Declaration of Principles between the Transitional Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement - North
- Country/entitySudan
- RegionAfrica (excl MENA)
- Agreement nameDeclaration of Principles between the Transitional Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement - North
- Date28 Mar 2021
- Agreement statusMultiparty signed/agreed
- Interim arrangementYes
- Agreement/conflict levelIntrastate/intrastate conflict ()
- StageFramework/substantive - partial
- Conflict natureGovernment
- Peace processSudan Transition Process
- PartiesSignatories:
Gen. Abdulfatah El-Burhan Abdulrahman, Chairman of the Transitional Sovereign Council, Republic of Sudan
CDR. Abdalaziz Adam Al-Hilu, Chairman, Sudan People's Liberation Movement / Army - North, SPLM/A-N - Third partiesWitnesses:
Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan
Gov. David M. Beasley, Executive Director, World Food Programme - DescriptionAn Agreement between the new transitional government of Sudan and the SPLM/A-N (SPLM-N in text), affirming a commitment to the past agreements (undertaken by previous government), and to secure a ceasefire within the frame of the transition. The Agreement sets out key principles agreed between the parties and brings is a key group that was not a signatory of the Juba Agreement into negotiations.
- Agreement document
Groups
- Children/youthGroups→Children/youth→RhetoricalPage 3:
2-6: Human, women and children rights that are enshrined in international covenants and covenants which are ratified shall be incorporated in the peace agreement. - Disabled persons
No specific mention.
- Elderly/age
No specific mention.
- Migrant workers
No specific mention.
- Racial/ethnic/national groupGroups→Racial/ethnic/national group→RhetoricalPage 2:
2-1: Sudan is racially, ethnically. religiously and culturally a diverse state; therefore, this diversity must be fully recognized and managed, and the question of national identity be addressed.
Page 2-3:
2-3: The establishment of a civil, democratic, federal State in Sudan, wherein, the freedom of religion, the freedom of belief and religious practices and worship shall be guaranteed to all Sudanese people by separating the identities of culture, region, ethnicity and religion from the State. No religion shall be imposed on anyone and the State shall not adopt any official religion. The State shall be impartial in terms of religious matters and matters of faith and conscience. The State shall guarantee and protect the freedom of religion and practices. These principles shall be enshrined in the constitution. - Religious groupsGroups→Religious groups→RhetoricalPage 2:
2-1: Sudan is racially, ethnically. religiously and culturally a diverse state; therefore, this diversity must be fully recognized and managed, and the question of national identity be addressed.
Page 2-3:
2-3: The establishment of a civil, democratic, federal State in Sudan, wherein, the freedom of religion, the freedom of belief and religious practices and worship shall be guaranteed to all Sudanese people by separating the identities of culture, region, ethnicity and religion from the State. No religion shall be imposed on anyone and the State shall not adopt any official religion. The State shall be impartial in terms of religious matters and matters of faith and conscience. The State shall guarantee and protect the freedom of religion and practices. These principles shall be enshrined in the constitution. - 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 genderPage 3:
2-6: Human, women and children rights that are enshrined in international covenants and covenants which are ratified shall be incorporated in the peace agreement. - Men and boys
No specific mention.
- LGBTI
No specific mention.
- Family
No specific mention.
State definition
- Nature of state (general)Page 2:
The two parties agree that the following principles form the basis for resolving the conflict in Sudan:
1. The two parties agree to work together to achieve and consolidate the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Sudan.
Page 2-3:
2 Any comprehensive solution to the Sudanese problem requires all parties to recognize and affirm the following:
(A) The history and nature of the conflict in the Sudan confirm that a military solution cannot lead to lasting peace and stability in the country;
(B) A peaceful and just political solution to the conflict in the Sudan must be a common goal of the parties to the negotiation;
2-1: Sudan is racially, ethnically. religiously and culturally a diverse state; therefore, this diversity must be fully recognized and managed, and the question of national identity be addressed.
2-2: Emphasize the right of the peoples of the regions of Sudan to manage their affairs through decentralization or federalism.
2-3: The establishment of a civil, democratic, federal State in Sudan, wherein, the freedom of religion, the freedom of belief and religious practices and worship shall be guaranteed to all Sudanese people by separating the identities of culture, region, ethnicity and religion from the State. No religion shall be imposed on anyone and the State shall not adopt any official religion. The State shall be impartial in terms of religious matters and matters of faith and conscience. The State shall guarantee and protect the freedom of religion and practices. These principles shall be enshrined in the constitution. - 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
No specific mention.
- Public administration
No specific mention.
- ConstitutionGovernance→Constitution→Constitutional reform/makingPage 2-3:
2-3: The establishment of a civil, democratic, federal State in Sudan, wherein, the freedom of religion, the freedom of belief and religious practices and worship shall be guaranteed to all Sudanese people by separating the identities of culture, region, ethnicity and religion from the State. No religion shall be imposed on anyone and the State shall not adopt any official religion. The State shall be impartial in terms of religious matters and matters of faith and conscience. The State shall guarantee and protect the freedom of religion and practices. These principles shall be enshrined in the constitution.
Page 3:
5: What is agreed upon between the two parties will be considered in the process of developing the constitutional charter to become a permanent constitution at the end of the transitional period.
Power sharing
- Political power sharing
No specific mention.
- Territorial power sharingPower sharing→Territorial power sharing→Federal or similar sub-divided governmentPage 2:
2 Any comprehensive solution to the Sudanese problem requires all parties to recognize and affirm the following:
...
2-2: Emphasize the right of the peoples of the regions of Sudan to manage their affairs through decentralization or federalism. - Economic power sharingPower sharing→Economic power sharing→OtherPage 3:
2-5: Achieving justice in the distribution of power and wealth among all the peoples of the Sudanese regions to combat marginalization developmentally, culturally, taking into account the affirmative action of the war regions; - Military power sharingPower sharing→Military power sharing→Merger of forcesPage 3:
3: Sudan shall have a single professional national army that operates according to a new unified military doctrine that is committed to protecting national security in accordance with the constitution; security and military institutions shall reflect Sudanese diversity and their allegiance shall be to the country and not to any other political parties or groups. The process of integration and unification of forces shall be gradual and completed by the end of the transitional period and after resolution of the relationship between religion and state by the constitution as referred to in Paragraph 2-3 herein.Power sharing→Military power sharing→ProportionalityPage 3:
3: Sudan shall have a single professional national army that operates according to a new unified military doctrine that is committed to protecting national security in accordance with the constitution; security and military institutions shall reflect Sudanese diversity and their allegiance shall be to the country and not to any other political parties or groups. The process of integration and unification of forces shall be gradual and completed by the end of the transitional period and after resolution of the relationship between religion and state by the constitution as referred to in Paragraph 2-3 herein.
Human rights and equality
- Human rights/RoL generalPage 3:
2-4 Personal status laws are based on religion, custom and traditional beliefs in a way that does not conflict with basic rights;
...
2-6: Human, women and children rights that are enshrined in international covenants and covenants which are ratified shall be incorporated in the peace agreement. - Bill of rights/similar
No specific mention.
- Treaty incorporationPage 3:
2-6: Human, women and children rights that are enshrined in international covenants and covenants which are ratified shall be incorporated in the peace agreement.
2-7: Emphasize that the government of Sudan has taken the necessary measures to accede to international and African human rights charters and covenants that have not been ratified by the Republic of Sudan. - Civil and political rights
No specific mention.
- Socio-economic rights
No specific mention.
Rights related issues
- Citizenship
No specific mention.
- DemocracyPage 2-3:
2-3: The establishment of a civil, democratic, federal State in Sudan, wherein, the freedom of religion, the freedom of belief and religious practices and worship shall be guaranteed to all Sudanese people by separating the identities of culture, region, ethnicity and religion from the State. No religion shall be imposed on anyone and the State shall not adopt any official religion. The State shall be impartial in terms of religious matters and matters of faith and conscience. The State shall guarantee and protect the freedom of religion and practices. These principles shall be enshrined in the constitution. - 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 institutionsRights institutions→Regional or international human rights institutions→OtherPage 3:
2-6: Human, women and children rights that are enshrined in international covenants and covenants which are ratified shall be incorporated in the peace agreement.
2-7: Emphasize that the government of Sudan has taken the necessary measures to accede to international and African human rights charters and covenants that have not been ratified by the Republic of Sudan.
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 LawsPage 3:
2-4 Personal status laws are based on religion, custom and traditional beliefs in a way that does not conflict with basic rights;
Socio-economic reconstruction
- Development or socio-economic reconstructionSocio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic developmentPage 3:
2-5: Achieving justice in the distribution of power and wealth among all the peoples of the Sudanese regions to combat marginalization developmentally, culturally, taking into account the affirmative action of the war regions; - 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 heritageLand, property and environment→Cultural heritage→OtherPage 2:
2-1: Sudan is racially, ethnically. religiously and culturally a diverse state; therefore, this diversity must be fully recognized and managed, and the question of national identity be addressed.
Page 2-3:
2-3: The establishment of a civil, democratic, federal State in Sudan, wherein, the freedom of religion, the freedom of belief and religious practices and worship shall be guaranteed to all Sudanese people by separating the identities of culture, region, ethnicity and religion from the State. No religion shall be imposed on anyone and the State shall not adopt any official religion. The State shall be impartial in terms of religious matters and matters of faith and conscience. The State shall guarantee and protect the freedom of religion and practices. These principles shall be enshrined in the constitution. - Environment
No specific mention.
- Water or riparian rights or access
No specific mention.
Security sector
- Security Guarantees
No specific mention.
- CeasefireSecurity sector→Ceasefire→General commitmentsPage 3,
6: The two parties will agree to a permanent ceasefire once the security arrangements are agreed upon as part of the comprehensive settlement of the conflict in Sudan. - Police
No specific mention.
- Armed forcesPage 3,
3: Sudan shall have a single professional national army that operates according to a new unified military doctrine that is committed to protecting national security in accordance with the constitution; security and military institutions shall reflect Sudanese diversity and their allegiance shall be to the country and not to any other political parties or groups. The process of integration and unification of forces shall be gradual and completed by the end of the transitional period and after resolution of the relationship between religion and state by the constitution as referred to in Paragraph 2-3 herein. - DDR
No specific mention.
- Intelligence services
No specific mention.
- Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forcesPage 3,
3: Sudan shall have a single professional national army that operates according to a new unified military doctrine that is committed to protecting national security in accordance with the constitution; security and military institutions shall reflect Sudanese diversity and their allegiance shall be to the country and not to any other political parties or groups. The process of integration and unification of forces shall be gradual and completed by the end of the transitional period and after resolution of the relationship between religion and state by the constitution as referred to in Paragraph 2-3 herein. - 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 signatoryGov. David M. Beasley, Executive Director, World Food Programme
- Other international signatoryGen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan
- Referendum for agreement
No specific mention.
- International mission/force/similar
No specific mention.
- Enforcement mechanism
No specific mention.
- Related cases
No specific mention.
- SourceMade publicly available at https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/28/sudan-and-main-rebel-group-sign-agreement-to-restart-peace-talks (accessed on 10/5/2021).
Declaration of Principles between the Transitional Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement — North
We, the delegations of the transitional Government of the Sudan, hereinafter referred to as (Government of Sudan), and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement - North, hereinafter referred to as (the SPLM - N);
Taking in to account all the previous talks that took place between the Government of Sudan and the SPLM - N;
And in mind the sense of the long and continuous suffering of the citizens in war zones, and the damages that the war causes on all Sudanese;
Believing that the glorious December revolution, that the young women and men of Sudan and the revolutions of the armed struggle movements that imbued with enormous blood and sacrifices, and which have created, a historic opportunity to address the root causes of the Sudanese crisis and build a citizenship state that accommodates all.
Emphasizing the importance of reaching a comprehensive, negotiated peace agreement that puts a logical end to the war in Sudan;
The two parties agree that the following principles form the basis for resolving the conflict in Sudan:
1. The two parties agree to work together to achieve and consolidate the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Sudan.
2 1 Any comprehensive solution to the Sudanese problem requires all parties to recognize and affirm the following:
(A) The history and nature of the conflict in the Sudan confirm that a military solution cannot lead to lasting peace and stability in the country;
(B) A peaceful and just political solution to the conflict in the Sudan must be a common goal of the parties to the negotiation;
2-1: Sudan is racially, ethnically.
religiously and culturally a diverse state;
therefore, this diversity must be fully recognized and managed, and the question of national identity be addressed.
2-2: Emphasize the right of the peoples of the regions of Sudan to manage their affairs through decentralization or federalism.
2-3: The establishment of a civil, democratic, federal State in Sudan, wherein, the freedom of religion, the freedom of belief and religious practices and worship shall be guaranteed to all Sudanese people by separating the identities of culture, region, ethnicity and religion from the State.
No religion shall be imposed on anyone and the
State shall not adopt any official religion.
The State shall be impartial in terms of religious matters and matters of faith and conscience.
The State shall guarantee and protect the freedom of religion and practices.
These principles shall be enshrined in the constitution.
2-4 Personal status laws are based on religion, custom and traditional beliefs in a way that does not conflict with basic rights;
2-5: Achieving justice in the distribution of power and wealth among all the peoples of the Sudanese regions to combat marginalization developmentally, culturally, taking into account the affirmative action of the war regions;
2-6: Human, women and children rights that are enshrined in international covenants and covenants which are ratified shall be incorporated in the peace agreement.
2-7: Emphasize that the government of Sudan has taken the necessary measures to accede to international and African human rights charters and covenants that have not been ratified by the Republic of Sudan.
3: Sudan shall have a single professional national army that operates according to a new unified military doctrine that is committed to protecting national security in accordance with the constitution;
security and military institutions shall reflect Sudanese diversity and their allegiance shall be to the country and not to any other political parties or groups.
The process of integration and unification of forces shall be gradual and completed by the end of the transitional period and after resolution of the relationship between religion and state by the constitution as referred to in Paragraph 2-3 herein.
4: Agreement on transitional arrangements between the two parties that include the period.
tasks, mechanisms, budgets and others.
5: What is agreed upon between the two parties Will be considered in the process of developing the constitutional charter to become a permanent constitution at the end of the transitional period.
6: The two parties will agree to a permanent ceasefire once the security arrangements are agreed upon as part of the comprehensive settlement of the conflict in Sudan.