Decision and Recommendation of Peaceful Co-existence in Unity State (Bentiu Peace Conference Resolutions)

Export agreement:

Export agreement coding (PDF)

Country/entity: South Sudan
Sudan
Southern Kordofan - Blue Nile - Abyei
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Decision and Recommendation of Peaceful Co-existence in Unity State (Bentiu Peace Conference Resolutions)
Date: 2 Nov 2010
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/local 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: Kordofan - Blue Nile - Abyei process
Parties: Misseria and Dinka Ngok representatives.
Third parties: -
Description: Resolutions cover the issues between Misseriya and Dinka Ngok in Parieng Country, Unity State. Recommendations include the opening of roads, SPLA and police escorts of tribes, the administrations of fees per head of cattle, restrictions on firearms among cattlement, and co-operation between tribes in regards to crime.

Agreement document: SD_101102_Decision and Recommendation of Peaceful Co-existence in Unity State (Bentiu Peace Conference Resolutions.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type: Unable to establish
Rationale: The agreement is fairly short and does not provide information about the process that led to its signing. Unable to find relevant secondary sources.
Is there a documented link to a national peace process?: T
Link to national process: articulated rationale: The agreement is fairly short and does not provide information about a potential link to the national peace process. Unable to find relevant secondary sources.
Name of Locale: Unity State
Nature of Locale: Region
GPS Lat/Long (DD): 9.230753, 29.797850
Participant type: Other
Mediator, facilitator or similar: No mention of mediator or similar

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture): No specific mention.
Grievance List: Page 1, Decisions:-, 7. The conferences decided to identify the losses in property and humans by the counties Amirs, depending on police records, the payment should be done according to the tribal customs within three months from signing the agreement of this conference.
Cattle rustling/banditry: No specific mention.
Social cover: Page 1, Decisions:-, 6. Exchange the names of the Recidivists for identification and arrest and trial.

Bentiu Peace Conference Resolutions:

Decision and Recommendation of Peaceful Co-existence in Unity State

November 2, 2010

Decisions:-

The Misseriya nomads are allowed to enter the grazing areas in Unity State (Panrieng County, Mayom, Abiemnom, Guit and Rubknona) Warrap State and Abyei Area through the corridors that will be identified by the Authorities of these countries.

Because of the security situation and the necessity of guaranteeing the security of the cattlemen they were allowed to:

Big herd (5) pieces of light arms.

Small herd (3) of light arms.

As the purpose of the arms is to protect the cattlemen from wild animals, a force from SPLA and the police should be formed to accompany the herd, the support of this force by the all needed means should be from the mentioned States to fulfil their duties.

Form a joint popular court between the parties, the identification of the locations should be by an agreement with other parties.

Impose fees estimated to (5) five pounds in one season for every cattle head against the administrative services.

Exchange the names of the Recidivists for identification and arrest and trial.

The conferences decided to identify the losses in property and humans by the counties Amirs, depending on police records, the payment should be done according to the tribal customs within three months from signing the agreement of this conference.

Missireya Amirs and Shiekhs should be with herds to facilitate the procedures of entering the grazing areas in coordination with the counties administration where the grazing areas exist.

Recommendations:

We recommend that the petroleum companies should open the water stream and build Hafirs for the citizens of Unity State for providing clean water for drinking and more pasture for the people living in the areas far from river banks.

Conduct preparatory conferences upon when entering and departing of the cattlemen.

The conference recommend an urgent conference to address the pending issues in Abyamnum county and Abyei Area Muglad

Recommend reopening the old road of Mayoum and establishment of check points to provide security.

The conference recommends the State Governors to request the companies to asphalt the road between SKS and Unity State.

The conference recommends conducting tribal conferences to build the social fabric of these tribes.

The conference recommends opening the road between Kaiga Jero and Bantlyo for its importance to strengthen the relations between the tribes in the bordering States.

Source:

Sudan North-South Border Initiative