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

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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 - )
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: 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.

Agreement document: SS_000515_LILIIR COVENANT.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

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."

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

Local agreement properties

Local issues

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