Agreement on the Demands of the Equatoria Non-Allied Force (ENAF) Yei State Government NSS/ISB and EPC Peace Desk and Communique

  • Country/entity
    South Sudan
  • Region
    Africa (excl MENA)
  • Agreement name
    Agreement on the Demands of the Equatoria Non-Allied Force (ENAF) Yei State Government NSS/ISB and EPC Peace Desk and Communique
  • Date
    18 Feb 2019
  • 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: Post-secession Local agreements
  • Parties
    Main Agreement:
    The Transitional Government of the Republic of South Sudan led by Maj. Gen Joseph Buong Anyardit
    The Equitoria Non-Allied Force led by Maj. Gen. Yanga Moses Yona

    Communiqué:
    The Transitional Government of the Republic of South Sudan led by Maj. Gen Joseph Buong Anyardit
    The Equitoria Non-Allied Force led by Maj. Gen. Yanga Moses Yona
  • Third parties
    Main Agreement:
    Arch-Bishop Elias Taban Parangi
    Hon Emmanuel Adil Anthony

    Communiqué
    Arch-Bishop Elias Taban Parangi
  • Description
    Areement between the government of South Sudan and the ENAF, a breakaway faction of the National Salvation Front (NAS) in the Yei River State, with ceasefire and power-sharing provisions, as well as guarantees of the return of IDPs. It comes in two parts: the main agreement, and the supplemental communiqué to the government,.

Local agreement properties

  • Process type
    Formal structured process
  • Rationale
    This peace process was supported by the EPC Peace Desk and the South Sudanese government and local state actors have previously signed peace agreements with opposition parties in Yei River State.
  • Is there a documented link to a national peace process?
    Yes
  • Link to national process: articulated rationale
    This agreement was concluded between a delegation of the South Sudanese government and the ENAF that defected from one of the parties of the macro South Sudanese conflict (National Salvation Front). According to a secondary source, a representative of the ENAF said that the group would 'support for the revitalized peace agreement', the national-level peace agreement (Sudan Tribune, 2019).
  • Name of Locale
    Yei River State, particularly greater Lainya and Yei
  • Nature Of Locale
    Region
  • GPS Lat/Long (DD)
    4.091976, 30.676688
  • Participant type
    Central state actor
    Local armed group
    Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder
    Regional state actor
  • Mediator, facilitator or similar
    Mediator or similar referred to
    Mediator (references)
    Mediator: ARCH - Bishop Elias Taban Parangi, The Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) Peace Desk Yei River State - South Sudan
    Type of mediator/facilitator/similar
    Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder

Local issues

  • Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)

    No specific mention.

  • Grievance List
    Page 9, Preamble, Driven by our deep commitment and concern to end the suffering of our citizens in Yei River State in particular and South Sudan in general;
    Mindful of the tragic conditions facing thousands of our people in refugee and Internal Displaced Camps;
  • Cattle rustling/banditry

    No specific mention.

  • Social cover

    No specific mention.

YEI RIVER STATE

GRASSROOT PEACE AGREEMENT

Between

The Transitional Government of the Republic of South Sudan

(First Party)

And

The Equitoria Non-Allied Force

(Second Party)

Signed 18th February, 2019

Yei River State,

Republic of South Sudan

Compiled by:

Hon. Denis LaSuba Paul

Secretary General

EPC Peace Desk

Yei-South Sudan

Introduction of EPC Peace Desk:

The conflict situation in Yei River State continues to remain active with pockets of armed resistance in some parts of greater Lainya and Yei according to Equatoria Non Alliance Force (ENAF) members who have come out to partake in a grassroots Peace initiative that is mediated by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) Peace Desk at the auspices of Arch Bishop Elias Taban Parangi.

ENAF who defected from the National Salvation Front (NAS) added that NAS is still fighting against other signatories of the Revitalized Peace Agreement particularly in Yei.

And at the same time, the Joint Defence Board has chosen Yei River State as a training site for the unification national army of the government of South Sudan.

It is based on this background that the EPC Peace Desk deems it necessary to continue engagement of the sons of Yei River State who are still at large to heed to the call of reason and accept Peace which has produced the output of the ENAF Agreement.

Hon. Denis L. Paul

Secretary General,

EPC Peace Desk

Yei, South Sudan.

Government of South Sudan Representatives and ENAF Peace participants

THE PREAMBLE

Whereas, the delegation of the government of the Republic of South Sudan (GRSS) led by Maj.

Gen Joseph Buong Anyardit and the delegation of Equitoria Non Allied Force (ENAF) led by Maj.

Gen. Yanga Moses Yona (hereinafter referred to as the Parties) having met in negotiation on 18th Feb 2019 under the auspices of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Peace Desk in Yei River State in the person of Arch - Bishop Elias Taban Parangi;

Driven by our deep commitment and concern to end the suffering of our citizens in Yei River State in particular and South Sudan in general;

Mindful of the tragic conditions facing thousands of our people in refugee and Internal Displaced Camps;

Committed to the National Dialogue to end the war and to create an atmosphere for Socio-Economic Development;

Conscious of our cultural values of solidarity, cooperation and peacemaking amongst our people of Yei River State;

Motivated by the courageous decision of the President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. General Salva Kiir Mayardit on the need to promote grassroots dialogue and the insurance of amnesty to warring parties and individuals who have taken up arms against the government;

Further appreciating the initiative of H.E. the President of the Republic for promoting peace across the Country;

Honoring the Novelty and the role of Churches in playing mediation and reconciliation, specifically appreciating the role of EPC and their partners who have provided inspirational spiritual guidance and peace building in South Sudan.

Now, therefore, in the spirit of Peace, Unity Security and political stability in Yei River and State, and again in the Spirit of addressing grievances in Yei River State Peacefully;

The Parties to this Agreement do hereby commit to sign and implement this agreement in letter and spirit for peace and stability in Yei River State in particular and South Sudan in general.

THE AGREEMENT

The Agreement on the Demands of the Equatoria Non-Allied Force (ENAF) in Yei River State.

The Parties to the Agreement are the Equatoria Non-Allied Force (ENAF), Yei State Government, NSS/ISB and EPC Peace Desk.

2. On the Observations of Ceasefire in Yei River States the parties resolved that:

The Government of the Republic of South Sudan to observe ceasefire in Yei River State in order to allow ENAF to pre-assemble their forces in Lainya.

On protection of Civilians, Refugees, Returnees and IDPs in Yei River State, it is resolved that;

The Government of the Republic of South Sudan should ensure that the leadership of Yei River State has equal treatment and protection of all citizens of the Republic of South Sudan, Civilians, Refugees, IDPs and Voluntary returnees.

The trend of targeted killing and labelling of civilians on the basis of ethnicity and affiliation to rebels or any other form of harassment must stop upon signing of this agreement.

The Government should deploy state police and other organized forces with full mandate to keep law and order in all the countries of Yei River State.

The State Government shall return all properties belonging to the members of ENAF faction under Maj.

Gen. Yanga Moses Yona that were either confiscated or frozen.

On reconciliation and Healing, the parties resolved that:

There shall be Recognition and Integration of all ENAF to the Ranks and files of the army, National Security Services and other organized forces following SPPDF organizational structure;

There shall be no revenge or an act of reprisal against members who deserted their service for rebellion.

On Power-Sharing between the current Government of Yei River State and Equatoria Non-Allied Forces, it is resolved that:

The Government shall ensure appropriate political representation of ENAF in the allocation of political portfolios in Yei River State to give confidence to the people of the state.

Parties agreed for the straightforward integration of more than 750 (seven hundred fifty) ENAF armed combatant’s forces under Maj.

Gen. Yanga Moses Yona into National Army and other organized forces.

The parties agreed that the timeframe for the assembling of forces shall start upon signing of this agreement on 18th February 2019 and ends April 30th 2019.

On repatriation of Yei River State’s citizens from the refugee and the internally displaced camps to their original settlements, it is agreed that:

Members of ENAF should be represented in the State RRC so as to mobilize and sensitize the IDP’s and the refugee community for a voluntary return to their various locations in Yei River State.

The elderly, children and the disabled shall be demobilized to the DDR Commission though States linkages.

On the representation of ENAF in key government sectors to promote unity of purpose in the Republic of South Sudan, it is agreed that:

Continuity of cordial cooperation and representation of the people of Yei River State in the National Government is guaranteed.

On a spirit for reconciliation and healing in Yei River State,

The Parties agreed that the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Peace Desk in Yei River State under the leadership of Arch-Bishop Elias Taban alongside Yei River States leadership with support from HIS Voice Global, Basic Ministries and Water is Basic be guarantors and monitors of the implementation of this agreement.

The Parties also agreed that the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Peace Desk in Yei River State under the leadership of Arch-Bishop Elias Taban alongside the Government of Yei River States with the support of HIS Voice Global, Basic Ministries and Water is Basic provides basic services in form of Shelter, food, medicine and water to the ENAF faction under Maj.

Gen. Yona from signing this agreement to the graduation of the ENAF.

On promotion of development programs in the conflict affected areas in the states, it is resolved that;

Yei River State shall rehabilitate feeder roads to facilitate movement, improve and promote economic recovery of its people.

Yei River State to build a memorial Secondary school in Lainya in recognition of the contribution of Late Dr. Samson Kwaje Lukare.

Implementation and Date of Commencement

The terms of this agreement shall be fully implemented in letter and spirit and shall commence on its signature on the 18th February, 2019, by the representitives of the Parties in Yei, Yei River State, the Republic of South Sudan, by:

SIGNATURES TO THE AGREEMENT

THE PARTIES

Maj. Gen Joseph Buong Anyardit

Government Chief Negotiator

Maj. Gen. Yanga Moses Yona

ENAF Chief Negotiator

CHIEF MEDIATOR

Arch-Bishop Elias Taban Parangi

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church Peace Desk

Yei River State – South Sudan

WITNESSED BY:

Hon Emmanuel Adil Anthony

Governor,

Yei River State

Tentative Implementation Matrix

S/ No:

01

Timeframe:

Effective February 18, 2019

Activities:

Declaration of ceasefire effective February 18th 2019

Expected Input:

Ceasefire is observed and Freedom of movement and arrival of ENAF forces

Responsible Body:

ENAF faction, the State Governments NSS/Army and EPC Peace desk

S/ No:

02

Timeframe:

February 18th, 2019 to March 5th, 2019

Activities:

Expected Input:

Forces assemble in Lainya

Responsible Body:

ENAF, the State Governments, SSPDF and NSS/ISB

S/ No:

03

Timeframe:

March 5th, 2019 to March 10th 2019

Activities:

Provision of logistics

Expected Input:

Mobility, Shelter, food, medicine and water

Responsible Body:

ENAF the State Governments, army/NSS, EPC Peace Desk and Partners

S/ No:

04

Timeframe:

March 10th 2019 to April 1st 2019

Activities:

Registration and screening of the forces and assignment into military, organized forces, civil service, vocational trainings

Expected Input:

Provision of stationaries and equipment necessary for training

Responsible Body:

Army/NSS, ENAF, organized forces, Civil Institutions, DDR Commission, EPC Peace Desk and partners.

S/ No:

05

Timeframe:

April 1st to May 20th 2019

Activities:

Commencement of Training

Expected Input:

Training staff

Responsible Body:

Army/NSS, EPC Peace Desk and Partners

S/ No:

06

Timeframe:

May 20th 2019

Activities:

Graduation and Integration of forces

Expected Input:

Mobility and Military equipment.

Responsible Body:

Army/NSS, Organised forces, Civil Institutions, EPC Peace Desk and partners

Communiqué’

The government of the Republic of South Sudan (GRSS) represented by Maj.

Gen Joseph Buong Anyardit and the Equitoria Non Allied Force (ENAF) represented by Maj.

Gen Yanga Moses Yona (hereinafter referred to as the Parties) having met in a negotiation under the auspices of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church Peace Desk in Yei River State in the person of Arch-Bishop Elias Taban Parangi from February 17, 2019 through February 18th 2019 on the theme of Cessations of Hostilities, Permanent Ceasefire, the assembly area and its security and the National Dialogue, the meeting led to the following key resolutions:

ENAF agreed to declare permanent ceasefire effective February 18th 2019 at 23:59 pm South Sudan local time.

The parties re-affirm their commitment to continue working closely together to enhance cooperation and coordination of efforts on ending suffering of the people of Yei River State in particular and South Sudan at large through cessation of all hostilities.

ENAF noted with deep concern the anti-Peace elements as a threat to peace, security and stability in Yei River States and urged them to join the Peace wagon.

The parties resolved to encourage the voluntary return of refugees and IDP’s.

The parties recognized that EPC Peace Desk and their partners played a crucial role in mediating and supporting the grassroots Peace initiative and stressed the need to sustain and enhance the operational stages as well as welcomed the decisions of EPC and partners in the continuation of its role of mediation and spiritual support

The Signatories and the witness to this security arrangement communiqué for the implementation of the Yei River State Peace Initiatives are as follows:

Mej. Gen. Boung Anyardit

Government Lead Negotiator

Maj. Gen Yanga Moses Yona

ENAF Chief Negotiator

WITNESSED BY;

Arch-Bishop;

Elias Taban Parangi

Chief Mediator, EPC Peace Desk

Republic of South Sudan

THE ENAF AGREEMENT IN PICTURES

[Photograph]

Hon. Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro center poses with the leadership of ENAF team before touching down in Yei River State to sign the Peace Agreement

[Photograph]

Reception upon arrival of the ENAF team by the Government of Yei River State at the conference hall of Yei River State Government Secretariat