Protocole d'accord additionnel entre le Gouvernement de la Republique du Niger et l'Union des Forces de la Resistance Armee (FPLS, MUR, FAR) et les Forces Armees Revolutionnaires du Sahara

Export agreement:

Export agreement coding (PDF)

Country/entity: Niger
Air and Azawad
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Protocole d'accord additionnel entre le Gouvernement de la Republique du Niger et l'Union des Forces de la Resistance Armee (FPLS, MUR, FAR) et les Forces Armees Revolutionnaires du Sahara
Date: 23 Nov 1997
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Tuareg Wars (1962 - )
Mali-Azawad
The nomadic Tuareg in the north of Mali maintained a long-standing revolt against a government traditionally dominated by southern politicians shortly after Mali became independent from France in 1960. The uprisings focused in and around the Azawad region, north of Timbuktu. After several outbreaks of violence during the 1980s, violence peaked with the 1990 outbreak of the Tuareg Rebellion. Following an initial defeat by the Malian Armed Forces, reparations by the government of Alpha Konare included the creation of the self-governing Kidal region. Violence in 1994 died down following peace between moderates on both sides in 1995 and a negotiated peace agreement. Violence continued due to a lack of integration by combatants, but it was not until 2011 that the situation again escalated in the aftermath of the Arab Spring and the disintegration of Libya, which resulted in a heavy inflow of small arms, and the increased involvement by Algeria. In January 2012, the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) together with several other groups took full control of the region. Disputes on how to handle the situation led to a military coup against President Touré in March 2012 that, in turn, resulted in further turmoil. The MNLA declared the independence of Azawad, but soon lost control of most of the territory to radical Islamist militias including Ansar Dine. A French intervention in January 2013 paved the way for a UN mission, which was established in April of that year. In June 2015 multiple declarations culminated in a final agreement between several Azawad-affiliated groups, including MNLA, and the government of Mali to end hostilities. However, inadequate implementation of the agreement results in continual armed confrontations between pro-government militias, Azawad-affiliated groups, dissidents of Azawad-affiliated groups, ethnically oriented groups, and increasingly since 2017, radical Islamist militias.

Niger-Aïr-Azawad
In 1990 the nomadic Tuareg in northern Niger explicitly sought greater political autonomy following decades of grievances on local political exclusion. With the first armed group Aïr and Azawad Liberation Front (FLAA) to be established in 1991, fighting between 1990 to 1995 took place largely in the Air Mountains. A short-lived truce was agreed in 1994 between the Niger Government and the Tuareg umbrella organisation Coordination of Armed Resistance (CRA), later called Organisation of Armed Resistance (ORA). Another accord was signed in April 1995 in Ouagadougou with various other Tuareg groups and some Toubou, the last signing in 1998. After ten years of relative peace, Movement of Nigeriens for Justice (MNJ) reinvigorated conflicts in 2007 following little follow up by the Nigeriene government on the signed peace agreements.
Stage: Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Niger peace process
Parties: HAVE SIGNED
For the Government of the Republic of Niger ISSOFOU OUBANDAWAKI
For the Union of Forces of the Armed Resistance (FPLS, MUR, FAR) MOHAMED ANACKO
For the Revolutionary Armed Forces of the Sahara (FARS) BARKA WARDOUGOU
Third parties: HAVE SIGNED
For the Government of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria MADJID BOUGUERRA
Description: The agreement establishes a ceasefire, release of prisoners, and de-mining, and future uniting of forces, and disarmament of ex-combatants.

Agreement document: NE_971123_Protocol_EN.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): NE_971123_Protocol_FR.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: 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): Page 1, Untitled preamble:
In implementing the Peace Agreement of April 24, 1995, the Government of the Republic of Niger, the Union of Forces of the Armed Resistance (l’Union des Forces de la Résistance Armées (UFRA/FPFS, MUR, FAR) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of the Sahara (les Forces Armées Révolutionnaires du Sahara, FARS),
[...]
- Wishing to preserve national unity and the territorial integrity of the Republic
[...]
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): 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: Governance→Constitution→Constitution affirmation/renewal
Page 1, Untitled preamble:
In implementing the Peace Agreement of April 24, 1995, the Government of the Republic of Niger, the Union of Forces of the Armed Resistance (l’Union des Forces de la Résistance Armées (UFRA/FPFS, MUR, FAR) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of the Sahara (les Forces Armées Révolutionnaires du Sahara, FARS),
[...]
- Reaffirming their adherence to the constitution of May 12, 1996, and respect for the institutions of the Republic;
[...]

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
Page 2, Article 7:
[...]
The issue of post-conflict management in Niger: analysis of the policy of reinsertion of Tuareg ex-combatants
Aofit 2009

Page 2, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS, Article 8:
The Saharan Security Units shall be operational after their formation. For the specific case of zones at risk they shall be operational at the same time. Ex-members of the Resistance shall be fully involved in managing the process of decentralisation.
The President of the Republic shall select members of the Fronts and Movements for integration in and nomination for State jobs.
A general amnesty shall be proclaimed for persons involved in acts of war before the date of signature of the present agreement. Calming measures shall be taken to assist the populations affected by the conflict and in order to remember all the victims.

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: 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: 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: Page 2, RECOMMENDATION:
The meeting shall recommend to the Government and to the FDR to do all in their power to bring about a successful resolution of the situation prevailing in the east of the country, in order to re-establish peace and security as soon as possible.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
[Summary: This agreement provides for a definitive ceasefire starting on 27 November 1997 at 00.00 hours.]

Page 1, Article 1: A definitive ceasefire shall enter into force on November 27, 1997, at 00.00 hours, Naimey time.

The Government, UFRA and FARS shall take all necessary steps to avoid any actions likely to cause confrontations in the zones affected by the conflict.

Page 1, Article 3: Following entry into force of the ceasefire, the two parties shall, each on its own behalf, carry out mine clearance.
At the end of this process, which should last no longer than two weeks, the parties shall form a joint team tasked with verifying the mine clearance operation.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: Page 1, Article 5: Integration in the Saharan security units and military and paramilitary units shall take place on January 25, 1988. [...]

Page 2, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS, Article 8:
The Saharan Security Units shall be operational after their formation. For the specific case of zones at risk they shall be operational at the same time. Ex-members of the Resistance shall be fully involved in managing the process of decentralisation.
[...]
DDR: Security sector→DDR→DDR programmes
Page 1, Article 4:
Billeting of ex-combatants shall begin on January 1, 1998 and end on January 31, 1998. A mixed commission shall carry out identification operations from January 10, 1998.

Page 1, Article 5:
Integration in the Saharan security units and military and paramilitary units shall take place on January 25, 1988.
Action shall be taken regarding State and mixed economy organisations to facilitate the integration of demobilised ex-combatants.
Integration in the areas of education and of health shall be based on the applications presented at the appropriate time.

Page 1, Article 6:
An appropriate framework will be created to secure finance for the programme for socio-economic reinsertion of ex-combatants.

Page 2, Article 7:
The disarmament of ex-combatants shall take place on January 30, 1998.

10
The issue of post-conflict management in Niger: analysis of the policy of reinsertion of Tuareg ex-combatants
Aofit 2009

Page 2, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS, Article 8:
The Saharan Security Units shall be operational after their formation. For the specific case of zones at risk they shall be operational at the same time. Ex-members of the Resistance shall be fully involved in managing the process of decentralisation.
The President of the Republic shall select members of the Fronts and Movements for integration in and nomination for State jobs.
[...]
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: Page 1, Article 1: A definitive ceasefire shall enter into force on November 27, 1997, at 00.00 hours, Naimey time.

The Government, UFRA and FARS shall take all necessary steps to avoid any actions likely to cause confrontations in the zones affected by the conflict.

Page 1, Article 4:
Billeting of ex-combatants shall begin on January 1, 1998 and end on January 31, 1998. A mixed commission shall carry out identification operations from January 10, 1998.

Page 1, Article 5: Integration in the Saharan security units and military and paramilitary units shall take place on January 25, 1988. [...]

Page 2, Article 7:
[...]
The issue of post-conflict management in Niger: analysis of the policy of reinsertion of Tuareg ex-combatants
Aofit 2009

Page 2, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS, Article 8:
The Saharan Security Units shall be operational after their formation. For the specific case of zones at risk they shall be operational at the same time. Ex-members of the Resistance shall be fully involved in managing the process of decentralisation.
The President of the Republic shall select members of the Fronts and Movements for integration in and nomination for State jobs.
A general amnesty shall be proclaimed for persons involved in acts of war before the date of signature of the present agreement. Calming measures shall be taken to assist the populations affected by the conflict and in order to remember all the victims.

Page 2, FINAL PROVISIONS, Article 9:
UFRA (FPLS, MUR, FAR) and FARS, together with the Nigerien Government, shall request Algeria to use its good offices to restore peace in Niger.
In this regard, Algeria, in close collaboration with the two parties, shall monitor implementation of the provisions of the present agreement protocol.

Page 2, RECOMMENDATION
The meeting shall recommend to the Government and to the FDR to do all in their power to bring about a successful resolution of the situation prevailing in the east of the country, in order to re-establish peace and security as soon as possible.
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: Transitional justice→Amnesty/pardon→Amnesty/pardon proper
Page 2, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS, Article 8:
[...]
A general amnesty shall be proclaimed for persons involved in acts of war before the date of signature of the present agreement. Calming measures shall be taken to assist the populations affected by the conflict and in order to remember all the victims.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: Page 1, Article 2:
Entry into force of the ceasefire shall be followed by the release of all persons detained on both sides for acts of war, according to procedures agreed by the two parties.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: Page 2, SPECIFIC PROVISIONS, Article 8:
[...]
A general amnesty shall be proclaimed for persons involved in acts of war before the date of signature of the present agreement. Calming measures shall be taken to assist the populations affected by the conflict and in order to remember all the victims.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 1, Untitled preamble:
In implementing the Peace Agreement of April 24, 1995, the Government of the Republic of Niger, the Union of Forces of the Armed Resistance (l’Union des Forces de la Résistance Armées (UFRA/FPFS, MUR, FAR) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of the Sahara (les Forces Armées Révolutionnaires du Sahara, FARS),
[...]
- Wishing to preserve national unity and the territorial integrity of the Republic
[...]

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: Page 1, Untitled preamble:
[...]
Have agreed, under the auspices of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, the following:
[...]

Page 2, [Signed]
[...]
For the Government of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria MADJID BOUGUERRA
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: Mémoire Online, Annexe 2, https://web.archive.org/save/https://www.memoireonline.com/01/14/8428/m_La-problematique-de-la-gestion-post-conflit-au-Niger-Analyse-de-la-politique-de-reinsertion-des-e39.html

ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF NIGER AND THE UNION OF FORCES OF THE ARMED RESISTANCE (FPLS, MUR, FAR) AND THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMED FORCES OF THE SAHARA

In implementing the Peace Agreement of April 24, 1995, the Government of the Republic of Niger, the Union of Forces of the Armed Resistance (l’Union des Forces de la Résistance Armées (UFRA/FPFS, MUR, FAR) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of the Sahara (les Forces Armées Révolutionnaires du Sahara, FARS),

Convinced of the need to restore peace in their country

Wishing to preserve national unity and the territorial integrity of the Republic

Reaffirming their adherence to the constitution of May 12, 1996,and respect for the institutions of the Republic;

Have agreed, under the auspices of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, the following:

Article 1:

A definitive ceasefire shall enter into force on November 27, 1997, at 00.00 hours, Naimey time.

The Government, UFRA and FARS shall take all necessary steps to avoid any actions likely to cause confrontations in the zones affected by the conflict.

Article 2:

Entry into force of the ceasefire shall be followed by the release of all persons detained on both sides for acts of war, according to procedures agreed by the two parties.

Article 3:

Following entry into force of the ceasefire, the two parties shall, each on its own behalf, carry out mine clearance.

At the end of this process, which should last no longer than two weeks, the parties shall form a joint team tasked with verifying the mine clearance operation.

Article 4:

Billeting of ex-combatants shall begin on January 1, 1998 and end on January 31, 1998.

A mixed commission shall carry out identification operations from January 10, 1998.

Article 5:

Integration in the Saharan security units and military and paramilitary units shall take place on January 25, 1988.

Action shall be taken regarding State and mixed economy organisations to facilitate the integration of demobilised ex-combatants.

Integration in the areas of education and of health shall be based on the applications presented at the appropriate time.

Article 6:

An appropriate framework will be created to secure finance for the programme for socio-economic reinsertion of ex-combatants.

Article 7:

The disarmament of ex-combatants shall take place on January 30, 1998.

The issue of post-conflict management in Niger:

analysis of the policy of reinsertion of Tuareg ex-combatants

Aofit 2009

SPECIFIC PROVISIONS

Article 8:

The Saharan Security Units shall be operational after their formation.

For the specific case of zones at risk they shall be operational at the same time.

Ex-members of the Resistance shall be fully involved in managing the process of decentralisation.

The President of the Republic shall select members of the Fronts and Movements for integration in and nomination for State jobs.

A general amnesty shall be proclaimed for persons involved in acts of war before the date of signature of the present agreement.

Calming measures shall be taken to assist the populations affected by the conflict and in order to remember all the victims.

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 9:

UFRA (FPLS, MUR, FAR) and FARS, together with the Nigerien Government, shall request Algeria to use its good offices to restore peace in Niger.

In this regard, Algeria, in close collaboration with the two parties, shall monitor implementation of the provisions of the present agreement protocol.

RECOMMENDATION

The meeting shall recommend to the Government and to the FDR to do all in their power to bring about a successful resolution of the situation prevailing in the east of the country, in order to re-establish peace and security as soon as possible.

Done at Algiers, November 23, 1997 HAVE SIGNED

For the Government of the Republic of Niger ISSOFOU OUBANDAWAKI

For the Union of Forces of the Armed Resistance (FPLS, MUR, FAR) MOHAMED ANACKO

For the Revolutionary Armed Forces of the Sahara (FARS) BARKA WARDOUGOU

For the Government of the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria MADJID BOUGUERRA