Principles of Peace (Washington Declaration)

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Country/entity: Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Principles of Peace (Washington Declaration)
Date: 22 Oct 1993
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: Inter-group
Peace process: Sudanese (North-South) peace process
Parties: Not signed by parties, agreement mentions the following parties agreed to the text: Dr. Riak Machar and Dr. John Garang, commanders of opposing factions within the Sudan People's Liberation Movement
Third parties: Harry Johnston, Chairman Africa Sub Committee
Description: This is an agreement between commanders of opposing factions within the Sudan People's Liberation Movement which outlines an immediate ceasefire, though it is unclear if the ceasefire is temporary or permanent. It sets out the main issues of the talks, namely the right of self-determination for the people of southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains and marginalized areas, and agreement to set out an agenda for peace, with plans for follow up talks no later than November 15, 1993.

Agreement document: SD_931022_Principle of Peace (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: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: Dr. Garang and Dr. Machar agreed to the following:
1. Agreed on the right of self-determination for the people of southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, and marginalized areas;
...
7. Agreed to oppose the policies of the NIF government in Khartoum, and other subsequent regimesthat deny the right to self-determination of the people of southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, and other marginalized areas;
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): No specific mention.
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: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
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: Dr. Garang and Dr. Machar agreed to the following:
...
3. Agreed to set an agenda for peace, reconciliation, unity, and democracy;
4. Recognized that the conflict between us must be resolved through peaceful and democratic means;
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→Humanitarian assistance
Dr. Garang and Dr. Machar agreed to the following:
...
6. Agreed to cooperate and facilitate relief work in areas where people are affected by war, famine, and disease;
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: Security sector→Ceasefire→General commitments
Dr. Riak Machar and Dr. John Garang, commanders of opposing factions within the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, agreed to end hostilities.
...
Dr. Garang and Dr. Machar agreed to the following:
...
2. Agreed to an immediate cessation of hostilities and monitoring of this agreement;
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: Dr. Garang and Dr. Machar agreed to the following:
...
3. Agreed to set an agenda for peace, reconciliation, unity, and democracy;
...
5. Appreciate and encourage the regional effort for peace, reconciliation, and unity in southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, and other marginalized areas, and call upon international community to support this effort;

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: No specific mention.

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Subcommittee on Africa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:

Brian Geiger

October 22, 1993 202/225-3001

SOUTHERN SUDANESE LEADERS AGREE ON PRINCIPALS OF PEACE

Rep. Harry Johnston (D-FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, today announced a breakthrough peace agreement between the rival liberation movements in southern Sudan.

Dr. Riak Machar and Dr. John Garang, commanders of opposing factions within the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, agreed to end hostilities.

The two leaders, meeting for the first time in two years at the invitation of Mr. Johnston, conducted intensive negotiations in Washington.

Dr. Garang and Dr. Machar agreed to the following:

1. Agreed on the right of self-determination for the people of southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, and marginalized areas;

2. Agreed to an immediate cessation of hostilities and monitoring of this agreement;

3. Agreed to set an agenda for peace, reconciliation, unity, and democracy;

4. Recognized that the conflict between us must be resolved through peaceful and democratic means;

5. Appreciate and encourage the regional effort for peace, reconciliation, and unity in southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, and other marginalized areas, and call upon international community to support this effort;

6. Agreed to cooperate and facilitate relief work in areas where people are affected by war, famine, and disease;

7. Agreed to oppose the policies of the NIF government in Khartoum, and other subsequent regimesthat deny the right to self-determination of the people of southern Sudan, Nuba Mountains, and other marginalized areas;

and

8. Agreed to inform the regional leaders of this agreement, and urge that the follow-up meeting take place no later than November 15, 1993.

DONE this 22nd day of October 1993, in Washington, D.C.

(Approved:

###

Signature of Harry Johnston, Chairman Africa Subcommittee

)