Resolutions of Western Lakes State Grassroots Peace Initiative (Yei River State)

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Country/entity: South Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Resolutions of Western Lakes State Grassroots Peace Initiative (Yei River State)
Date: 17 May 2018
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: South Sudan: Post-secession Local agreements
Parties: Signed by the community's leaders of Western Lakes State as follows:

Jul Machok Lieny - Senior Chief, Western Lakes State
Manyiel Lieny Wol - Elder and Chief, Western Lakes State
Elizabeth Agok Anyijong - Women leader, Western Lakes State
Moses Deng Akeu - Youth Representative, Western Lakes State
Third parties: Witnessed by:

Most Rev. Bishop Elias Taban Parangi - Head of Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) Peace Desk

Hon. Mabor Meen Wol - Minister of LG&LE and Governor's Representative
Description: A short community agreement which calls for community reconciliation, dialogue, disarming of youth and reimposition of security and law by the local state government. The agreement also provides for measures to be carried out by the EPC in facilitating a space of healing and management of infrastructural rebuilding.

Agreement document: SS_180517_Resolutions of Western Lakes State Grassroots Peace Initiative.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type: Formal structured process
Rationale: As part of the Yei state grassroots initiatives, this can be viewed as a structured and supported process as part of a wider set of similar local community led initiatives. The process is supported by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) and further research around the provisions suggests that there are clear supporting mechanisms proposed as part of proposed ongoing dialogues and wider resolution of the conflict in Yei River state. It seems the EPC are supported by partners in implementing and managing this particular example, notably by the presence and support of local government representation and a US international organisation.
Is there a documented link to a national peace process?: Yes
Link to national process: articulated rationale: While there is no clear reference to the national process in the text, it seems these areas of Western Lakes State by their history may likely fall on a boundary connecting them to ongoing commitments from national agreement provisions addressing conflict transition and grassroots initiatives across regions of South Sudan. In the national agreement - Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan(12/09/2018), the provisions set out for the region of Bahr el Ghazal could be considered as addressing these areas as they were part of that region. This agreement could also be connected to the national agreement - Grassroots Agreement to Promote National Dialogue in Yei River State and South Sudan (30/04/2017), based on the text for this agreement now describing western lakes states being part of the wider Yei River State grassroots initiative. More broadly, further research suggests all grassroots peace initiatives are supported by the Church and are supposed to link up to the national but it has been questioned whether the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) have been effective in doing this. Nonetheless, a proposed linkage is clearly documented in the years around this local agreement.
Name of Locale: Western Lakes State
Nature of Locale: Region
GPS Lat/Long (DD): 6.808589, 29.635611
Participant type: Local state actor
Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder
Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations
Mediator, facilitator or similar: Mediator or similar referred to
Mediator (references): The mediator is directly referred to in the text as being Evangelical Presbyterian Church Bishop Elias Taban Parangi, who leads many of the similar peace initiatives across Yei state, managing and supporting further stages of dialogue going forward.
Type of mediator/facilitator/similar: Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture): No specific mention.
Grievance List: Page 1, Resolutions of Western Lakes State Grassroots Peace Initiative, 2. EPC is offered a land (240m x 200m) in Rumbek center to establish any or all of its services there such as Trauma Healing center...

Page 1, Resolutions of Western Lakes State Grassroots Peace Initiative, 3. The workshop resolved that, civilians and youth carrying unauthorized arms must be disarmed immediately by the Government.

Page 1, Resolutions of Western Lakes State Grassroots Peace Initiative, 4. (f) ... Government to implement disciplinary laws against deserters.

Page 1, Resolutions of Western Lakes State Grassroots Peace Initiative, 5. The workshop resolved that State Government must provide security in the State as well as restore the rule of law.
Cattle rustling/banditry: No specific mention.
Social cover: No specific mention.

EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - SOUTH

SUDAN OFFICE OF THE PEACE DESK

YEI RIVER STATE

Resolutions of Western Lakes State Grassroots Peace Initiative IWLSGPII

May 17th, 2018

The Western Lakes State Government officials, Community Leaders, Chiefs,Youth and Women gathered in Yei at the invitation of the Bishop of Evangelical Presbyterian Church Bishop Most Rev Elias Taban Parangi.

The delegation spent three days from May 14th, 2018 to May 17th 2018 in search for a lasting Peace for the communities and people of Western Lakes State.

The three day gathering was concluded with the following resolutions:

1. Peace building and healing conference be organized in Western Lakes State within the shortest possible time by the Most Rev. Bishop Elias Taban Parangi of EPC that brings all sons and daughters of Western Lakes State and all 6.

neighboring States to pray and dialogue.

2. EPC is offered a land (240m x 200m) in Rumbek center to establish any or all

of its services there such as Trauma Healing center, Health center, Church and so forth.

3. The workshop resolved that, civilians and youth carrying unauthorized arms must be disarmed immediately by the Government.

4. The workshop also resolved that lasting peace can be achieved through provision of basic services by well-wishers such as:

(a) Companies or organizations that can establish water points for both human and animal consumptions,

(b) Organizations that can establish Basic Nursery, Elementary and Vocational training for the Galwengs.

(d) Organizations that can connect the Western Lakes State to the world through radio provision and an extension of network companies.

(e) Organizations that can supply seeds and tools such as Oxen to improve food security.

(f) Organizations that can improve the living conditions of armed forces and

Government to implement disciplinary laws against deserters.

(g) EPC to lobby for Government, faith based groups and investors to create job opportunities.

5. The workshop resolved that State Government must provide security in the State as well as restore the rule of law.

The workshop resolved that peace building is achieved through:

(a) Youth engagement in income generation activities and training of organized forces to observe law and order

(b) EPC to lobby for organizations that will open micro-finance for small business to widows and orphans in Western Lake State.

EPC to send a small committee to go to Western Lakes State to go and verify the issues raised in this workshop.