The University of EdinburghPeace Agreements DatabasePeaceRep

Political Charter between the Sudan Government and the SPLA (United)

  • Country/entity

    South Sudan
    Sudan
  • Region

    Africa (excl MENA)
    Africa (excl MENA)
  • Agreement name

    Political Charter between the Sudan Government and the SPLA (United)
  • Date

    26 Apr 1995
  • 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

    Sudanese (North-South) peace process
  • Parties

    For the Government of Sudan: Lino Roll Deng; For the SPLA/M: Arok Thon, Chol Deng
  • Third parties

    -
  • Description

    Agreement on overarching principles by which further negotiations will be conducted to resolve the North/South Sudan conflict. Calls for substantive discussions to be held on decentralisation, power and wealth sharing, religious rights and the formation of a national army, which would include SPLA (united) troops.


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

    No specific mention.

  • Men and boys

    No specific mention.

  • LGBTI

    No specific mention.

  • Family

    No specific mention.


State definition

  • Nature of state (general)
    Page 1, 1. Preserve the unity of the Sudan with its recognized international boundaries, secure its entity against all internal and external dangers. Endeavour to keep peace, justice and supremacy of the values of right and goodness.

    Page 1, 3. Assert and promote the values of participatory democracy in the light of the
    changing situations and practices.

    Page 1, 6. Recognize cultural diversity in the Sudan and enable the people to freely express their values.

    Page 1, 8. Citizenship shall be the basis of rights and duties in furtherance to the values of justice, equality, freedom and human rights.

    Page 1, 12. The Sudan shall interact with African and Arab nations on the basis of its effective Sudanese identity for the benefit of the country and the world community at large.
  • State configuration
    Page 1, 1. Preserve the unity of the Sudan with its recognized international boundaries, secure its entity against all internal and external dangers. Endeavour to keep peace, justice and supremacy of the values of right and goodness.
  • 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
    Page 1, 10. The two parties shall work together for the stability, reconstruction, rehabilitation and development in the war affected areas. The support of the friendly and sisterly nations shall be sought to expedite the process.

    Page 1, 12. The Sudan shall interact with African and Arab nations on the basis of its effective Sudanese identity for the benefit of the country and the world community at large.

Governance

  • Political institutions (new or reformed)
    Governance→Political institutions (new or reformed)→General references
    Page 1, 9. The two parties shall fully and effectively participate in all constitutional, political and executive institutions at all levels.
  • Elections

    No specific mention.

  • Electoral commission

    No specific mention.

  • Political parties reform

    No specific mention.

  • Civil society
    Page 1, 3. parties commit to assert and promote the values of participatoy democracy in the light of the changing situations and practices.
  • Traditional/religious leaders

    No specific mention.

  • Public administration

    No specific mention.

  • Constitution

    No specific mention.


Power sharing

  • Political power sharing
    Power sharing→Political power sharing→General
    State level
    Sub-state level
    Page 1, 9. The two parties shall fully and effectively participate in all constitutional, political and executive institutions at all levels.

    Page 2, 13. Power and national wealth in the Sudan will be equitably shared between the citizens of the country, the details shall be worked out by the two parties.

    Page 2, 14. The two parties have agreed on decentralization of the South and a coordinating council shall be formed between the Southern States according to their consent.
  • Territorial power sharing
    Power sharing→Territorial power sharing→Federal or similar sub-divided government
    Page 2, 14. The two parties have agreed on decentralization of the South and a coordinating council shall be formed between the Southern States according to their consent.
  • Economic power sharing
    Power sharing→Economic power sharing→Sharing of resources
    Page 2, 13. Power and national wealth in the Sudan will be equitably shared between the
    citizens of the country, the details shall be worked out by the two parties.
  • Military power sharing
    Power sharing→Military power sharing→Merger of forces
    Page 1, 11. After classification of the SPLA troops the two parties have agreed to form one national army, which will be deployed separately for a time to be agreed upon. A
    technical committee will be established to work out the details.

Human rights and equality

  • Human rights/RoL general
    Page 1, 6. Recognize cultural diversity in the Sudan and enable the people to freely express their values.

    Page 1, 8. Citizenship shall be the basis of rights and duties in furtherance to the values of justice, equality, freedom and 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→Equality
    Page 1, 8. Citizenship shall be the basis of rights and duties in furtherance to the values of justice, equality, freedom and human rights.

    Page 2, 13. Power and national wealth in the Sudan will be equitably shared between the
    citizens of the country, the details shall be worked out by the two parties.
    Human rights and equality→Civil and political rights→Thought, opinion, conscience and religion
    Page 1, 5. Observe freedom of religion and belief and maintain a suitable atmosphere for
    practising worship, Daawa and preaching. No citizen shall be coerced to embrace any faith or religion.

    Page 1, 6. Recognize cultural diversity in the Sudan and enable the people to freely express their values.
  • Socio-economic rights

    No specific mention.


Rights related issues

  • Citizenship

    No specific mention.

  • Democracy
    Page 1, 3. Assert and promote the values of participatory democracy in the light of the
    changing situations and practices.
  • 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

    No specific mention.

  • State of emergency provisions

    No specific mention.

  • Judiciary and courts

    No specific mention.

  • Prisons and detention

    No specific mention.

  • Traditional Laws
    Page 1, 7. Sharia, customs and beliefs shall be the sources for legislation in the Sudan.
    However, States may enact legislation complementary to the federal laws in matters peculiar to those States.

Socio-economic reconstruction

  • Development or socio-economic reconstruction
    Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
    Page 1, 10. The two parties shall work together for the stability, reconstruction, rehabilitation and development in the war affected areas. The support of the friendly and sisterly nations shall be sought to expedite the process.

    Page 2, 16. The two parties have agreed that social development is an extreme priority for the achievement of which the state shall plan for confidence building and expedite the process of alleviation of poverty, ignorance mid illiteracy. The State should also cater for provision of knowledge and satisfaction.
    Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Infrastructure and reconstruction
    Page 1, 10. The two parties shall work together for the stability, reconstruction, rehabilitation and development in the war affected areas. The support of the friendly and sisterly nations shall be sought to expedite the process.
  • 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

    No specific mention.

  • Police

    No specific mention.

  • Armed forces
    Page 1, 11. After classification of the SPLA troops the two parties have agreed to form one national army, which will be deployed separately for a time to be agreed upon. A
    technical committee will be established to work out the details.
  • DDR

    No specific mention.

  • Intelligence services

    No specific mention.

  • Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces
    Page 1, 11. After classification of the SPLA troops the two parties have agreed to form one national army, which will be deployed separately for a time to be agreed upon. A
    technical committee will be established to work out the details.
  • 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

    No specific mention.

  • Related cases

    No specific mention.

  • Source
    Peacemaker.un.org,. 2015. 'UN Peacemaker'. http://peacemaker.un.org.

Political Charter Between the Sudan Government and the SPLA (United)

In the name of God the Compassionate, the Merciful

This Charter has been made on the 26th of April 1995 between the delegation of the Government of the Sudan and the SPLA/M (United) delegation.

The two parties have pledged to cooperate, support each other and stand together in bringing about peace and ruling the Sudan according to the following principles:

1. Preserve the unity of the Sudan with its recognized international boundaries, secure its entity against all internal and external dangers.

Endeavour to keep peace, justice and supremacy of the values of right and goodness.

2. The Federal System shall be tested and evaluated for a period of time to be agreed upon.

3. Assert and promote the values of participatory democracy in the light of the changing situations and practices.

4. Fight Sectarianism (Taifia) and its allies in all forms.

5. Observe freedom of religion and belief and maintain a suitable atmosphere for practising worship, Daawa and preaching.

No citizen shall be coerced to embrace any faith or religion.

6. Recognize cultural diversity in the Sudan and enable the people to freely express their values.

7. Sharia, customs and beliefs shall be the sources for legislation in the Sudan.

However, States may enact legislation complementary to the federal laws in matters peculiar to those States.

8. Citizenship shall be the basis of rights and duties in furtherance to the values of justice, equality, freedom and human rights.

9. The two parties shall fully and effectively participate in all constitutional, political and executive institutions at all levels.

10. The two parties shall work together for the stability, reconstruction, rehabilitation and development in the war affected areas.

The support of the friendly and sisterly nations shall be sought to expedite the process.

11. After classification of the SPLA troops the two parties have agreed to form one national army, which will be deployed separately for a time to be agreed upon.

A technical committee will be established to work out the details.

12. The Sudan shall interact with African and Arab nations on the basis of its effective Sudanese identity for the benefit of the country and the world community at large.

13. Power and national wealth in the Sudan will be equitably shared between the citizens of the country, the details shall be worked out by the two parties.

14. The two parties have agreed on decentralization of the South and a coordinating council shall be formed between the Southern States according to their consent.

15. The two parties agreed to mobilize all Sudanese, particularly people from war affected areas to rally behind and support of the peace agreement.

16. The two parties have agreed that social development is an extreme priority for the achievement of which the state shall plan for confidence building and expedite the process of alleviation of poverty, ignorance mid illiteracy.

The State should also cater for provision of knowledge and satisfaction.

26 April 1995.

(signed)

For the Government of Sudan

1. [ no signature]

2. Lino Roll Deng

For the SPLA/M (United)

1. Arok Thon

2. Chol Deng