Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement on the Conflict in Darfur

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Country/entity: Sudan
Darfur
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement on the Conflict in Darfur
Date: 8 Apr 2004
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate 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: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Darfur-Sudan peace process
Parties: For the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A): Mini Arkou Minawi, Secretary General; For the Government of the Sudan (GOS): Acherif Ahmad Oumar Badour, Minister for Investment; For the Sudanese Justice and Equality Movement (SJEM): Nasradine Hussein Diffallah, President
Third parties: [Note: Preamble also mentions that agreement was under the auspices of Idriss Deby, President of the Republic of Chad assisted by the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union]

For the Tchadian Mediation: Nagoum Yamassoum, Minister of State, Minstry of Foreign Affairs and African Integration; For the African Union: Sam B. Ibok, Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission; Mahamat Saleh Hamid, Deputy Secretary General
Description: An agreement by the parties to establish a temporary cessation of hostilities, and to commit to future dialogue to achieve a sustainable settlement for Darfur. Appendix incorporates Protocol on Establishing a Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur, with supporting principles and specific provisions regarding the humanitarian assistance. The Agreement and its Appendix are later incorporated into the Darfur Peace Agreement.

Agreement document: SD_040408_Humanitarian Ceasefire Agmt on Darfur.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

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: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Anti-discrimination
Page 5, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
Article 2: Impartiality Principle - Humanitarian assistance is provided regardless of ethnic origin, gender, nationality opinions, race or religions. Assistance to victims will be guided only by urgent distress cases.
Religious groups: Groups→Religious groups→Anti-discrimination
Page 5, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
Article 2: Impartiality Principle - Humanitarian assistance is provided regardless of ethnic origin, gender, nationality opinions, race or religions. Assistance to victims will be guided only by urgent distress cases.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Rhetorical
Page 3, Humanitarian Questions, Article 8
The parties undertake to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the creation of conditions favorable to supplying emergency relief to the displaced persons and other civilian victims of war and this, wherever they are in the DARFUR region, in accordance with the appendix attached to the present Agreement;

Page 5, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
Principles - The concept and execution of the humanitarian assistance in Darfur will be conform to the international principles with a view to guarantee that it will be credible, transparent, and inclusive and notably: the 1949 Geneva convention and its two 1977 International Convention on Civil and Public Rights, the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees, the Rector Principles on Internal Displacement (Deng Principle) and the provisions of General Assembly Resolution 46/182.

Page 6, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - Article 10: Return of the displaced and refugees
The Parties will facilitate the return of the refugees and the displaced to their origin communities on a voluntary basis and under security and dignity conditions. They will put in place adequate protections measures and their property will be restored or their losses compensated.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: Page 5, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
Article 2: Impartiality Principle - Humanitarian assistance is provided regardless of ethnic origin, gender, nationality opinions, race or religions. Assistance to victims will be guided only by urgent distress cases.
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, Humanitarian Questions, Article 2
... During the cease-fire, each party shall:
... -Stop any restriction on the movement of goods and people;]]

Page 5, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
Article 3: Neutrality Principle - Humanitarian assistance will be provided by humanitarian agencies without taking sides on political, religious agencies without taking sides on political, religion or ideological basis. All the parties admit the neutrality of assistance and protection.

Page 5, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
Article 5: Transparency Principle - The humanitarian agencies will work on a transparent and apolitical basis. Information will be openly shared. There wil be in particular a regular flow of information from the humanitarian agencies to the authorities assistance, their personnel and materials clearly identifiable by the parties, who will respect the emblems.

Page 6, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - The operational criteria for setting up humanitarian assistance programmes to be observed and respected by the humanitarian agencies include:
Article 7: Unrestricted Access - The parties guarantee the freedom of movement to the personnel participating in assistance activities, including evaluation of needs, humanitarian assistance distribution and follow-up, that will help to reach people in need of humanitarian assistance without delay. The Government of the Republic of Sudan will, particularly, facilitate the humanitarian personnel to, from and within Darfur.

Page 6, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
... The parties undertake to respect the above principles and provisions, and will work in cooperation with the humanitarian assistance agencies to facilitate the establishment of humanitarian assistance in Darfur.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
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 1, Political Preamble
Convinced of the necessity of the establishment in Darfur of a democratic political culture to guarantee to the populations of the region their political, economic and social rights;

Page 5, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
Article 1: Humanity Principle - Human sufferings will be taken into account wherever they are found; rights of all vulnerable persons will be respected and protected. The rights to receive humanitarian assistance and protection, and to provide it, is fundamental.

Page 5, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
Article 2: Impartiality Principle - Humanitarian assistance is provided regardless of ethnic origin, gender, nationality opinions, race or religions. Assistance to victims will be guided only by urgent distress cases.

Page 5, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
Article 3: Neutrality Principle - Humanitarian assistance will be provided by humanitarian agencies without taking sides on political, religious agencies without taking sides on political, religion or ideological basis. All the parties admit the neutrality of assistance and protection.

Page 5, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
Article 5: Transparency Principle - The humanitarian agencies will work on a transparent and apolitical basis. Information will be openly shared. There wil be in particular a regular flow of information from the humanitarian agencies to the authorities assistance, their personnel and materials clearly identifiable by the parties, who will respect the emblems.

Page 6, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - Article 9: protection
The parties will take the necessary protection measures to ensure that the beneficiaries of humanitarian assistance be not deprived of the assistance they receive nor be subject to attacks.

Page 6, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
... The parties undertake to respect the above principles and provisions, and will work in cooperation with the humanitarian assistance agencies to facilitate the establishment of humanitarian assistance in Darfur.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: Page 5, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
Principles - The concept and execution of the humanitarian assistance in Darfur will be conform to the international principles with a view to guarantee that it will be credible, transparent, and inclusive and notably: the 1949 Geneva convention and its two 1977 International Convention on Civil and Public Rights, the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees, the Rector Principles on Internal Displacement (Deng Principle) and the provisions of General Assembly Resolution 46/182.
Civil and political rights: Human rights and equality→Civil and political rights→Equality
Page 5, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
Article 2: Impartiality Principle - Humanitarian assistance is provided regardless of ethnic origin, gender, nationality opinions, race or religions. Assistance to victims will be guided only by urgent distress cases.
Human rights and equality→Civil and political rights→Liberty and security of person
Page 5, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
Article 4: Dignity Principle - The right of any person to live in security and dignity will be affirmed and protected.
Human rights and equality→Civil and political rights→Freedom of movement
Page 6, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - The operational criteria for setting up humanitarian assistance programmes to be observed and respected by the humanitarian agencies include:
Article 7: Unrestricted Access - The parties guarantee the freedom of movement to the personnel participating in assistance activities, including evaluation of needs, humanitarian assistance distribution and follow-up, that will help to reach people in need of humanitarian assistance without delay. The Government of the Republic of Sudan will, particularly, facilitate the humanitarian personnel to, from and within Darfur.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: Page 1, Political Preamble
Convinced of the necessity of the establishment in Darfur of a democratic political culture to guarantee to the populations of the region their political, economic and social rights;
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Media roles
Page 1, Political Preamble
3. The parties undertake to create a conducive environment for negotiations and to cease all hostile media campaigns.

Page 2, Humanitarian Questions, Article 2
The cessation of hostilities between all the forces of the parties will be effective 72 hours after the signing of this Agreement. During the cease-fire, each party shall:
-Stop any form of hostile act, including hostile propaganda;
Mobility/access: Page 2, Humanitarian Questions, Article 1
The Parties decide on the cessation of hostilities between them and specifically proclaim a cease-fire for a period of 45 days automatically renewable except if opposed by one of the parties. The ceasefire will be effective on land, and air, to allow on one hand, a fast and unrestricted humanitarian access to the needs populations of Darfur and on the other hand, to arrive at a just and durable solution to the problem in Darfur;
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: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
Page 1, Political Preamble
2. The parties agree to meet under the auspices of the Tchadian mediator in a period not exceeding two weeks, to negotiate a definitive settlement of the conflict and to discuss solutions to the problems of Darfur, with a view to finding a definite and global settlement in the framework of a conference between all the representatives of Darfur, especially in relation to its socio-economic development.
Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
Page 2, Humanitarian Questions, Article 1
The Parties decide on the cessation of hostilities between them and specifically proclaim a cease-fire for a period of 45 days automatically renewable except if opposed by one of the parties. The ceasefire will be effective on land, and air, to allow on one hand, a fast and unrestricted humanitarian access to the needs populations of Darfur and on the other hand, to arrive at a just and durable solution to the problem in Darfur;

Page 3, Humanitarian Questions, Article 8
The parties undertake to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the creation of conditions favorable to supplying emergency relief to the displaced persons and other civilian victims of war and this, wherever they are in the DARFUR region, in accordance with the appendix attached to the present Agreement;

Page 6, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - The operational criteria for setting up humanitarian assistance programmes to be observed and respected by the humanitarian agencies include:
Article 7: Unrestricted Access - The parties guarantee the freedom of movement to the personnel participating in assistance activities, including evaluation of needs, humanitarian assistance distribution and follow-up, that will help to reach people in need of humanitarian assistance without delay. The Government of the Republic of Sudan will, particularly, facilitate the humanitarian personnel to, from and within Darfur.

Page 6, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - Article 10: Return of the displaced and refugees
The Parties will facilitate the return of the refugees and the displaced to their origin communities on a voluntary basis and under security and dignity conditions. They will put in place adequate protections measures and their property will be restored or their losses compensated.

Page 6, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
...The parties undertake to respect the above principles and provisions, and will work in cooperation with the humanitarian assistance agencies to facilitate the establishment of humanitarian assistance in Darfur.
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: Land, property and environment→Land reform/rights→Property return and restitution
Page 6, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - Article 10: Return of the displaced and refugees
The Parties will facilitate the return of the refugees and the displaced to their origin communities on a voluntary basis and under security and dignity conditions. They will put in place adequate protections measures and their property will be restored or their losses compensated.
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: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 1, Political Preamble
3. The parties undertake to create a conducive environment for negotiations and to cease all hostile media campaigns.

Page 2, Humanitarian Questions, Article 1
The Parties decide on the cessation of hostilities between them and specifically proclaim a cease-fire for a period of 45 days automatically renewable except if opposed by one of the parties. The ceasefire will be effective on land, and air, to allow on one hand, a fast and unrestricted humanitarian access to the needs populations of Darfur and on the other hand, to arrive at a just and durable solution to the problem in Darfur;

Page 2, Humanitarian Questions, Article 2
The cessation of hostilities between all the forces of the parties will be effective 72 hours after the signing of this Agreement. During the cease-fire, each party shall:
-Refrain from any recruitment operations;
-Refrain from any military action, and any reconnaissance operations
-Disengage and refrain from any deployment, movement or action which could extend the territory under its control or which could lead to a resumption of hostilities;
-Stop laying landmines; mark and sign post any danger areas and mine fields;
-Refrain from supplying or acquiring arms and ammunitions;
-Stop any act of sabotage;
-Stop any restriction on the movement of goods and people;
-Stop any form of hostile act, including hostile propaganda;
-Ensure humanitarian access;
-Refrain from any military activity which, from the opinion of the cease-fire Commission or the Joint Commission, could endanger the cease-fire;

Page 2, Humanitarian Questions, Article 3
The parties shall establish a Cease-fire Commission composed of 2 high ranking officers from the Parties, the Tchadian mediation and the international community in accordance with the sovereignty of the Sudan.

Page 2, Humanitarian Questions, Article 4
The mandate of the ceasefire Commission shall consist of:
-planning, verifying and ensuring the implementation of the rules and provisions of the cease-fire;

Page 3, Humanitarian Questions, Article 4
The mandate of the ceasefire Commission shall consist of:
-defining the routes for the movement of forces in order to reduce the risks of incidents; the administrative movements shall be notified to the Cease-Fire commission;
-assist with demining operations;
-receiving, verifying, analyzing and judging complaints related to the possible violations of the cease fire;
-developing adequate measures to guard against such incidents in the future violations;
-the parties shall provide the head of the Ceasefire Commission, or his designated representative, immediately upon request information required for the implementation of this Agreement on the understanding that the information will be held confidentially;
-the parties shall give Ceasefire Commission and its personnel unrestricted access throughout Darfur;
-Determine clearly, the sites occupied by the combatants of the armed oppositions and verify the neutralization of the armed militias.

Page 3, Humanitarian Questions, Article 4
... The Cease Fire Commission shall report to a Joint Commission composed of the parties, the Tchadian mediation and the international community.

Page 3, Humanitarian Questions, Article 7
The parties have agreed to meet as soon as possible under the auspices of the Tchadian mediation and the international community to discuss pending points, notably about setting up the JOint Commission and the Cease fire Commission mentioned in article 3 and 4 of the present agreements;

Page 3, Humanitarian Questions, Article 9
In the case of non-respect of the clauses of this Agreement by one of the Parties, the other party will refer such a case to the Cease Fire Commission and if necessary the Joint Commission;

Page 4, Humanitarian Questions, Article 10
This Agreement can be amended by agreement of the parties with the consent of the Cease Fire Commission. The Parties may agree to renew this Agreement for an additional 45 days not later than 21 days before the expiry of the Agreement. Any Party may notify the Cease-Fire-Commission of its intention for renewal and if the parties agree, this Agreement shall be extended for an additional two-months period;

Page 6, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - Article 8: Security
the parties affirm that they will fulfil their obligation to provide a security environment favourable to set up humanitarian assistance and protect national and international humanitarian personnel, as well as the equipment and material belonging to the humanitarian agencies.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 3, Humanitarian Questions, Article 6
The parties shall ensure that all armed groups under their control comply with this Agreement. The Sudanese Government shall commit itself to neutralize the armed militias.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
Page 3, Humanitarian Questions, Article 4
The mandate of the ceasefire Commission shall consist of:
...
-assist with demining operations;
[...]
-Determine clearly, the sites occupied by the combatants of the armed oppositions and verify the neutralization of the armed militias.

Page 3, Humanitarian Questions, Article 6
The parties shall ensure that all armed groups under their control comply with this Agreement. The Sudanese Government shall commit itself to neutralize the armed militias.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 3, Humanitarian Questions, Article 4
The mandate of the ceasefire Commission shall consist of:
...
-Determine clearly, the sites occupied by the combatants of the armed oppositions and verify the neutralization of the armed militias.

Page 3, Humanitarian Questions, Article 6
The parties shall ensure that all armed groups under their control comply with this Agreement. The Sudanese Government shall commit itself to neutralize the armed militias.

~

Page 3, Humanitarian Questions, Article 4
The mandate of the ceasefire Commission shall consist of:
...
-Determine clearly, the sites occupied by the combatants of the armed oppositions and verify the neutralization of the armed militias.

Page 3, Humanitarian Questions, Article 6
The parties shall ensure that all armed groups under their control comply with this Agreement. The Sudanese Government shall commit itself to neutralize the armed militias.
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: Page 3, Humanitarian Questions, Article 5
The parties have decided to free all the prisoners of war and all other persons detained because of the armed conflict in Darfur;
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: Page 3, Humanitarian Questions, Article 8
The parties undertake to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the creation of conditions favorable to supplying emergency relief to the displaced persons and other civilian victims of war and this, wherever they are in the DARFUR region, in accordance with the appendix attached to the present Agreement;

Page 5, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur
Article 2: Impartiality Principle - Humanitarian assistance is provided regardless of ethnic origin, gender, nationality opinions, race or religions. Assistance to victims will be guided only by urgent distress cases.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: Transitional justice→Reparations→Material reparations
Page 6, (Attached Appendix) Protocol on Establishing Humanitarian Assistance in Darfur, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS - Article 10: Return of the displaced and refugees
The Parties will facilitate the return of the refugees and the displaced to their origin communities on a voluntary basis and under security and dignity conditions. They will put in place adequate protections measures and their property will be restored or their losses compensated.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: For the Tchadian Mediation: Nagoum Yamassoum, Minister of State, Minstry of Foreign Affairs and African Integration; For the African Union: Sam B. Ibok, Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission; Mahamat Saleh Hamid, Deputy Secretary General
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: UN Peacemaker
http://peacemaker.un.org
http://peacemaker.un.org/sudan-darfur-humanitarian2004

HUMANITARIAN CEASE FIRE AGREEMENT ON THE CONFLICT IN DARFUR

Under the auspices of His Excellency Idriss Deby, President of the Republic of Chad, Head of State, assisted by the Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union, and in the presence of International Observers and Facilitators, The Government of the Republic of Sudan, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and the Sudan Justice and Equality Movement;

hereinafter, known as the Parties, have agreed on the following:

Political Preamble

Convinced of the necessity of the establishment in Darfur of a democratic political culture to guarantee to the populations of the region their political, economic and social rights;

Convinced that only a global, just and durable solution negotiated peacefully can resolve the problems in Darfur;

Convinced that a mechanism for a political solution should be envisaged as soon as possible;

1. The parties undertake to join their efforts in order to establish a global and definite peace in Darfur;

2. The parties agree to meet under the auspices of the Tchadian mediator in a period not exceeding two weeks, to negotiate a definitive settlement of the conflict and to discuss solutions to the problems of Darfur, with a view to finding a definite and global settlement in the framework of a conference between all the representatives of Darfur, especially in relation to its socio-economic development.

3. The parties undertake to create a conducive environment for negotiations and to cease all hostile media campaigns.

Humanitarian Questions

- Agreeing on the fact that any peaceful and durable settlement of the problem of Darfur can be achieved only through frank and sincere dialogue,

- Determined to give up the use of force as means of settling the problem of Darfur,

Article 1:

The parties decide on the cessation of hostilities between them and specifically proclaim a cease-fire for a period of 45 days automatically renewable except if opposed by one of the parties.

The ceasefire will be effective on land, and air, to allow on one hand, a fast and unrestricted humanitarian access to the needy populations of Darfur and on the other hand, to arrive at a just and durable solution to the problem of Darfur;

Article 2:

The cessation of hostilities between all the forces of the parties will be effective 72 hours after the signing of the Agreement.

During the cease-fire, each party shall:

- Refrain from any recruitment operations;

- refrain from any military action, and any reconnaissance operations

- disengage and refrain from any deployment, movement or action which could extend the territory under its control or which could lead to a resumption of hostilities;

- Stop laying landmines;

mark and sign post any danger areas and mine fields;

- Refrain from supplying or acquiring arms and ammunitions;

- Refrain from any act of violence or any other abuse on civilian populations;

- Stop any act of sabotage;

- Stop any restriction on the movement of goods and people;

- Stop any form of hostile act, including hostile propaganda;

- Ensure humanitarian access;

- Refrain from any military activity which, from the opinion of the cease-fire Commission or the Joint Commission, could endanger the cease-fire;

Article 3:

The parties shall establish a Cease-fire Commission composed of 2 high ranking officers from the Parties, the Tchadian mediation and the international community in accordance with the sovereignty of the Sudan.

Article 4:

The mandate of the cease fire Commission shall consist of:

- planning, verifying and ensuring the implementation of the rules and provisions of the cease fire;

defining the routes for the movement of force in order to reduce the risks of incidents;

The administrative movements shall be notified to the Cease-Fire commission.

- assist with demining operations;

- receiving, verifying, analyzing, and judging complaints related to the possible violations of the cease fire;

- developing adequate measures to guard against such incidents in the future violations

- the parties shall provide the head of the Ceasefire Commission, or his designated representative, immediately upon request information required for the implementation of the Agreement on the understanding that the information will be held confidentially.

- the parties shall give Ceasefire Commission and its personnel unrestricted access throughout Darfur;

- Determine clearly, the sites occupied by the combatants of the armed opposition and verify the neutralization of the armed militias.

The Cease Fire Commission shall report to a Joint Commission composed of the parties, the Tchadian mediation and the international community.

Article 5:

The parties have decided to free all the prisoners of war and all other persons detained because of the armed conflict in Darfur;

Article 6:

The parties shall ensure that all armed groups under their control comply with this Agreement.

The Sudanese Government shall commit itself to neutralize the armed militias.

Article 7 The parties have agreed to meet as soon as possible under the auspices of the Tchadian mediation and the international community to discuss pending points, notably about setting up the Joint Commission and the Cease fire Commission mentioned in article 3 and 4 of the present agreement;

Article 8:

The parties undertake to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the creation of conditions favorable to supplying emergency relief to the displaced persons and other civilian victims of war and this, wherever they are in the DARFUR region, in accordance with the appendix attached to the present Agreement;

Article 9:

In case of non respect of the clauses of this Agreement by one of the Parties, the other party will refer such a case to the Cease Fire Commission and if necessary the Joint Commission;

Article 10:

This Agreement can be amended by agreement of the parties with the consent of the Cease Fire Commission.

The parties may agree to renew this Agreement for an additional 45 days not later than 21 days before the expiry of the Agreement.

Any Party may notify the Cease-Fire Commission of its intention for renewal and if the parties agree, this Agreement shall be extended for an additional two months period;

Article 11:

The Agreement shall take effect as from its date of signature.

It is drafted in Arabic, in French and in English, all three texts being equally authentic.

Done at N’djamena, this 8th Day of April, 2004.

For the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army For the Government of the Sudan

(SLM/A) (GOS)

…...................................................

ACHERIF AHMAD OUMAR BADOUR Minister for Investment

......................................

MINI ARKOU MINAWI

Secretary General

For the Sudanese Justice and Equality Movement For the Tchadian Mediation

(SJEM)

…..................................................................... …...........................................

NASRADINE HUSSEIN DIFFALLAH NAGOUM YAMASSOUM

President Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

and African Integration

For the African Union

….....................................................................

MAHAMAT SALEH HAMID

…..............................................

SAM B. IBOK

Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission