• Country/entity

  Yemen
  

• Region

  Middle East and North Africa
  

• Agreement name

  Ajmar Agreement

• Date

  4 Feb 2014

• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed

• Interim arrangement

  Yes

• Agreement/conflict level

  Intrastate/local conflict ( Yemeni Civil Wars (1994) (2011 - ) )

• Stage

  Ceasefire/related

• Conflict nature

  Inter-group

• Peace process

  Yemen Inter-group Agreements

• Parties

  Signed by the two parties in the Ajmar Nayābita area by Sheikhs of Bani Sarīm Hāshid including Sheikh Ālī Hamīd Jalaydān, Sheikh ‘Adel Hamūd ‘Ataf and other elders, in addition to Ansar Allah representatives and in the presence of dignitaries of Hamdān municipality.

• Third parties

  -

• Description

  Short agreement negotiating an end to tensions between Ansar Allah and the Bani Sarim Tribe in Amran. Ansar Allah commit to not undertake military operations in the areas of the Bani Sarim, meanwhile, the Bani Sarim must secure the roads, not prevent of object to the activities of Ansar Allah. The authenticity of the agreement was originally disputed by one of the signatories, Sheikh Ali Jalaydan. However, in later interviews with Shiekh Amin al-Ataf, the Shiekh confirmed the existence of the Ajmar Agreement, which was broken by Ansar Allah quickly after signing.

• Agreement document

  YE_140204_Ajmar Agreement_EN.pdf | Download PDF

• Agreement document (original language)

  YE_140204_Ajmar Agreement_AR.pdf | Download PDF

Local agreement properties

• Process type

  Informal but persistent process
  

• Rationale

  There is a clear expression of mutual respect for cultural values and religious expression in this agreement which is prevalent in local agreements. There are also provisions which outline the requirement for sheikhs and elders to ensure the implementation of the agreement which tends to be a commonly accepted local practice. Furthermore, societal notables or 'dignitaries' from Hamdān district, which is in the Sana'a governorate, are described as being present at the signing. This should be considered as a form of witnessing but not mediation.

• Is there a documented link to a national peace process?

  No

• Link to national process: articulated rationale

  There is no clear reference in the text to the national process and no further apparent structural links based on further research.

• Name of Locale

  Bani Sarim, 'Amran governorate

• Nature Of Locale

  Region

• GPS Lat/Long (DD)

  15.664332, 43.933941

• Participant type

  Local armed group
  

• Mediator, facilitator or similar

  No mention of mediator or similar

Local issues

Pa-X P

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Ajmar Agreement (The Black Line Agreement)

[Preface missing from translation]

First – They [the Bani Sarīm] and Ansar Allah will live in brotherhood, peace and harmony, and a life of cooperation, loyalty and respect.

Second – Ansar Allah commit to not undertake military aggression in the areas [of Bani Sarīm] and will reassure them of such.

Third – It is up to the sheikhs and elders of Bani Sarīm to secure the roads in their area from any disruption or assault.

Fourth – The mujahideen will not allow for any evil in the country [of Bani Sarīm] and they [the Bani Sarīm] will not rise up against the mujahidin.

Fifth – The sheikhs and elders of Bani Sarīm commit not to attack those that join the Quranic Rally in their country, or their children, and will have faith in itself, its land and its wealth.

Sixth – They [Bani Sarīm] wil not object to the peaceful cultural activity of Ansar Allah in their area – [that] like anyone else, [operates] in a peaceful and voluntary framework.

Allah is the Conciliator

Signed 4 February 2014