Ajmar Agreement

  • 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.

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

  • Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)
    Page 1, Untitled Preamble: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

    Page 1, 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.

    Page 1, Allah is the Conciliator
  • Grievance List
    [Summary] (1) For the two parties to be able to live and co-exist in peace, with no objection to the peaceful cultural expressions or activities of Ansar Allah or any other group in the area (2) No further acts of military aggression from Ansar Allah in the areas that the agreement prescribes for (3) Roads must be secured by elders and sheikhs (4) Those who choose to join the Quranic cause in the country must not be attacked by the sheikhs or elders of the area
  • Cattle rustling/banditry

    No specific mention.

  • Social cover

    No specific mention.

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