Convention for fraternity and peaceful co-existence between Messiriya Tribes, (Ajaira) and the Denka of Abyei: 3 – 11 October 2001

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Country/entity: South Sudan
Sudan
Southern Kordofan - Blue Nile - Abyei
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Convention for fraternity and peaceful co-existence between Messiriya Tribes, (Ajaira) and the Denka of Abyei: 3 – 11 October 2001
Date: 11 Oct 2001
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: Pre-secession Local Peace Processes
Parties: Messeriya tribes (Ajaira) and the Dinka of Abyei
Third parties: -
Description: The Convention for Fraternity and Peaceful Coexistence between the Messiriya Tribes (Ajaira) and the Denka of Abyei, held from October 3-11, 2001, was a local peace agreement in the Abyei area of South Sudan. The agreement aimed to restore peaceful coexistence between the two tribes, who had previously coexisted peacefully for many years, but had experienced friction due to rebellion. The recommendations of the agreement included denouncing differences and factors of conflict, twinning between the tribes on pasture, agriculture, and other resources, ensuring the rights of citizenship for both tribes, and forming joint committees to tour states where displaced persons from Abyei currently live, among others.

Agreement document: SS_SD_011011_Convention for fraternity and peaceful co-existence between Messiriya Tribes, (Ajaira) and the Denka of Abyei.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type: Informal but persistent process
Rationale: This agreement is one of many between the Messiriya and Dinka in Abyei, however this particular process does not seem to be supported by or connected to a peace process with formal support mechanisms.
Is there a documented link to a national peace process?: No
Link to national process: articulated rationale: The agreement does not specify a clear link to the national peace process.
Name of Locale: Abyei
Nature of Locale: Region
GPS Lat/Long (DD): 11.033700, 27.746185
Participant type: Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations
Mediator, facilitator or similar: No mention of mediator or similar

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture): Page 1, 3. Muglad Conference, attended by 52 persons representing both sections of the Messiriya. This meeting ratified the recommendations from both conferences as following, acting on God's words, [from the Holy Quran]: 0 ye people! We have created thee from a male and female and made of thee nations and tribes to know one another.
Grievance List: No specific mention.
Cattle rustling/banditry: No specific mention.
Social cover: No specific mention.

Annex 1:

Convention for fraternity and peaceful co-existence between Messiriya Tribes, (Ajaira) and the Denka of Abyei:

3 – 11 October 2001-10-23

Introduction

Tribes have peacefully coexisted in Abyei area for years.

Relationships between the Messiriya Ajaira and their brethrens the Abyei Dinka became a model of peaceful coexistence:

they were brothers in everything, sharing everything, sweet or sour;

speaking each other's language and giving their children the same names on both sides irrespective of ethnicity and religion.

Friction came with rebellion.

However, the Messiriya and the Dinka, who are on the borderline and who have learned lessons, stood firmly against the enemies of peace.

Today, the sons of Abyei Province sat together under the auspices of their respective tribal leadership, to restore that coexistence, taking advantage of their knowledge of current relationships between tribal groups to avoid all factors of discord.

In the period 3 – 11 October, 2001, the Abyei Popular Peace Committee with their brethren from Messiriya Ajaira concluded the following conferences and meetings:

1. Citep Conference, (4 – 7 October), attended by 48 from all clans of the Messiriya Awlad Kamil

2. Bitaikh Conference, (8-9 October 2001) attended by 63 persons representing all clans of Messiriya Ajaira

3. Muglad Conference, attended by 52 persons representing both sections of the Messiriya.

This meeting ratified the recommendations from both conferences as following, acting on God's words, [from the Holy Quran]:

0 ye people!

We have created thee from a male and female and made of thee nations and tribes to know one another.

Recommendations:

The [Muglad] conference recommends the following:

A declaration to denounce differences and factors of conflict between the tribes of the area

Twinning between Dinka and Messiriya tribes on pasture, agriculture and other resources

Tribal leaders, each in his areas of jurisdiction, to ensure the rights of citizenship for the two tribes.

To communicate with the sons of Abyei with the rebel movement in and outside the country so that they contribute to development and stability

To give a chance to the Emirs and section leaders, (the Abyei Peace Committee) to continue their contacts with their sons with the rebel movement for the a total peace in the area

Formation of a joint committee, which will tour all states where people from Abyei Dinka currently live so that they return home immediately to participate in development, stability and production.

Encourage and insure safety of agricultural production around Abyei by establishing model villages in Naam of Deng Majok, Urn Balayil, Banton, Tajalei

Formation of a committee from both tribes and to let them understand the contents of the Convention for Fraternal and Peaceful Coexistence.

Give priority for the return of displaced persons to their respective areas, particularly the villages around Abyei, availing adequate circumstances.

In conclusion, the conference recommends that a committee composed of leaders from both tribes to meet the sons of Abyei area in northern states calling them to return to the area.

The conference also calls upon the Government and peace loving agencies to support this committee, empowering it with all means to achieve its objectives.