Ceasefire Framework Agreement between the SPLA and Lt. Gen. George Athor’s Forces

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Country/entity: South Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Ceasefire Framework Agreement between the SPLA and Lt. Gen. George Athor’s Forces
Date: 5 Jan 2011
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: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: South Sudan: Pre-secession Local Peace Processes
Parties: Brigadier General Michael Majur Aleer
for The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), with all its formations and units;

Major General Abraham Thon Chol
for Lt. Gen. George Athor Force’s, with all its formations and units.
Third parties: Witnessed by:
His Grace Most Reverend Dr. Daniel Deng Bul
Chairman, High Level Committee for Reconciliation and Mediation
Description: -

Agreement document: SS_110105_Ceasefire Framework Agreement between the SPLA and Lt. Gen. George Athor's Forces.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type: Formal structured process
Rationale: The agreement was brokered by a team of mediators led by Reverend Dr. Daniel Deng Bul Chairman of the High Level Committee for Reconciliation and Mediation. It was signed in the presence of the Vice-President of the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Riek Machar, GoSS representatives, diplomats, and the UN among other intenrational orgnisations. It was not an isolated example as further negotiations between the South Sudan Democratic Movement (SSDM), of which Athor's Forces were part, and the SPLA/SPLM followed after the signing of this agreement.
Is there a documented link to a national peace process?: Yes
Link to national process: articulated rationale: This ceasefire was struck between the SPLA and Lt.Gen Athor's Forces - the latter were part of the South Sudan Democratic Movement (SSDM), one of the main groups opposing the SPLM/Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS). Prior to the signing of the agreement, the President of the GOSS issued amnesties for incidents in the area disputed between the SPLA and Athor's Forces. The agreement also makes reference to the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
Name of Locale: Areas in the Greater Upper Nile region (incl. Jonglei and Unity State)
Nature of Locale: Region
GPS Lat/Long (DD): 9.027593, 31.002534
Participant type: Central state actor
Local armed group
Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder
Mediator, facilitator or similar: Mediator or similar referred to
Mediator (references): Mediator: His Grace Most Reverend Dr. Daniel Deng Bul Chairman, High Level Committee for Reconciliation and Mediation (secondary source states that Archbishop Bul led a team of mediators, see references UNMIS 2011)
Type of mediator/facilitator/similar

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture): No specific mention.
Grievance List: Page 1, PREAMBLE, Determined to put an end to all acts of violence within southern Sudan that may jeopardize the attainment of this goal;
Conscious of the fact that this crisis was triggered off by infighting within the same political organization - SPLM, and which induced military confrontations within the SPLA; and to which the Parties have expressed unconditional allegiance;
Determined to peacefully resolve all arm conflicts and military confrontations through dialogue;
Cattle rustling/banditry: No specific mention.
Social cover: No specific mention.

Ceasefire Framework Agreement between the SPLA and Lt.

Gen George Athor's Forces

Malakal, Upper Nile State, Southern Sudan

5th January 2011

PREAMBLE

Fully committed to the consolidation of peace, stability and security in Southern Sudan;

Aware that the lack of the e critical ingredients put to risk the major historical achievement of the people of Southern Sudan - which is the exercise of the right of self-determination in a free and fair and internationally supervised referendum;

Determined to put to an end to all acts of violence within southern Sudan that may jeopardize the attainment of this goal;

Conscious of the fact that this crisis was triggered off by infighting within the same political organization - SPLM, and which induced military confrontations within the SPLA;

and to which the Parties have expressed unconditional allegiance;

Determined to peacefully resolve all armed conflicts and military confrontations through dialogue;

Resolved to put into practice he executive pardon decree issued by the President of the Government of southern Sudan (GOSS) with regards to incidents in Pigi and Pibor Counties of Jonglei State and other similar incidents in Unity and Upper Nile States;

Cognizant of the fact that the gains of the recent All South's Political Parties Consensus Building Conference held in Juba and the milestones that it laid for the smooth birth of an independent state in southern Sudan should the vote in the referendum confirm secession,

Now, we the undersigned Parties agree on the following Ceasefire Framework:

THE CEASEFIRE MODALITIES AND ARRANGEMENTS

1. General and Fundamental Provisions

1.1 The parties have dully agreed to collaborate to observe and respect the ceasefire Agreement and resort to their own wisdom to contain and solve any problem that may arise;

1.2 The parties shall refrain from any act or acts that may in any way destroy the ceasefire agreement.

They shall perpetually create and uphold a favourable atmosphere for peace and tranquillity;

1.3 The ceasefire Agreement shall ensure clarity by eliminating any room for ambiguity in any elements of the ceasefire Agreement;

1.4 The ceasefire Agreement shall guarantee the free movement of civilians, goods and services in the ceasefire Zones;

1.5 The parties through the Joint Coordinating committee (JCC) shall, within the ceasefire Agreement Zones provide and share information and statistics on their arms, military equipment and the strength of their troops, and any other relevant information;

1.6 The parties shall commit themselves to release all prisoners of conflict at their custody.

1.7 The Parties shall commit the selves to render and facilitate humanitarian assistance through creation of conditions conducive to the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance to affected com unities and the displaced persons and their right to return to their respective areas.

1.8 The Parties agree to inform the rank and file of their armed forces as a way of popularizing the Ceasefire;

1.9 The Parties shall commit themselves that forces, troops under their respective command at all levels and rank and file shall equally and fully ceasefire and end hostilities;

1.10 The Parties shall work to promote and disseminate peace culture and confidence building among and between the people as well as their forces as a fundamental part of the Ceasefire Agreement and sustain Peace;

1.11 The Parties agree not to form, train, recruit and harbour on their respective areas of control, or render any form of support to external subversive elements or internal armed groups;

2. Entry into Force

The Ceasefire Agreement between the parties shall come into effect from the day of signature of the Ceasefire framework Agreement (that day hereafter referred to as 0-Day).

3. The Parties to this Agreement

3. 1.

The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), with all its formations and units and

3.2. Lt.

Gen. George Athor Force’s, with all its formations and units.

4. Principles of the Ceasefire

4.1. The Parties agree to a permanent ceasefire among all their forces with the broader objective of sustaining the ending of the current conflict between the parties, promoting peace culture, reconciliation and confidence building among the people of Southern Sudan;

4.2. The permanent cessation of hostilities shall include final termination of the following activities:

4.2. 1.

Any Military activities including troop movement, reconnaissance, reinforcement, recruitment, Air dropping, and military exercises.

4.2.2.

Notwithstanding the stipulations of Article 4.2.1, administrative movements that are deemed necessary and verified by the Joint Coordinating Committee shall be jointly authorized by the Parties.

4.2.2.

Land, air, and river operations;

4.2.3.

Laying of mines and other subversive activities;

4.2.4.

Use of force against and abuse of civilians;

4.2.5.

Replenishment of ammunition, weapons and other lethal or military equipment;

4.2.6.

Hostile propaganda from inside or outside the country;

4.2.7.

Occupation of new locations;

4.2.8.

Any other actions that may impede the normal progress of the ceasefire process.

5. The Ceasefire Zones

For the purposes of this ceasefire agreement, the ceasefire zone shall encompass the following areas:

5.1. Pigi and Pibor Counties of Jonglei State;

5.2. Shilluk Kingdom;

5.3 Mayom and Koc Counties of the Unity State.

6. Scope of the Ceasefire:

6.1. The ceasefire activities shall be divided into two phases:

6.1.1 Phase I:

Transit Points

the following transit points are agreed by the parties:

6.1.1.1 Obay, for Shillluk Kingdom.

6.1.1.2 Pading, for Lou Nuer A) a.

6.1.1.3 Kai for Gawar Area.

6.1.2 The period of temporary gathering of General Athor's forces into Transit Points, for a period of not more than 7 days from the day of signing of this Ceasefire Agreement.

6.1.3 Phase II:

Assembly Areas

Lt. Gen. George Athor Force shall assemble pending integration process in the following assembly areas:

6.1.3.1 In Jonglei State (a) Pigi County:

Korwai, Kol-Nyang and Kol-liet while the two forces collocate in Dor, and ( ) Pibor County General Athor Forces shall assemble in Partet.

6.1.3.2 In Unity State the two forces shall collocate in Wang-Kai.

7. Violations

7.1. The following acts shall constitute violations to this Ceasefire Agreement:

7.1.1.

Any acts that may breach this Ceasefire Agreement;

7.1.2.

Any unauthorized movement and deployment of troops;

7.1.3.

Any unauthorized recruitment, Air dropping and/or mobilization drive;

7.1.4.

Any unauthorized replenishment of military equipment and supplies;

7.1.5.

Hostile acts that may aggravate confrontation;

7. 1.6.

Violation of human rights, humanitarian law and obstruction of freedom of movement of civil population;

7.1.7.

Hostile propaganda and media contention;

7.1.8.

Espionage, sabotage, and acts of subversion to undermine either party and/or the Ceasefire Agreement;

8. Disengagement

8.1. There shall be lines of disengagement according to the assembly areas;

8.2. On the declaration of the ceasefire, the forces of the SPLA and the forces of Lt.

Gen. George Athor shall maintain their current positions;

8.3. All forces shall remain in their current positions and move to agreed assembly areas by D-Day + 5.

8.4. All forces shall be disengaged, separated, encamped in their assembly points, waiting for integration;

9. Permitted Activities

In view of negative consequences of the strife between SPLA and Lt.

Gen. George Athor forces, the key principle that s all underpin permitted activities shall be to alleviate the effects of the conflict on the civilians and the affected areas and to galvanize popular support for peace.

Permitted activities shall therefore include:

9.1. Humanitarian activities such as securing unimpeded access to humanitarian relief according to agreed regulation ·

9.2. Socioeconomic activities s eh as assisting free movement of civilians, goods and services;

9.3. Free movement with permits of unarmed soldiers in plain clothes who are on leave, medical referrals, or visiting their families;

9.4. Administrative movement which include supply of non-lethal items (food, water, medicine, medical evacuation, fuel, oils and lubricants, stationery, uniform etc.);

10. Joint Coordinating Committee:

10.1.

Shall be composed of the equal members from SPLA and Lt.

Gen. George Athor forces;

10.2.

Shall facilitate the movement of troops to assembly areas;

organize logistics and supply and any other arising needs;

11. Ceasefire and Monitoring Committee

11.1.

Where and whenever.

1 deemed necessary, the Ceasefire Joint Coordinating Committee (OCC) shall see support from the existing CPA Ceasefire monitoring mechanisms.

Signed by

Brigadier General Michael Majur Aleer

for the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA)

Major General Abraham Thon Chol

for General George Athor Forces

Witnessed by:

His Grace Most Reverend Dr. Daniel Deng Bul

Chairman, High Level Committee for Reconciliation and Mediation