Liliir Covenant between the Anyuak, Dinka, Jie, Kachipo, Murle and Nuer who attended the East Bank People-to-People Peace and Reconciliation Conference in Liliir, Bor County, Upper Nile, Sudan

  • Country/entity
    South Sudan
  • Region
    Africa (excl MENA)
  • Agreement name
    Liliir Covenant between the Anyuak, Dinka, Jie, Kachipo, Murle and Nuer who attended the East Bank People-to-People Peace and Reconciliation Conference in Liliir, Bor County, Upper Nile, Sudan
  • Date
    15 May 2000
  • Agreement status
    Multiparty signed/agreed
  • Interim arrangement
    Yes
  • Agreement/conflict level
    Intrastate/local conflict ( Sudan Conflicts (1955 - ) )
  • Stage
    Framework/substantive - partial
  • Conflict nature
    Inter-group
  • Peace process
    South Sudan: Pre-secession Local Peace Processes
  • Parties
    A gathering of traditional and civil leaders was convened in Liliir (Bor, county), to reconcile the differences and conflicts between the Anyuak, Dinka (Bor & Padang), Jie, Kachipo, Murle (Boma) and Nuer (Gawaar & Lou)
  • Third parties
    Under the facilitation of the NSCC
  • Description
    Traditional and civil leaders met in Liliir (Bor, county), to reconcile the differences and conflicts between the Anyuak, Dinka (Bor & Padang), Jie, Kachipo, Murle (Boma) and Nuer (Gawaar & Lou). Agreement calls an amnesty, return of abductees, freedom of movement, that cross border arrangements are adhered to, good governance, human rights, respect for police, and the return of displaced peoples. Agreement mentions an appendix that was not attached.

Local agreement properties

  • Process type
    Formal structured process
  • Rationale
    This agreement is part of a wider 'People-to-People process' facilitated by the New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC) that led to the signing of other accords prior to and after this agreement.
  • Is there a documented link to a national peace process?
    No
  • Link to national process: articulated rationale
    This agreement is not technically linked to the national process between the government in Khartoum and South Sudanese opposition forces, but it is worth noting that this agreement builds on the Wunlit agreement of 8 March 1999 which helped to pave the way for a rapproachment between John Garang and Riek Machar's factions (e.g. see Machakos Protocol, 2002).
  • Name of Locale
    Upper Nile
  • Nature Of Locale
    Region
  • GPS Lat/Long (DD)
    6.191930, 31.570673
  • Participant type
    Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder
    Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations
  • Mediator, facilitator or similar
    Mediator or similar referred to
    Mediator (references)
    Mediator and facilitator: New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC)
    Type of mediator/facilitator/similar
    Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder

Local issues

  • Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)
    Page 1, ... The spirit of the conference was reflected at the opening by the ceremonial sacrifice of a 'White Bull', and concluded with the declaration of a joint covenant between the represented ethnic groups. The covenant was sealed with the sacrifice of a 'White Ox', the offering of Christian worship, and the signatures of each of the participating delegates and observers, publicly recorded.
  • Grievance List
    Pages 1-2, Recalling the spirit and wisdom handed down from our ancestors, and the memory of our daughters and sons who have unnecessarily died over the past 10 years, we pledge ourselves to observe and implement this covenant and its accompanying resolutions.
    ...
    all traditional hostilities will cease among us, and that all military (and militia) groups are to respect the civilian population and abide by, and protect, this covenant;
    ...
    an amnesty will be upheld for all offences against our people and their property prior to the conference, in the spirit of reconciliation and unity. The amnesty takes effect from this date;
    all abducted women and children are freely returned to their places of origin, and where necessary, marriage customs are fulfilled;
    ...
    we will advocate on behalf of our sisters and brothers who have been scattered and displaced, especially those from the Bor area, for their return to their homeland with the encouragement and co-operation of their communities, leaders and civil authorities of origin.
  • Cattle rustling/banditry

    No specific mention.

  • Social cover

    No specific mention.

LILIIR COVENANT between the ANYUAK, DINKA, JIE, KACHIPO, MURLE AND NUER who attended the EAST BANK PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE PEACE & RECONCILIATION CONFERENCE in LILIIR, BOR COUNTY, UPPER NILE, SUDAN

(May 9th to the 15th, 2000)

A gathering of traditional and civil leaders was convened in Liliir (Bor, county), to reconcile the differences and conflicts between the Anyuak, Dinka (Bor & Padang), Jie, Kachipo, Murle (Boma) and Nuer (Gawaar & Lou), and to establish harmony and peace amongst themselves.

The spirit of the conference was reflected at the opening by the ceremonial sacrifice of a 'White Bull', and concluded with the declaration of a joint covenant between the represented ethnic groups.

The covenant was sealed with the sacrifice of a 'White Ox', the offering of Christian worship, and the signatures of each of the participating delegates and observers, publicly recorded.

The following outlines their covenant:

"Under the facilitation of the NSCC, and witnessed by many church leaders and other citizens of Sudan, we, the delegates of the Liliir conference have established a covenant of peace and reconciliation between us.

We declare our intention today to cease from hostile acts, and commit ourselves to the practical measures necessary to ensure the integrity and sustainability of our agreement.

Recalling the spirit and wisdom handed down from our ancestors, and the memory of our daughters and sons who have unnecessarily died over the past 10 years, we pledge ourselves to observe and implement this covenant and its accompanying resolutions.

We have unanimously agreed that:

all traditional hostilities will cease among us, and that all military (and militia) groups are to respect the civilian population and abide by, and protect, this covenant;

the conditions necessary to foster local peace and development are brought about by our communities and leaders, and the provision of basic essential services for the people are made available and improved;

an amnesty will be upheld for all offences against our people and their property prior to the conference, in the spirit of reconciliation and unity.

The amnesty takes effect from this date;

- all abducted women and children are freely returned to their places of origin, and where necessary, marriage customs are fulfilled;

- freedom of movement across our common borders is upheld, and trade and communication is encouraged and supported;

- all cross border agreements are respected and the authority of the border chiefs and police patrols are justly observed;

- access to common areas for grazing, fishing and water points will be regulated and shared peacefully among us;

- we will demand good governance from our leaders for the achievement of unity and the observance of human rights;

- we will advocate on behalf of our sisters and brothers who have been scattered and displaced, especially those from the Bor area, for their return to their homeland with the encouragement and co-operation of their communities, leaders and civil authorities of origin.

In conclusion, we appeal that the people from Upper Nile who were either blocked or did not have an opportunity to participate in the conference be told about our deliberations and be encouraged to meet with us in the near future so that the East Bank peoples' peace process can be widened and deepened.

This covenant reflects the will of the people represented at Liliir.

It incorporates the resolutions of the conference (attached), and we urge that they be implemented with the full assistance and protection of the civil authorities under all of the southern liberation movements.

We hope that the friends of Upper Nile will support our efforts and consolidate our desire for peace."