric health facilities, furnish them with modern medical equipment to protect women and children.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: Page 3, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
1. Return/Repatriation of the IDPs and Refugees
...
f) Government and partners should install better maternity and paediatric health facilities, furnish them with modern medical equipment to protect women and children.

Page 5,
B. Representative Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
1. Mary Yar WOMEN ASSOCIATION NETWORK NIMULE
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: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: Page 3, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
3. Management of Cattle Related Conflicts
...
c) All cattle keepers should report their presence to local chiefs, and farmers should report their issues to local chiefs

Page 4, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
5. Establishment of the Committee
a) A Committee shall be established to implement these resolutions
b) The committee is composed of representatives from:
• Local government
• Chiefs from Payam/Boma
• Cattle keepers
• Farmers/host communities
• Police
• Tiger Division, Nimule
• National Security Service, Nimule
• Wildlife
• Civil Defence (Fire Brigade)
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: 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: Justice sector reform→Criminal justice and emergency law→Reform to specific laws
Page 4, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
4. Managing Natural Resources
...
c) Whoever is found guilty of illegal logging shall be handled according to the provisions of South Sudan Forestry Act (if any).
d) In the absence of such an act, a court of law shall compel the accused to plant 50 seedlings of trees (of either same specify species of trees, imprisoned for a term not exceeding 14 years without bail. The logs or timber shall be confiscated by the government concerned.
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 3, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
1. Return/Repatriation of the IDPs and Refugees
...
b) Government and peace partners should support return of IDPs and refugees to their original settlements
Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Infrastructure and reconstruction
Page 3, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
1. Return/Repatriation of the IDPs and Refugees
...
f) Government and partners should install better maternity and paediatric health facilities, furnish them with modern medical equipment to protect women and children.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: Page 4, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
4. Managing Natural Resources
a) Logging of wood is hereby banned, effective from March 6, the day these resolutions were signed.
b) Logging licences issued by any level of government to individuals and companies have been annulled by the February 2020 Presidential decrees which dissolved national, states and local governments
c) Whoever is found guilty of illegal logging shall be handled according to the provisions of South Sudan Forestry Act (if any).
d) In the absence of such an act, a court of law shall compel the accused to plant 50 seedlings of trees (of either same specify species of trees, imprisoned for a term not exceeding 14 years without bail. The logs or timber shall be confiscated by the government concerned.
e) Government officials should not in any way be involved in illegal logging
f) Government shall have the right to license logging where it deems fit to finance its budget
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 3, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
3. Management of Cattle Related Conflicts
a) An urgent Peace Forum to be convened between cattle keepers and farmers in Pageri before cultivation starts, to minimise or prevent possible conflict
b) All cattle shall be registered with the appropriate County authority and Town Councils
c) All cattle keepers should report their presence to local chiefs, and farmers should report their issues to local chiefs
d) All cattle keepers should move their cattle far from farmlands.
e) Seasonal movement of cattle shall be regulated by Local Authorities and Committees constituted to implement these resolutions, and shall not contradict these resolutions.
f) When cows/goats/pigs destroy crops, animal owners will pay the following fines to crop owners:
• each cow will be charged SSP 35,000
• each goat will be charged SSP 20,000
• each pig will be charged SSP 25,000
• If the animal owner does not have money, 30% of the animals that destroyed the crops will be used as compensation
a) Those taking cattle for grazing and water should do so without carrying guns to allow individual or group accountability when crops are destroyed
b) Cattle keepers should respect farmers or host communities
c) County authority and Town Council, with support from security organs, shall regulate the number of guns used by cattle keepers, who should be disarmed, if possible.

Page 4, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
S. Establishment of the Committee
a) A Committee shall be established to implement these resolutions
b) The committee is composed of representatives from:
• Local government
• Chiefs from Payam/Boma
• Cattle keepers
• Farmers/host communities
• Police
• Tiger Division, Nimule
• National Security Service, Nimule
• Wildlife
• Civil Defence (Fire Brigade)
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: No specific mention.
Police: Page 3, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
2. Building Trust and Confidence
a) Noting the extent to which trust and confidence between the military and civilians has been broken, there should be periodical civil-military relations forums and community policing forums to restore trust and confidence, and establish partnership in the delivery of security, justice and crime prevention

Page 4, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
S. Establishment of the Committee
a) A Committee shall be established to implement these resolutions
b) The committee is composed of representatives from:
• Local government
• Chiefs from Payam/Boma
• Cattle keepers
• Farmers/host communities
• Police
• Tiger Division, Nimule
• National Security Service, Nimule
• Wildlife
• Civil Defence (Fire Brigade)
Armed forces: Page 3, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
1. Return/Repatriation of the IDPs and Refugees
...
d) Government should speed up withdrawal of military barracks from civilian areas to allow the return of the displaced and refugees

Page 3, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
2. Building Trust and Confidence
a) Noting the extent to which trust and confidence between the military and civilians has been broken, there should be periodical civil-military relations forums and community policing forums to restore trust and confidence, and establish partnership in the delivery of security, justice and crime prevention
b) Movement of soldiers (with or without uniform) carry weapons in the urban areas is hereby stopped. County authority or Town Council shall work with the military to establish or activate military police to regulate movement of soldiers in civilians' residential areas

Page 3, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
3. Management of Cattle Related Conflicts
...
County authority and Town Council, with support from security organs, shall regulate the number of guns used by cattle keepers, who should be disarmed, if possible.

Page 4, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
S. Establishment of the Committee
a) A Committee shall be established to implement these resolutions
b) The committee is composed of representatives from:
• Local government
• Chiefs from Payam/Boma
• Cattle keepers
• Farmers/host communities
• Police
• Tiger Division, Nimule
• National Security Service, Nimule
• Wildlife
• Civil Defence (Fire Brigade)
DDR: No specific mention.
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: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
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: Page 4, Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions
S. Establishment of the Committee
a) A Committee shall be established to implement these resolutions
b) The committee is composed of representatives from:
• Local government
• Chiefs from Payam/Boma
• Cattle keepers
• Farmers/host communities
• Police
• Tiger Division, Nimule
• National Security Service, Nimule
• Wildlife
• Civil Defence (Fire Brigade)
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: On file with PI.

Pageri Peace Forum

Organised by Pageri Local Government & Inter Church Committee, Nimule

March 4-6, 2020

Supported by South Sudan Peace Building Opportunities Fund

Summary

The Pageri Peace Forum is the initiative of the former Torit State government, namely the Peace Commission in support to local government and the Inter Church Committee in the former Pageri County.

With support from UKAID's Peacebuilding Opportunity Fund (POF), the Forum took place in Nimule, Eastern Equatoria State, from March 4-6, 2020.

Chaired by Mr. John Ohure Teeks, Pageri Administration Executive Director, the Forum explored what needs to be done to support the return of refugees from the camps in Uganda and of IDPs within the State.

Seventy-five participants (19 women;

56 men) actively engaged in the Forum which included representatives from local government, the organised forces (Tiger Division, SSPDF Artillery Unit at Mali , Wildlife, Police, Prison Services), from refugee camps and IDP settlements, religious and traditional leaders, civil society, women's and youth organisations, people with disability, the business community, and representatives from other communities residing in Nimule town.

Cattle herder leadership, Tiger division commanders, and SSPDF Commanders from Pageri, Nimule, Opari, Kerepi, and Moli, expressed appreciation for the Forum that enabled them to come together with the Madi community to strengthen their broken relationship, explore possible solutions and a way forward from the hurt and devastation caused following the 2016 conflict.

The organised forces expressed their deep regret, apologised for the destruction caused by their soldiers, and asked that the community report cases of destruction, harassment, looting and rape by soldiers under their command, so they face the law and be accountable for crimes committed.

Forum Objectives

■ To explore what needs to be done to allow the return of refugees and IDPs to their home areas of Pageri, Mali, Opari, Kerepi, and other locations

■ To create a platform under the leadership of local government that provides a space to strengthen peace and security initiatives in dialogue with all relevant actors

■ To identify issues that require local government and local communities to come together with cattle herders, organised forces, and other relevant actors to require resolution

Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions

1. Return/Repatriation of the I DPs and Refugees

a) There should be sensitization of I DPs and refugees in their respective camps on progress of implementation of R-ARCSS and community level peace processes intended to prepare their return home

b) Government and peace partners should support return of IDPs and refugees to their original settlements

c) Government and peace partners should initiate peace processes to address Uganda-South Sudan boarder encroachment dispute into South Sudan territory

d) Government should speed up withdrawal of military barracks from civilian areas to allow the return of the displaced and refugees

e) Government should speed up resettlement of IDPs living in disputed settlement areas to allow the return of those displaced elsewhere and of refugees

f) Government and partners should install better maternity and paediatric health facilities, furnish them with modern medical equipment to protect women and children.

2. Building Trust and Confidence

a) Noting the extent to which trust and confidence between the military and civilians has been broken, there should be periodical civil-military relations forums and community policing forums to restore trust and confidence, and establish partnership in the delivery of security, justice and crime prevention

b) Movement of soldiers (with or without uniform) carry weapons in the urban areas is hereby stopped.

County authority or Town Council shall work with the military to establish or activate military police to regulate movement of soldiers in civilians' residential areas

c) Within their jurisdiction, County Authorities and Town Council should issue resident identification cards while process National identification cards.

3. Management of Cattle Related Conflicts

a) An urgent Peace Forum to be convened between cattle keepers and farmers in Pageri before cultivation starts, to minimise or prevent possible conflict

b) All cattle shall be registered with the appropriate County authority and Town Councils

c) All cattle keepers should report their presence to local chiefs, and farmers should report their issues to local chiefs

d) All cattle keepers should move their cattle far from farmlands.

e) Seasonal movement of cattle shall be regulated by Local Authorities and Committees constituted to implement these resolutions, and shall not contradict these resolutions.

f) When cows/goats/pigs destroy crops, animal owners will pay the following fines to crop owners:

• each cow will be charged SSP 35,000

• each goat will be charged SSP 20,000

• each pig will be charged SSP 25,000

• If the animal owner does not have money, 30% of the animals that destroyed the crops will be used as compensation

a) Those taking cattle for grazing and water should do so without carrying guns to allow individual or group accountability when crops are destroyed

b) Cattle keepers should respect farmers or host communities

c) County authority and Town Council, with support from security organs, shall regulate the number of guns used by cattle keepers, who should be disarmed, if possible.

4. Managing Natural Resources

a) Logging of wood is hereby banned, effective from March 6, the day these resolutions were signed.

b) Logging licences issued by any level of government to individuals and companies have been annulled by the February 2020 Presidential decrees which dissolved national, states and local governments

c) Whoever is found guilty of illegal logging shall be handled according to the provisions of South Sudan Forestry Act (if any).

d) In the absence of such an act, a court of law shall compel the accused to plant 50 seedlings of trees (of either same specify species of trees, imprisoned for a term not exceeding 14 years without bail.

The logs or timber shall be confiscated by the government concerned.

e) Government officials should not in any way be involved in illegal logging

f) Government shall have the right to license logging where it deems fit to finance its budgets

5. Establishment of the Committee

a) A Committee shall be established to implement these resolutions

b) The committee is composed of representatives from:

• Local government

• Chiefs from Payam/Boma

• Cattle keepers

• Farmers/host communities

• Police

• Tiger Division, Nimule

• National Security Service, Nimule

• Wildlife

• Civil Defence (Fire Brigade)

Representatives Chiefs

Magret Oliva, PAYAM CHIEF, MOLi

Maku Felix, HEAD CHIEF, PAGERI PAYAM

Isaac Cinya, BOMA CHIEF, MUGALI

John Anzo, HEAD CHIEF, MUGALI

Akim John, CHIEF, BEKANGWA

Bol Kwiir, CHIEF, DINKA COMMUNITY

Martine Bona Akim, CHIEF OPARI

Felix Maku, BOMA CHIEF PAGERI

[Signature to side – not numbered] Koma James Aliku, Chief Nimule, Central Boma

[Signature to side – not numbered] Tobias Nduru, Head Chief of Opari

Representative Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)

Mary Yar WOMEN ASSOCIATION NETWORK NI MULE

Maneno Rukia, PEACE LINK FOUNDATION

Representatives of the Refugees

Taban Michael Ben, Pangirinyang Refugee Camp Uganda

Representative Business Community Nimule

Steward Orule, Representative Business Community, Nimule

Representative Peace Committee, Nimule

Awizia Night Orrick, Chairlady

Representative Youth, Nimule

Komo Bosco, Youth Leader

[Signature to side] FADIL SILIMAN, Youth Leader

Representative of Cattle Herders

Abraham Makur Duot, Secretary Cattle Herders in Equatoria Region

Representatives Organize Forces, Commanders

James Omondi, Administrator, Wild Life Conservation, Nimule

David Lohai, Assistant Director, national Civil Defence Service, Nimule

Captain Sunday Silvino Akai Jamus, Acting Chief Inspector of Police, Nimule

Brigadier Angelo Dut Aduol, SSPDF Commander Arttilary Moli

LT COL Majok Deng, Tiger Division, Pageri Barrack

MAJ Akol Amet Major, Tiger Division, Nimule Barrack

WITNESSES TO THE AGREEMENT

Representative Religions Leaders

Fr. Lazarus OLLA, Chair, Person Inter Church Committee (ICC), Nimule

County Authority

John Ohure Teeks, Executive Director

Hon, Emilio Igga, Former County Commissioner

Pageri Peace Forum Resolutions

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

Source agreement