Communique of the Abuja Sudanese Peace Conference

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Country/entity: South Sudan
Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Communique of the Abuja Sudanese Peace Conference
Date: 4 Jun 1992
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: Sudanese (North-South) peace process
Parties: Delegation of the Government of of the Sudan: H.E. Mohammed El-Amin Khalifa, Speaker of the Transitional National Assembly, H.E. Brig-George Kongor, Government of Bahr El-Ghazal State, H.E. Dr. Hussein Sulayman Abu Salih, Minister of Social Welfare and Development; Delegation of the SPLMA/A Cdr. Willian Nyoun Bany, Leader of Delegation, Cdr. Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, Deputy Leader of the Delegation, Mr. Elijah Malok Deng, Secretary to the Delegation
Third parties: Observers from the Federal Government of Nigeria: Dr. Tunj Olagunju, Hon. Minister of Internal affairs, Col. Lawan Gwadabe, Ambassado Olu Sanu, President Special Envoy on the Sudan Conflict
Description: Agreement that informs on the Abuja Sudanese Peace Conference, during which the parties recognized the diversities of Sudan and the need towards an institutional/political interim arrangement that would ensure devolution of powers and include equitable sharing of national wealth. The Parties also agreed to embark on a process that rehabilitates and resettles the displaced refugees and families of the conflict.

Agreement document: SD_920604_Communique Abuja Sudanese Peace Conference.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
Page 1, 2. The Parties to dispute recognize that Sudan is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious country. They recognize the diversity of Sudan and the need to work towards an institutional/political arrangement to cope with and encourage such diversities as is the case of Nigeria.
Religious groups: Groups→Religious groups→Rhetorical
Page 1, 2. The Parties to dispute recognize that Sudan is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious country. They recognize the diversity of Sudan and the need to work towards an institutional/political arrangement to cope with and encourage such diversities as is the case of Nigeria.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Rhetorical
Page 1, 5. The parties to the dispute recognize that the war has caused dislocation of families and the destruction of the infra-structure in Sudan. The government of Sudan and the interim Administration will use the interim period, with the assistance of the international community, to embark upon a deliberate process of reconstruction of war affected areas, and the rehabilitation and resettlement of refugees displaced by war and famine.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: Page 1, 5. The parties to the dispute recognize that the war has caused dislocation of families and the destruction of the infra-structure in Sudan. The government of Sudan and the interim Administration will use the interim period, with the assistance of the international community, to embark upon a deliberate process of reconstruction of war affected areas, and the rehabilitation and resettlement of refugees displaced by war and famine.

State definition

Nature of state (general): Page 1, 2. The Parties to dispute recognize that Sudan is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious country. They recognize the diversity of Sudan and the need to work towards an institutional/political arrangement to cope with and encourage such diversities as is the case of Nigeria.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): Governance→Political institutions (new or reformed)→General references
Page 1, 2. The Parties to dispute recognize that Sudan is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious country. They recognize the diversity of Sudan and the need to work towards an institutional/political arrangement to cope with and encourage such diversities as is the case of Nigeria.
Governance→Political institutions (new or reformed)→Temporary new institutions
Page 1, 3. The parties agreed to work towards an interim arrangement aimed principally at allaying the fears of the component parts of Sudan, building confidence and ensuring devolution of powers to enable the component parts to develop in an atmosphere of relative peace and security. The parties, however, agreed to consult their Principals with a view to determining the structures and character of the interim arrangement as well as ascertain the wishes of the people concerned thereafter.

Page 1, 4. All the parties to the dispute recognize the need for equitable sharing of national wealth. Towards this goal, it was agreed that the interim arrangement shall include a Revenue Allocation Commission to deal with the equitable sharing of wealth among the component parts of the country.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: Power sharing→Economic power sharing→Sharing of resources
Page 1, 4. All the parties to the dispute recognize the need for equitable sharing of national wealth. Towards this goal, it was agreed that the interim arrangement shall include a Revenue Allocation Commission to deal with the equitable sharing of wealth among the component parts of the country.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: Page 1, 2. The Parties to dispute recognize that Sudan is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious country. They recognize the diversity of Sudan and the need to work towards an institutional/political arrangement to cope with and encourage such diversities as is the case of Nigeria.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Infrastructure and reconstruction
Page 1, 5. The parties to the dispute recognize that the war has caused dislocation of families and the destruction of the infra-structure in Sudan. The government of Sudan and the interim Administration will use the interim period, with the assistance of the international community, to embark upon a deliberate process of reconstruction of war affected areas, and the rehabilitation and resettlement of refugees displaced by war and famine.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: Observers from the Federal Government of Nigeria: Dr. Tunj Olagunju, Hon. Minister of Internal affairs, Col. Lawan Gwadabe, Ambassado Olu Sanu, President Special Envoy on the Sudan Conflict
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Peacemaker.un.org,. 2015. 'UN Peacemaker'. http://peacemaker.un.org.

THE ABUJA 1SUDANESE PEACE CONFERENCE

26 May - 4 June 1992

COMMUNIQUE

The parties to the Sudanese conflict, namely, the Government of Sudan and the Sudanese People’ s Liberation Movement / Sudanese People’ s Liberation Army SPLM/A met in Abuja Nigeria from May 26-June 4 under the good offices of President Ibrahim Babangida.

1 All parties to the dispute agree that the current conflict can be resolved through peaceful negotiation.

They therefore agree to continue their discussions, under the good offices of President Babangida even after he has left office of Chairman of the OAU.

In order to build upon the gains achieved in Abuja.

2 The parties to dispute recognize that Sudan is a multi-ethnic, multilingual, multi-cultural and multi-religious country.

They recognize the diversities of Sudan and the need to work towards an institutional/political arrangement to cope with and encourage such diversities as is the case in Nigeria.

3 The parties agreed to work towards an interim arrangement aimed principally at allaying the fears of the component parts of Sudan, building confidence and ensuring devolution of powers to enable the component parts to develop in an atmosphere of relative peace and security.

The parties, however, agreed to consult their Principals with a view to determining the structures and character of the interim arrangement as well as ascertain the wishes of the people concerned thereafter.

4 All the parties to the dispute recognize the need for equitable sharing of national wealth.

Towards this goal, it was agreed that the interim arrangement shall include a Revenue Allocation Commission to deal with the equitable sharing of wealth among the component parts of the country.

5. The parties to the dispute recognize that the war has caused dislocation of families and the destruction of the infra-structure in Sudan.

The government of Sudan and the interim Administration will use the interim period, with the assistance of the international community, to embark upon a deliberate process of reconstruction of war affected areas, and the rehabilitation and resettlement of refugees displaced by war and famine.

6 Parties to the dispute agreed to support efforts aimed at creating a conducive atmosphere towards arriving at a more amicable settlement which is being worked out to create a conducive atmosphere for continued negotiations.

7 All parties to the dispute agree to meet again at a time to be fixed by Nigeria, to discuss mainly the question of political interim arrangement for the transition period.

8 The parties to the dispute express deep appreciation and gratitude to President Babangida for the initiative in calling the Peace Conference.

They also thank the people of Nigeria for the hospitality extended to them.

DELEGATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SUDAN

(Signed)

1. H.E. Mohammed El-Amin Khalifa

Speaker of the Transitional

National Assembly

(Signed)

2. H.E. Brig-George Kongor

Government of Bahr El-Ghazal State

(Signed)

3. H.E. Dr. Hussein Sulayman

Abu Salih

Minister of Social Welfare And Development

DELEGATION OF THE SPLM/A

(Signed)

1. Cdr.

Willian Nyoun Bany

Leader of Delegation

(Signed)

2. Cdr.

Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin

Deputy Leader of the Delegation

(Signed)

3. Mr. Elijiah Malok Deng

Secretary to the Delegation

OBSERVERS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA

(Signed)

1 Dr. Tunj Olagunju

Hon. Minister of Internal Affairs

(Signed)

2. Col.

Lawan Gwadabe

(Signed)

3. Ambassador Olu Sanu

President Special Envoy on the Sudan Conflict.