Terms of Reference for the Abyei Joint Committee

• Country/entity

  South Sudan
  Sudan
  Southern Kordofan - Blue Nile - Abyei
  
• Region

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

  Terms of Reference for the Abyei Joint Committee
• Date

  8 Sep 2011
• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed
• Interim arrangement

  Yes
• Agreement/conflict level

  Interstate/intrastate conflict(s) ( Sudan Conflicts (1955 - ) )
• Stage

  Implementation/renegotiation
• Conflict nature

  Government/territory
• Peace process

  Kordofan - Blue Nile - Abyei process
• Parties

  Signed by: Governor Omer Suleiman, Co-Chairman of the Government of Sudan; H.E. Deng Alor Kuol, for Co-Chairman of the Government of South Sudan
• Third parties

  Witnessed by: Mr. Boitshoko Mokgatlhe, African Union Facilitator to the AJOC; and Lt. Gen. Tadesse Tesfay, Force Commander, United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei.
• Description

  An agreement that includes a Joint Press Statement that informs on the launch of the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC), as well as the Terms of Reference for AJOC that were agreed upon during the initial AJOC meeting. Annex One provides for the Terms of Reference for the AJOC Secretariat, Annex Two provides for the Terms of Reference for the AJOC Executive Officers, and maps indicating redeployment timelines and plans are attached. Additionally, a Record of Decisions from the initial AJOC meeting is appended at the end of the agreement.

• Agreement document

  SD_110908_ToR for Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC).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

PRESS STATEMENT

Launch of Abyei Joint Oversight Committee

Addis Ababa, 8th September 2011:

Following the signing of the Temporary Arrangcrnents for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area on 20th June, 2011, rhe African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) convened an inaugural meeting of the Abyci Joint Oversight Committee (AJOC) in Addis Ababa.

The two-day meeting, which was launched by H.E. President Pierre Buyoya member of the AUHIP, was co-chaired by H.E. Omer Suleiman and H.E. Deng Alor Kuol representing the Government of Sudan and the Government of South Sudan respectively.

Ambassador Kuol Alor Kuol for South Sudan, and Brigadier Mohieldin Ahmed Elhadi for Sudan attended as members.

Mr. Boitshoko Mokgatlhe, representing the African Union Commission, and the UNISFA Force Commander, Lt Gen. Tadesse Tesfoy participated as the non-voting members.

The meeting adopted modalities for the work of the AJOC, which shall base its work in Ahyei to oversee the administration of the Abyei Arca and to take responsibility for security issues in particular.

After receiving a briefing from the Force Commander, the meeting agreed on a timetable for the redeployment of all forces out of the Abyei Area, to commence on the 11th September 2011 and to be completed by 30rh September 2011.

The members of the AJOC agreed, in their work, to keep in mind the interests of the local communities, especially as the planting and migration seasons arc due to commence soon.

Un behalf of the AUHIP, President Buyoya commended the two Governments for rhc successful launch of the AJOC and for taking the decisions necessary for implementing the Abyei Administration and Security Agreement.

The meeting agreed that the AJOC would convene its next meeting in Abyci Town on 15th September 2011.

H.E. Omar Suleiman, Co-Chair, AJOC

H.E. Deng Alor Kuol, for Co-Chair AJOC

Having held the first n1eeting of The Abyei Joint Oversight Committee (AJ OC) on 7rh and 8rh September, 2011 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the AJOC agreed to the following;

1. The Abyei Joint Oversight Committee Terms of Reference

• Annex One Terms of Reference for the AJOC Secretariat

• Annex Two Terms of Reference for the AJOC Executive Officers

2. Redeployment Plans for all Authorized Forces within Abyei

3. Draft Instrument on Security Related Functions

4. Record of decisions of the AJOC meeting of 8th September, 2011

Signed by

Governor Omer Suleiman,

Co-Chairman of the Government of Sudan

H.E Deng Alar Kuol

For Co-Chairman of the Government of South Sudan

Witnessed by

Mr. Boitshoko Mokgatlhe

African Union Facilitator to the AJOC

and

Lt. Gen. Tadesse Tesfay

Force Commander, United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei

Abyei Joint Oversight Committee

Terms of Reference

References:

• Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area dated 2oth June 2011.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

• Abyei protocol.

• PCA ruling.

Membership:

• Two members from each State (one from each nominated as Co-Chairs).

Only in exceptional circumstances can nominated AJOC member be represented by mandated alternatives.

• GoSS:

Nominated Members:

• Dr Luka Biong Deng.

• Cmde Edward Lino.

• GoS:

Nominated Members:

• Former Govenor Omar Suleiman.

• Brigadier Mohieldin AhmedElhadi.

• African Union - Non-voting member and facilitator.

• UNISFA Force commander- Non-voting member for security discussions.

• AJOC shall have a permanent secretariat and executive officers from both State based in Abyei.

Frequency:

• AJOC shall on a monthly basis.

TheStates may request the AJOC to meet more frequently, as required - in the initial stages daily or bi-weekly meeting may be required.

Reporting:

• AJOC shall make a monthly report to respective Presidents and when is necessary.

• AJOC call for a monthly briefings from the UNISFA Force Commander and be prepared to receive ad-hoe briefing as produced by the UNISFA Force Commander.

• AJOC shall call for a weekly report from the Abyei Executive Council (when formed) giving an overall picture of the situation in the Abyei Area, including security-related matters.

Functions/Execution:

• The AJOC shall exercise on behalf of the President of Sudan and the President of South Sudan, political and administrative oversight of the Executive Council.

The AJOC shall submit a monthly report to the President of Sudan and the President of South Sudan, for as long as the mechanism remains in place.

• The AJOC shall provide timely guidance and decisions to facilitate the timely and effective implementation of the various agreements as well as the establishment and sustainment of a stable and secure environment in Abyei.

• Decisions made by the AJOC shall be made by consensus.

• The Chairpersons shall be responsible for supervising compliance of the various administrative and operational structures, excluding UNISFA, as mandated in the agreements, serve as the final approval, on behalf of the two Presidents, for resolving disputes, making decisions and approving plans.

• The AJOC's meeting agenda will be prepared in draft by the AJOC secretariat for approval of the co-Chairs.

• The approved agenda will be circulated at least 7 days in advance of scheduled AJOC meetings.

• The Presidents may jointly direct the AJOC to deal with any matter relating to Abyei, including in the case of a deadlock in the Executive Council.

• In the case of a deadlock within the AJOC, the AJOC co-Chairs may refer any question to the Presidents for their guidance.

The opinions and recommendations of the non-voting member of the AJOC shall be forwarded along with the referral.

• The AJOC may direct the Executive Council or any official or committee of the Abyei Area to provide it with a report on any matter within its powers.

The AJOC may hold meetings with the Executive Council to discuss any matter within its mandate.

Standing Agenda for AJOC Monthly Meeting:

• Briefing from Force Commander on security of Abyei area.

• Report from Abyei Executive Council:

o Current Situation:

o Reconciliation:

o Development/Finance:

o Humanitarian planning:

• Migration and IDPs.

• AOB:

Administration/Finance of AJOC:

• The GoS and GoSS shall jointly finance the AJOC.

• AJOC meetings will be in Abyei or other locations mutually agreed by AJOC.

Annexes:

Annex 1:

Terms of Reference for the AJOC Secretariat

Annex 2:

Terms of Reference for the AJOC Executive Officers

Annex 1:

Terms of Reference for the AJOC Secretariat

Membership:

• Two administrative support personnel from each State.

Functions/Execution:

• The secretariat shall provide all administrative and logistical support to enable the AJOC to function.

• The secretariat shall be managed by the Executive Officers (Annex 2 outlines membership, functions and administration/finance for the Executive Officers).

• The secretariat shall file and maintain all official documents and correspondence.

• The secretariat shall facilitate the exchange of all official correspondence.

• The secretariat shall prepare minutes and all official reports and circulate them as directed by the AJOC.

• The secretariat shall prepare the agenda for all official meetings and after approval by the Co-chairs shall circulate to the members of the AJOC.

• The secretariat shall prepare, manage and maintain the AJOC administrative and logistical budget.

• The secretariat shall prepare and submit a monthly administrative.financial and logistical report to the AJOC.

• The secretariat shall coordinate and support all movement and travel of the AJOC.

• The secretariat shall be prepared to travel with and provide administrative and logistical support to the AJOC.

• The secretariat shall manage and maintain all AJOC facilities and equipment.

• The secretariat shall maintain at least one representative from each State on duty at all times.

Annex 2:

Terms of Reference for the AJOC Executive Officers

Membership:

• Each State shall nominate one representative to be assigned as Executive Officer.

Functions/Execution:

• The Executive Officers will serve as the point of contact in Abyei for AJOC.

• At least one Executive Officer shall be on duty at the AJOC office at all times during the absence of the AJOC co-chairs and members.

• The Executive Officers shall supervise the secretariat.

• The Executive Officers shall maintain a presence in the AJOC offices during duty hours and will provide emergency contact information during non-duty hours.

• The Executive Officers will receive reports, requests and calls on behalf of the AJOC.

• The Executive Officers shall provide periodic reports to the AJOC co-chairs of all activities, reports, requests and calls during their absence.

• The Executive Officers shall immediately notify and maintain contact with the AJOC Co-chairs in the event of an emergency.

• The Executive Officers do not have executive authority, only reporting authority.

• The Executive Officers shall assist the AJOC co-chairs and members as requested.

• The Executive Officers are authorized to convey instructions from the AJOC cochairs.

Administration/Finance:

• The Executive Officer pay level and schedule shall be determined by the AJOC.

Redeployment Plans for all Authorized Forces within Abyei

Timing of redeployment

[Contains a timetable matrix]

[Three pages contain maps]

Abyei Joint Oversight Committee

lnstrument No.1 of 2011

Instrument to Assign Security-related Functions to Abyei Executive Council

1. Pursuant to articles 6 and 14 of the Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area, 20th June 2011 (the Principal Agreement), the Abyei Joint Oversight Committee ("the Committee") hereby assigns to the Abyei Executive Council ("the Executive Council") certain functions relating to the management of security and stability in the Abyei Area ("the Area").

2. The Executive Council shall carry out the following functions on behalf of the Committee:

(a) liaising with the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei and other agencies operating within the Area;

(b) assisting with the recruitment of the Abyei Police Service;

(c) making preparations for the establishment of the special migration unit of the Abyei Police Service;

(d) developing of proposals for the management of security and stability aspects of migration;

(e) monitoring of civilian aspects of security and stability within the Area;

(f) making general recommendations and proposals for promoting security and stability in the Area;

(g) developing a work-plan for the fulfilment of the functions set out in this paragraph;

(h) implementation of security-related decisions taken by the Committee;

and,

(i) any other matter as shall be determined by the Committee.

3. The Executive Council shall submit to the Committee regular briefings and progress reports on the functions set out in paragraph 2 above and shall liaise regularly with the Executive Office of the Committee.

4. The Committee shall, pursuant to the Principal Agreement, retain overall responsibility and powers for supervising and promoting security and stability in the Area and shall take all the key decisions relating to this mandate.

5. This Instrument shall come into effect as soon as the Executive Council has been established and may be amended or revoked by the Committee.

Done by the Committee in ....... this ...... day of . .......

20 1 1.

Signed on behalf of the Committee by:

[Summary ABYEI JOINT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (AJOC) MEETING 8th SEPTEMBER 2011 ADDIS ABABA ETHIOPIA

RECORD OF DECISIONS:

Contains a table of decisions]