Rome Initiative for Political Dialogue in South Sudan, Declaration of Principles, 10 March 2021,Naivasha, Kenya

• Country/entity

  South Sudan
  
• Region

  Africa (excl MENA)
  
• Agreement name

  Rome Initiative for Political Dialogue in South Sudan, Declaration of Principles, 10 March 2021,Naivasha, Kenya
• Date

  10 Mar 2021
• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed
• Interim arrangement

  Yes
• Agreement/conflict level

  Intrastate/intrastate conflict ( Sudan Conflicts (1955 - ) )
• Stage

  Pre-negotiation/process
• Conflict nature

  Government/territory
• Peace process

  South Sudan post-secession process
• Parties

  For Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU)
  Hon. Barnaba Marial Benjamin
  For South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA)
  Hon. Pa `gan Amum Okiech (Real SPLM) and Gen. Paul Malong Awan Anei (SSUF/A)
• Third parties

  Observers:
  Ismail Wais, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan,
  Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Kenya Special Envoy for South Sudan,
  Betty Oyella Bigombe, Uganda Special Envoy for South Sudan
  Facilitator: Paolo Impagliazzo, Secretary General Community of Sant’Egidio
  Host: Government of Kenya
• Description

  This agreement sets out a list of principles between the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) and South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) following the Rome Declaration of 12th January 2020 and the Rome Resolution of 13th February 2020.

• Agreement document

  SS_210310_Rome Initiative for Political Dialogue in South Sudan - Declaration of Principles.pdf | Download PDF

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

Annex II:

Rome Initiative for Political Dialogue in South Sudan, Declaration of Principles, 10 March 2021, Naivasha, Kenya

Rome initiative for Political Dialogue in South Sudan

DECLARATION Of PRINCIPLES

We, the representatives of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) led by Hon.

Bamaba Marial Benjamin and South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) led by Hon.

Pa `gan Amum Okiech (Real SPLM) and Gen. Paul Malong Awan Anei (SSUF/A), meeting under the auspices of the Community of Sant'Egidio in coordination with the Government of Kenya in Naivasha, Kenya,

Recalling the Rome Declaration of 12th January 2020 and the Rome Resolution of 13th February 2020;

Aware of the unique opportunity availed by the Rome Initiative to achieve a comprehensive, all-inclusive and sustainable peace in South Sudan;

Concerned by the continued suffering and misery of the people of South Sudan;

Committed to transform South Sudan into a viable and resilient state capable of building a free and prosperous nation, where its people live "united in peace and harmony";

Reaffirming our commitment to preserve and protect the independence and territorial integrity South Sudan;

Hereby agree to the following Declaration of Principles (DoP) that would constitute the basis for the subsequent political dialogue to resolve the grave national crisis in the country

1. That lasting resolution of the conflict in South Sudan requires addressing the political concerns and root causes of the conflict;

2. No military solution can bring lasting peace and stability to the country and a negotiable and just political settlement shall be the common objective of the parties to the Rome Initiative to achieve permanent and sustainable peace and democratic system of governance;

based on the supremacy principles of the rule of law

3. The unity of the people of South Sudan based on their shared history of struggle for freedom and self-determination, shared aspirations to live in peace, harmony and dignity, must be the common goal.

4. South Sudan is a multi-ethnic, multi religious and multi-cultural society and therefore full recognition, respect, protection and acceptance of these diversities must be affirmed.

5. Divisive policies, and negative regional sectarianism, tribalism and nepotism shall be rejected and eradicated South Sudan.

6. The civil and political, cultural and economical rights of all South Sudanese citizens shall be upheld and guaranteed by law

7, A secular, democratic and multi-party federal state based on equal citizenship shall be established in South Sudan.

8. A fair, transparent management and sharing of national wealth among the people of South Sudan at the national state and local government levels must be realized.

9. Land in South Sudan belongs to the people.

Its ownership and use shall be regulated by customs and law.

Resolution of communal and tribal land disputes shall be based on communal and tribal land boundaries as they stood on the 01/01/1956, taking into consideration the historical, cultural and geographical factors.

This principle shall be incorporated into the permanent constitution in the current constitutional making process.

10.Establishment of transparent and accountable system of management of natural and public resources to prevent and combat corruption, mismanagement and to realize equitable socio-economic development in the country

11. Transitional justice and accountability must be instituted without delay or obstruction as the basis for national reconciliation, healing and unity.

12.Defense forces and other organized forces of the Republic of South Sudan shall be professional, non-partisan and non-political.

Their composition shall reflect the diversity of the Republic of South Sudan, their mandate shall be defined by the constitution and law.

13. The National Security Service (NSS) of the Republic of South Sudan shall be professional, non-partisan and non-political and its composition shall reflect the diversity of the nation.

Its sole mandate is to gather and analyse information, and advise the government in pursuit and protection of national interest.

They shall have no power of domestic law enforcement.

The principle of it not having the power of arrest and detention shall be enshrined in the Constitution as part of the current constitution making process.

14.Professionalize law enforcement agencies and community policing services with the mandate of maintaining internal law and order and protection of citizen's life and property.

15.The Republic of South Sudan shall have an effective public service reform and environmental stewardship.

With this Declaration of Principles the parties commit themselves to implement as soon as possible the agreement in a spirit of good faith.

Done on 10th March 2021, in Naivasha, Kenya

Barnaba Marial Benjamin (R-TGoNU)

Pa'gan Amum Okiech (SSOMA-Real SPLM)

Paul Malong Awan Anei (SSOMA-SSUF/A)

Ismail Wais, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan

Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Kenya Special Envoy for South Sudan

Betty Oyella Bigombe, Uganda Special Envoy for South Sudan

Paolo Impagliazzo, Secretary General Community of Sant’Egidio