Declaration of Unity Between SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SNF

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Country/entity: South Sudan
Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Declaration of Unity Between SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SNF
Date: 5 Mar 2002
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: Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: Sudanese (North-South) peace process
Parties: Dr. John Garang de Mabior / Chairman, SPLM., C-in-C, SPLA
Brig. Abdelaziz Khalid / Chairman, Exec.Comm. SNA, C-in-C, SAF
Third parties: -
Description: The SPLM/A and the SNA/F agreed to merge their forces to pursue their common agenda in the conflict against the Government of Sudan.

Agreement document: SD_020305_Declaration of Unity between SPLM or SPLA and SNA or SNA (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): The SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF have reached agreement on the following:
a) Unification of the Two Movements into One Organization:
The SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF are committed to the common political and ideological vision of a New Sudan.
...
b) Agreement has been reached on the following issues:
...
The unity of the two movements creates a favorable and conducive environment for voluntary unity of the country based on the right of self-determination.
...
Finally:
The historic agreement between the SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF enhances the struggles of our people for democracy, voluntary unity on new bases, the realization of a just peace, and the building of the New Sudan.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: The SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF have reached agreement on the following:
...
b) Agreement has been reached on the following issues:
...
The unity of the two movements creates a favorable and conducive environment for voluntary unity of the country based on the right of self-determination.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: The SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF have reached agreement on the following:
a) Unification of the Two Movements into One Organization:
...
This historic step constitutes a continuation of the struggles for national formation and national liberation on democratic bases.
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: Power sharing→Military power sharing→Merger of forces
The SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF have reached agreement on the following:
a) Unification of the Two Movements into One Organization:
...
Whereas both movements share common political and ideological beliefs, it is in the national interest and in the interest of the struggle waged by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that the two movements unify their political, organizational, and military structures.
...
The two sides have agreed on an immediate political, organizational, and military unification.
Joint Committees have been formed in order to unify political, organizational, military, and administrative structures.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: The SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF have reached agreement on the following:
...
b) Agreement has been reached on the following issues:
...
The SPLM & SNA affirm their absolute commitment to democratic pluralism, rule of law, and respect for human rights.
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: The SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF have reached agreement on the following:
a) Unification of the Two Movements into One Organization:
...
This historic step constitutes a continuation of the struggles for national formation and national liberation on democratic bases.
...
b) Agreement has been reached on the following issues:
...
The SPLM & SNA affirm their absolute commitment to democratic pluralism, rule of law, and respect for human rights.
...
Finally:
The historic agreement between the SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF enhances the struggles of our people for democracy, voluntary unity on new bases, the realization of a just peace, and the building of the New Sudan.
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: No specific mention.
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: The SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF have reached agreement on the following:
a) Unification of the Two Movements into One Organization:
The SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF are committed to the common political and ideological vision of a New Sudan.
Whereas both movements share common political and ideological beliefs, it is in the national interest and in the interest of the struggle waged by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that the two movements unify their political, organizational, and military structures.
The historic decision to unite the two organizations is a true expression of the will and determination of our people to overcome the divisions of history, culture, and religion which have hampered the development of our country, its security, and its stability.
...
The two sides have agreed on an immediate political, organizational, and military unification.
Joint Committees have been formed in order to unify political, organizational, military, and administrative structures.
b) Agreement has been reached on the following issues:
...
The SPLM & SNA affirm their absolute commitment to democratic pluralism, rule of law, and respect for human rights.
...
The SPLM and SNA are both committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Sudan.
Their unification is in accordance with this same principle and is based on their commitment to implementing peace initiatives on the basis of NDA resolutions.
...
Finally:
The historic agreement between the SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF enhances the struggles of our people for democracy, voluntary unity on new bases, the realization of a just peace, and the building of the New Sudan.
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: 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.

March 5, 2002

Declaration of Unity between SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF

Seventy-seven years after the 1924 Revolution led by Sudanese from the peripheries and center of our country and society joined together in a struggle for freedom, justice, and unity;

And, following a series of meetings in the liberated areas which crowned seven years of intricate but fruitful critical dialogue on national crisis and the pressing need to overcome the barriers that divide our nation along religious, ethnic, cultural, and gender bases;

The SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF have reached agreement on the following:

a) Unification of the Two Movements into One Organization:

The SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF are committed to the common political and ideological vision of a New Sudan.

Whereas both movements share common political and ideological beliefs, it is in the national interest and in the interest of the struggle waged by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) that the two movements unify their political, organizational, and military structures.

The historic decision to unite the two organizations is a true expression of the will and determination of our people to overcome the divisions of history, culture, and religion which have hampered the development of our country, its security, and its stability.

This historic step constitutes a continuation of the struggles for national formation and national liberation on democratic bases.

The two sides have agreed on an immediate political, organizational, and military unification.

Joint Committees have been formed in order to unify political, organizational, military, and administrative structures.

b) Agreement has been reached on the following issues:

System of Rule:

The SPLM & SNA affirm their absolute commitment to democratic pluralism, rule of law, and respect for human rights.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA): The NDA is the unifying body for the peoples of Sudan and is the guarantor of national consensus and the future stability of Sudanese politics.

Unity between the two movements is undertaken with an unwavering commitment to NDA institutions and charters and is meant to strengthen them and to solidify unity within its ranks.

Peaceful Settlement:

The SPLM and SNA are both committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Sudan.

Their unification is in accordance with this same principle and is based on their commitment to implementing peace initiatives on the basis of NDA resolutions.

Voluntary Unity and Self-Determination:

The unity of the two movements creates a favorable and conducive environment for voluntary unity of the country based on the right of self-determination.

Stability, Regional Cooperation, and International Peace:

This agreement is concluded at a time when the terrorist dictatorial regime of Khartoum continues to brutalize our country and destabilize regional security and international peace.

This agreement aims to make Sudan an anchor for regional and global stability and peace.

Finally:

The historic agreement between the SPLM/SPLA and SNA/SAF enhances the struggles of our people for democracy, voluntary unity on new bases, the realization of a just peace, and the building of the New Sudan.

Signed:

Dr. John Garang de Mabior

Chairman, SPLM.,

C-in-C, SPLA

Brig.

Abdelaziz Khalid

Chairman, Exec.

Comm.,

SNA, C-in-C, SAF