Country/entity

South Sudan
Sudan
Southern Kordofan - Blue Nile - Abyei

Region

Africa (excl MENA)

Agreement name

Peace Agreement

Date

4 Apr 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.

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Sudan Conflicts (1955 - )

Stage

Framework/substantive - partial

Conflict nature

Inter-group

Peace process

South Sudan: Pre-secession Local Peace Processes

Parties

Dinka (Abyei, Tweig and Gourgrial) and the Messireya, under the supervision of 2 IC - for Brigadier 8 Commander Simon Deng Sawein.

The Signatories are:
1. Mr. James Paul Adyang — President/Head of the committee
2. Mr. Lozario Deng Bak — Deputy
3. Sultan Chiri Majok Athwai — Member
4. Al Amir and Sultan Garang Choi Bol — Member
5. Al Amir and Sultan Nyol Tag — Member
6. Mr. Deng Nyol Mathiang — Member
7. Major Ngok Chiri Deng — Member
8. Captain Juma'a Rehan Deng — Member
9. Captain Deng Deng Ajak — Member
10. Captain Gabriel Majak Malit — Member
11. Captain Bol Bol Atem — Member
12. First Lieutenant Alol Mayen Maraj

From the Messireya side, the following members signed the agreement:
1. Mougdam Hamad Shakin
2. Deij Osman Jama'a
3. Jama'a Deiar Jama'a
4. ... Adam Madou
5. Najeib Ousar Adam
6. Al Dibeib Ahmed Na'em
7. Ahmed Takou Khlaifa
8. A/Rahman Houb Allah Jamal
9. Dageein Doudou Ahmed

Third parties

-

Description

The local peace agreement in Sudan was signed on April 12, 2000, in Mulwal Agak area, between the Dinka (Abeyi, Tweig, and Gougrial) and the Messireya tribes. The agreement was supervised by Brigadier 8 Commander Simon Deng Sawein. The Dinka side agreed to recognize the Popular Movement and Sudanese Popular Liberation Army (SPLM/A) as the government fully responsible for the new Sudan, and demanded that nomads be strictly prohibited from carrying weapons in areas under the control of the SPLM. The agreement also specified the location of nomads, determined a location for trade activities, and required nomads to report to authorities before returning to their areas. Nomads were to pay a tax to the SPLM. On the other hand, the Messireya tribe requested protection of citizens and their properties, no shooting of their cows, and the cessation of cow theft. The peace committee agreed to all the conditions presented by the Messireya tribe.

Agreement document

SS_SD_000404_Peace Agreement.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type

Informal but persistent process

Rationale

There is a persistent practice of signing local agreements between the Dinka and Messireya tribes in Abyei, and this agreement does not appear to be supported by any formal structures or organisations.

Is there a documented link to a national peace process?

No

Link to national process: articulated rationale

There is no clear link made in the agreement with the national peace process.

Name of Locale

Abeyi, Tweig and Gougrial

Nature of Locale

Region

GPS Lat/Long (DD)

9.516700, 28.633300

Participant type

Local armed group
Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations

Mediator, facilitator or similar

Mediator or similar referred to

Mediator (references)

Page 1, This agreement began on the 12th April, 2000 in Mulwal Agak area under the supervision of 2 IC — for Brigadier 8 Commander Simon Deng Sawein between the two opponents/ fighting parties:... Page 1, ...This agreement was signed by the concerned parties under the supervision of alternate commander Simon Deng 2 IC — for Brigadier 8...

Type of mediator/facilitator/similar

Local armed group

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)

Page 1,
3. Muglad Conference, attended by 52 persons representing both sections of the Messiriya. This meeting ratified the recommendations from both conferences as following, acting on God's words, [from the Holy Quran]: 0 ye people! We have created thee from a male and female and made of thee nations and tribes to know one another.

Grievance List

No specific mention.

Cattle rustling/banditry

Page 1, On the other hand, the nomads requested the following from the SPLM:,
...
2.No one to shoot the Messireya cows while present in the areas under the control of the Movement.
3.Stop/cease stealing of Messireya cows.

Social cover

No specific mention.