Chairman's Conclusions from the Arusha Consultations

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Country/entity: Sudan
Darfur
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Chairman's Conclusions from the Arusha Consultations
Date: 6 Aug 2007
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate 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: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Darfur-Sudan peace process
Parties: AU Special Envoys for Darfur, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim
UN Special Envoys for Darfur, Mr. Jan Eliasson
'Leading personalities of the Darfur Movements'
The regional countries Chad, Egypt, Eritrea and Libya also participated in the meeting. Several Field Commanders were also present.
Third parties: -
Description: Short document detailing the discussions held between AU and UN Special Envoys and representatives of the Darfur Movements. The document lists the main points made by the Darfur Movements, largely relating to the existence of a common negotiating platform in upcoming negotiations with the Government of Sudan. Other provisions relate to the inclusion of a broad range of views in the upcoming negotiations, and also more general security and humanitarian matters.

Agreement document: SD_070806_Chairman Conclusions.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Main category: Page 1,
The discussions focused on the following issues: (a) Need for a common negotiation platform of the Movements for the resumed talks; (b) Criteria and level of participation in the final negotiations; (c) Agenda and venue for the renewed talks; (d) Inclusion of the concerns of IDPs, refugees, tribal leaders, women and other civil society groups; and (e) Security and humanitarian matters.

Page 2,
VIII. Urged the Special Envoys to continue and finalize their consultations with IDPs, refugees, traditional leaders and civil society organisations, including women's groups in an effort to develop a mechanism to channel their views and positions into the final negotiations.

Women, girls and gender

Participation: No specific mention.
Equality: No specific mention.
Particular groups of women: No specific mention.
International law: No specific mention.
New institutions: New institutions→Infrastructure (general)
Page 1,
The discussions focused on the following issues: (a) Need for a common negotiation platform of the Movements for the resumed talks; (b) Criteria and level of participation in the final negotiations; (c) Agenda and venue for the renewed talks; (d) Inclusion of the concerns of IDPs, refugees, tribal leaders, women and other civil society groups; and (e) Security and humanitarian matters

Page 2,
VIII. Urged the Special Envoys to continue and finalize their consultations with IDPs, refugees, traditional leaders and civil society organisations, including women's groups in an effort to develop a mechanism to channel their views and positions into the final negotiations
Violence against women: No specific mention.
Transitional justice: No specific mention.
Institutional reform: No specific mention.
Development: No specific mention.
Implementation: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

The Chairmen’s conclusions from the Arusha consultations

At the invitation of the AU and UN Special Envoys fro Darfur, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim and Mr. Jan Eliasson, leading personalities of the Darfur Movements held consultations in Ngurdoto, Arusha, Tanzania, from 3 to 6 August 2009.

The regional countries Chad, Egypt, Eritrea and Libya also participated in the meeting.

Several Field Commanders were also present.

The Arusha meeting aimed at creating an enabling environment for the non-signatories to meet and consult among themselves, with other participants and the Special Envoys in order to facilitate the preparations for the negotiations.

The discussions focussed on the following issues:

(a) Ned for a common negotiation platform for the Movements for the resumed talks;

(b) Criteria and level of participation in the final negotiations;

(d) Inclusion of the concerns of IDPs, refugees, tribal leaders, women and other civil society groups;

and (e) Security and humanitarian matters.

The meeting stressed that the conflict in Darfur can have no military solution and that a political solution is of utmost urgency.

The representatives of the Darfur Movements present:

Reaffirmed their commitment to the Road-map of the Special Envoys for re-energising the political process.

Expressed their commitment and readiness to fully participate in the forthcoming negotiations under the leadership of the AU/UN in partnership with regional actors, and with the support of the international community.

Presented a common platform on power sharing, wealth sharing, security arrangements, land/Hawakeer and humanitarian issues, for the final negotiations.

They also recommended that final talks should be held between 2-3 months from now in countries of the regional initiatives or in any other country that the mediation considers suitable in terms of environment and facilities, to ensure the success of the negotiations;

Decided to keep open the possibility for those who were invited but did not participate in the Arusha consultations, to join their common platform, in order to have an inclusive representation of the movements in the final negotiations.

Reiterated their readiness to respect a complete cessation of hostilities provided that all other parties make similar commitments.

Expressed their commitment to allow free access to humanitarian aid agencies, to refrain from any act of hostilities against the personnel and assets of the African Mission in the Sudan (AMIS), as well as against humanitarian organisations in Darfur;

Welcomed the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1769 on 31 July 2007, which authorised the deployment of the Hybrid Operation and expressed support for the ongoing political process.

They also pledged their full co-operation for the implementation of the Hybrid Operation, bearing in mind that it would contribute to ending violence and insecurity on the ground.

Urged the Special envoys to continue and finalize their consultation with IDPs, refugees, traditional leaders and civil society organisations, including women’s groups in an effort to develop a mechanism to channel their views and positions into the final negotiations.

The Special Envoys welcomed these common positions as an important development in the preparations for the negotiations.

They also commended the representatives of the movements for the seriousness they demonstrated during the consultations.

With respect to the issues relating to the negotiations, inter alia, venue, timing and cessation of hostilities, the Special Envoys will consult the Government of the Sudan and other stakeholders, bearing in mind the view expressed by the representatives of the movements.

During the consultations, the representatives of the movements expressed their concern over the situation of Mr. Suleiman Jamous.

The Special Envoys recalled that they had taken up this issue on several occasions with the Government of Sudan.

They expressed their intention to pursue the matter in view of the role Mr. Jamous can play in the political process.

The Participants expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the Government and People of the United Republic of Tanzania for hosting the meeting and for the generous hospitality extended to the participants.

Ngurdoto, Arusha, 6 August 2007

Chairman's Conclusions from the Arusha Consultations

Women, girls and gender

Source agreement