Lou Nuer-Dinka Bor-Murle Action for Peace, Jonglei State

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Country/entity: South Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Lou Nuer-Dinka Bor-Murle Action for Peace, Jonglei State
Date: 25 Mar 2021
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: Liyliy Yieh Chan - Lou Nuer Youth Leaders' Representative
Kangach Chiok Deng - Lou Nuer Paramount Chiefs' Representative
Mary Nyapet Puok - Lou Nuer Women's Representative
Alek Many - Dinka Bor Youth Leaders' Representative
Malak Ayuen Mayen + Dinka Bor Paramount Chiefs’ Represenative
Alek Manyuon Deng – Dinka Bor Women’s Representative
Turyal Peluk Oleyo – Murle Youth Leaders’ Representative
Nyathiko Gola Labarech – Murle Paramount Chiefs’ Representative
Mary Beri Oleyeo – Murle Women’s Representative
Third parties: Page 5:
Guaranteed by

Gok Deng Dak Kueth Deng

Spiritual leader

...

The facilitation of the Conference was supported by UK Aid, USAID and UNMISS
Description: This local agreement aims to resolve the violent conflict between the Lou Nuer, Dinka Bor,and Murle groups in Jonglei, South Sudan. The violence among these groups resulted in deaths, abductions of women and children, cattle theft. This agreement is the result of wide inter-communal talks, which included the chiefs, women's groups and youth groups, and which were supported by Gok Deng Dak Kueth Deng (Spiritual leader) and facilitated by UK Aid, USAID and UNMISS. In the agreement, the communities pledge to support peace efforts, and develop modalities for punishment of perpetrators, return of abducted women and children, and return of stolen cattle.

Agreement document: SS_210324 Dinka Bor Murle Agreement.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Main category: Page 1:
Preamble
We, representatives of youth leaders, traditional leaders, and women from the Dinka Bor, Murle and Lou Nuer communities;
Aware that the current conflict has caused deep and prolonged suffering in all our communities, particularly affecting women and children;

Page 2:
Resolutions
1. Regarding abducted children and women
1.1. Youth leaders are the ones to lead the collection of abducted children.
1.2. Women have committed to participate in the child identification and recovery effort.
1.3. Collection will be done in close collaboration with chiefs and local authorities in the areas. If someone refuses to surrender a child, the government can intervene.
1.4. The Conference agrees that the reunification process will be ongoing, beginning with the exchange of all the women and children currently held in Pibor and Pieri.
1.5. The Conference requests construction of transitional centres for children in Pieri, Pibor and Bor Town that include provision for incoming and outgoing abductees. This may be extended to Akobo East and possible other centres.
1.6. NGOs are requested to support with the construction and services of the transitional centres and with transporting of the women and children.
1.7. Youth leaders and chiefs, as necessary, are to travel between communities during the collection of abducted children so as to help the tracing process.
1.8. Reunification of children is to be undertaken as soon as practicable in order that communities build trust and confidence in the peace process, also to encourage perpetrators and communities to surrender the remaining children.
1.9. Final verification can be completed through the transitional centres.
1.10. In more complicated cases, for example women who were abducted and have become mothers, will first be returned and if there is a marriage request the case can be picked up from their community of origin.
1.11. Women demanded that they be included in all steps of these processes.

Page 3-4:
5. Regarding the dissemination of the Peace
5.4. The women have underlined the importance of peace and reconciliation, love and forgiveness, and praying to God together for mercy and grace. Women will return and commit to warning their sons to stop raiding other communities. If a problem persists, they have warned they will milk out the milk from their breasts to the floor as a curse to the young men who have violated the peace.
5.5. Women from the three communities must stand up to ensure that this peace is holding, particularly through advocacy and moving between locations, talking to people. Women must unite, regardless of their tribe. They should be provided with communication tools, as well as the men. Women have requested radio talk shows to publicise the message of peace among the three tribes; to be known nationwide, regionally, and globally.
5.6. Women propose the formation of a Women's Peace Committee, and three (one from each community) appointed as an initial Steering Committee. They request being given a uniform of the same colour and this committee is the one to move from Dinka Bor to Murle to Lou Nuer as a Committee that preaches peace. If the women are together in a location, youth may also fear to attack.
5.7. Women will encourage inter-marriages between the three tribes; they are the guardians of the daughters.

Page 4:
6. Regarding measures to strengthen development
...
6.1.2. Women request equitable provision of tailoring machines, soap making and other activities for women.
6.1.3. The Conference, and women in particular, repeated the proposal for a tri-communal boarding school to be established in the border areas, for confidence and trust building. The Conference also proposed the introduction of Pastoralist Education schemes.
6.1.4. Women request for micro-finance schemes for youth in order for them to improve livelihoods.
...
6.1.8. Women have proposed the establishment of business centres and cooperatives for women of the three communities in different locations across the Greater Jonglei.

Page 5:
Signed
...
Mary Nyapet Puok - Lou Nuer Women's Representative
...
Alek Manyuon Deng – Dinka Bor Women’s Representative
...
Mary Beri Oleyeo – Murle Women’s Representative

Women, girls and gender

Participation: Participation→Effective participation
Page 2:
Resolutions
1 . Regarding abducted children and women
...
1 .2. Women have committed to participate in the child identification and recovery effort.
...
1 .1 1 . Women demanded that they be included in all steps of these processes.
Equality: No specific mention.
Particular groups of women: Particular groups of women→Pregnancy/maternity
Page 2:
Resolutions
1 . Regarding abducted children and women
...
1 .1 0. In more complicated cases, for example women who were abducted and have become mothers, will first be returned and if there is a marriage request the case can be picked up from their community of origin.
1 .1 1 . Women demanded that they be included in all steps of these processes.
International law: No specific mention.
New institutions: No specific mention.
Violence against women: Violence against women→Gender-based violence/VAW (general)
Page 2:
Resolutions
1 . Regarding abducted children and women
1 .1 . Youth leaders are the ones to lead the collection of abducted children.
1 .2. Women have committed to participate in the child identification and recovery effort.
1 .3. Collection will be done in close collaboration with chiefs and local authorities in the areas. If someone refuses to surrender a child, the government can intervene.
1 .4. The Conference agrees that the reunification process will be ongoing, beginning with the exchange of all the women and children currently held in Pibor and Pieri.
1 .5. The Conference requests construction of transitional centres for children in Pieri, Pibor and Bor Town that include provision for incoming and outgoing abductees. This may be extended to Akobo East and possible other centres.
1 .6. NGOs are requested to support with the construction and services of the transitional centres and with transporting of the women and children.
1 .7. Youth leaders and chiefs, as necessary, are to travel between communities during the collection of abducted children so as to help the tracing process.
1 .8. Reunification of children is to be undertaken as soon as practicable in order that communities build trust and confidence in the peace process, also to encourage perpetrators and communities to surrender the remaining children.
1 .9. Final verification can be completed through the transitional centres.
1 .1 0. In more complicated cases, for example women who were abducted and have become mothers, will first be returned and if there is a marriage request the case can be picked up from their community of origin.
1 .1 1 . Women demanded that they be included in all steps of these processes.
Transitional justice: No specific mention.
Institutional reform: No specific mention.
Development: Development→Rehabilitation and reconstruction
Page 4: 6. Regarding measures to strengthen development
...
6.1.2. Women request equitable provision of tailoring machines, soap making and other activities for women.
...
6.1.4. Women request for micro-finance schemes for youth in order for them to improve livelihoods.
...
6.1.8. Women have proposed the establishment of business centres and cooperatives for women of the three communities in different locations across the Greater Jonglei.
Development→Education
Page 4:
6. Regarding measures to strengthen development
...
6.1.3. The Conference, and women in particular, repeated the proposal for a tri-communal boarding school to be established in the border areas, for confidence and trust building. The Conference also proposed the introduction of Pastoralist Education schemes.
Implementation: Implementation→Women's role and consideration in implementation of the agreement
Page 3-4:
5. Regarding the dissemination of the Peace
5.4. The women have underlined the importance of peace and reconciliation, love and forgiveness, and praying to God together for mercy and grace. Women will return and commit to warning their sons to stop raiding other communities. If a problem persists, they have warned they will milk out the milk from their breasts to the floor as a curse to the young men who have violated the peace.
5.5. Women from the three communities must stand up to ensure that this peace is holding, particularly through advocacy and moving between locations, talking to people. Women must unite, regardless of their tribe. They should be provided with communication tools, as well as the men. Women have requested radio talk shows to publicise the message of peace among the three tribes; to be known nationwide, regionally, and globally.
5.6. Women propose the formation of a Women's Peace Committee, and three (one from each community) appointed as an initial Steering Committee. They request being given a uniform of the same colour and this committee is the one to move from Dinka Bor to Murle to Lou Nuer as a Committee that preaches peace. If the women are together in a location, youth may also fear to attack.
5.7. Women will encourage inter-marriages between the three tribes; they are the guardians of the daughters.
Implementation→Signing or witnessing agreement
Page 5:
Signed
...
Mary Nyapet Puok - Lou Nuer Women's Representative
...
Alek Manyuon Deng – Dinka Bor Women’s Representative
...
Mary Beri Oleyeo – Murle Women’s Representative
Other: No specific mention.

Lou Nuer-Dinka Bor-Murle

Action for Peace

24 March 2021 | Pieri I Jonglei State

The Peace Process

On 09 September 2020, through the Bor Communiqué, communities committed to 'a bottom-up approach as the only means to achieve peace through inv olvement of youth [and] local leaders of each area'.

The communities also agreed that there is a need to... [involve] fighting youth at the grassroot level by conducting peace conferences'.

On 70 December 2020, traditional and armed youth leaders of the Lou Nuer and Murle communities met in Pieri to make a resolution for peace in a spear ceremony led by Spiritual Leader, Gok Deng Dak Kueth.

From 14-18 January 2021, to expand the peace process and supporting the will of the communities for peace, Murle and Dinka Bor ArmedYouth leadership convened for a peacebuilding exchange in Rumbek,

Lakes State.

The youth leaders signed a mutual commitment to peace, witnessed by galweng leaders of Rup, Pakam, Kuei, Aliam Toc 7 and Aliam Toc 2.

From 3-6 February 2027, implementing s 5.1 of the Rumbek Commitment to Peace, youth leaders from Dinka Bor, Murle and Lou Nuer together led a peace caravan through Pibor, Pieri and Poktap, to affirm publicly to local communities their commitment to peace.

From 15-25 March 2027, implementing s 5.2 of the Rumbek Commitment to Peace, subsequently affirmed during the peace caravan, 18 delegates from each of the three communities —comprised of women, youth leaders and traditional leaders — have met in Pieri under the stewardship of the Nuer Spiritual Leader, Gok Deng Dak Kueth, to discuss practical steps forward that could give all communities confidence in the peace.

The Conference has discussed the impact of the conflict, as well as addressing questions of abduction, cattle raiding and killing of innocent civilians and the measures that need to be put in place.

Preamble

We, representatives of youth leaders, traditional leaders, and women from the Dinka Bor, Murle and Lou Nuer communities;

Aware that the current conflict has caused deep and prolonged suffering in all our communities, particularly affecting women and children;

Appreciating that the political leadership of the country and the State has allowed the current process to be led by the community;

Conscious of the different spirituartraditions within the Greater Jonglei and the Pibor

Administrative Area, and that all these traditions recognise the value of peace;

Grateful for the spiritual leadership of Gok Deng Dak Kueth in the course of this peace process, including the ritual sacrificing of four bulls at different stages of the Conference to strengthen the covenant between all communities;

Recognising that the conflict in South Sudan began in Greater Jonglei and that peace in our region can encourage peace elsewhere across the country;

Have agreed to the following:

Resolutions

1 . Regarding abducted children and women

1 .1 .

Youth leaders are the ones to lead the collection of abducted children.

1 .2.

Women have committed to participate in the child identification and recovery effort.

1 .3.

Collection will be done in close collaboration with chiefs and local authorities in the areas.

If someone refuses to surrender a child, the government can intervene.

1 .4.

The Conference agrees that the reunification process will be ongoing, beginning with the exchange of all the women and children currently held in Pibor and Pieri.

1 .5.

The Conference requests construction of transitional centres for children in Pieri, Pibor and Bor Town that include provision for incoming and outgoing abductees.

This may be extended to Akobo East and possible other centres.

1 .6.

NGOs are requested to support with the construction and services of the transitional centres and with transporting of the women and children.

1 .7.

Youth leaders and chiefs, as necessary, are to travel between communities during the collection of abducted children so as to help the tracing process.

1 .8.

Reunification of children is to be undertaken as soon as practicable in order that communities build trust and confidence in the peace process, also to encourage perpetrators and communities to surrender the remaining children.

1 .9.

Final verification can be completed through the transitional centres.

1 .1 0.

In more complicated cases, for example women who were abducted and have become mothers, will first be returned and if there is a marriage request the case can be picked up from their community of origin.

1 .1 1 .

Women demanded that they be included in all steps of these processes.

2. Regarding Cattle-related incidents since December

2.1. All three communities condemned ongoing criminal incidents, and underlined the urgency of finding a more conclusive response to ongoing criminal raids.

2.2. Cattle stolen since the December Pieri Agreement must be returned to their rightful owners.

The meeting commends the GPAA Chiefs and Youth Leaders for collecting some of the stolen cattle.

2.3. Cattle losses, including the colour of individual cattle, are to be registered before the transfer of cattle.

2.4. Murle are to separate the cattle that were stolen on the side of Dinka Bor from those stolen on the side of Lou Nuer, and drive them to Gadiang and Pieri, respectively.

They will be accompanied by local government officials.

2.5. Returned cattle will be processed by the local authorities in those centres, and that process will be their responsibility.

3. Regarding future cattle related incidents

3.1. Youth strongly affirmed their ownership of the peace process and commitment to stop attacks.

3.2. All communities reject immediate retaliation against incidents.

It is not a legitimate response to conflict incidents.

3.3. The Conference noted that Murle youth are still dispersed in bush areas and have not received the peace message.

They are suspected to be those violating the agreement since December.

3.4. The Conference accepted that the Murle would be given further time to address issues of ongoing theft in these bush areas.

3.5. The Youth Leaders will form a Peace Implementation Committee that will be the appropriate channel for reporting and peacefully responding to any future cattle related incidents.

3.6. The Youth proposed that the Committee should be facilitated to move for two weeks every two months to cover the dissemination of the peace across the three greater areas and address any emerging issues.

3.7. Youth Leaders proposed that there be established a joint protection force of the three youth communities, to be deployed as needed by the Peace Implementation Committee.

4. Regarding traditional justice and governance mechanisms

4.1. Perpetrators since the beginning of this process, 10 December 2021 , must be arrested and face the justice process.

4.2. If a perpetrator remains in hiding, the Chief of their community will be arrested as the community representative responsible for his community.

4.3. The traditional chiefs call for the establishment of a Traditional Leaders' Circuit Court that moves through the three communities to address inter-communal issues.

The Court would be responsible for addressing issues of inter-communal raiding, abductions and violence, and disputes over abducted children, and women.

4.4. The Conference requests the support of the international community with the transport and logistics of the Traditional Leaders' Circuit Court.

4.5. Traditional leaders requested capacity building on good governance, with particular reference to conflict resolution.

4.6. The Chiefs have said the compensation must be paid for the deaths in the period since December.

The agreed compensation for the recent killings should be 50 cows.

5. Regarding the dissemination of the Peace

5.1. Following the Conference, Chiefs commit to taking an active role in the dissemination of the Pieri Action for Peace, in Pibor and Bor, and with any communities who need to hear the message, as well asA•vith the community leaders of the three Greater regions.

5.2. The Chiefs will also take responsibility for appropriate rituals to be conducted in Pibor and Bor to complement the ceremonies in Pieri led by Dak Kueth.

5.3. The Conference agreed that the communities of Ayod and Jikany need to be reached urgently with the peace dissemination.

The communities propose a caravan to take leaders from those communities to the other two sides.

5.4. The women have underlined the importance of peace and reconciliation, love and forgiveness, and praying to God together for mercy and grace.

Women will return and commit to warning their sons to stop raiding other communities.

If a problem persists, they have warned they will milk out the milk from their breasts to the floor as a curse to the young men who have violated the peace.

5.5. Women from the three communities must stand up to ensure that this peace is holding, particularly through advocacy and moving between locations, talking to people.

Women must unite, regardless of their tribe.

They should be provided with communication tools, as well as the men.

Women have requested radio talk shows to publicise the message of peace among the three tribes;

to be known nationwide, regionally, and globally.

5.6. Women propose the formation of a Women's Peace Committee, and three (one from each community) appointed as an initial Steering Committee.

They request being given a uniform of the same colour and this committee is the one to move from Dinka Bor to Murle to Lou Nuer as a Committee that preaches peace.

If the women are together in a location, youth may also fear to attack.

5.7. Women will encourage inter-marriages between the three tribes;

they are the guardians of the daughters.

5.8. Youth leaders requested three Thuraya phones, or a general improvement to mobile network coverage, to facilitate their work of collecting the abducted children, curb cattle raiding and related criminal activities.

5.9. The Conference agreed that a representative delegation from the Pieri meeting would travel to Juba to disseminate the Action for Peace among the Country's leadership.

6. Regarding measures to strengthen development

6.1. The Conference reaffirmed the development priorities outlined in Section 6 of the Rumbek Commitment to Peace, with further emphasis on the following:

6.1.1.

Roads as a critical enabler of livelihoods, especially between Pibor and Pieri, between Twic East and Pibor, and between Lekuangole and Akobo, as a supplement to the existing international agency plans.

6.1.2.

Women request equitable provision of tailoring machines, soap making and other activities for women.

6.1.3.

The Conference, and women in particular, repeated the proposal for a tri-communal boarding school to be established in the border areas, for confidence and trust building.

The Conference also proposed the introduction of Pastoralist Education schemes.

6.1.4.

Women request for micro-finance schemes for youth in order for them to improve livelihoods.

6.1.5.

Youth have requested seed funding to establish a revolving fund, to be administered jointly by the Youth Peace Implementation Committee.

6.1.6.

The Conference requested the provision of agricultural tools and vocational training for youth, to transition to a sustainable livelihood beyond conflict.

6.1.7.

Common Markets will be an essential factor of trade and improved livelihoods across the Greater regions.

6.1.8.

Women have proposed the establishment of business centres and cooperatives for women of the three communities in different locations across the Greater Jonglei.

Signed

Liyliy Yieh Chan - Lou Nuer Youth Leaders' Representative

Kangach Chiok Deng - Lou Nuer Paramount Chiefs' Representative

Mary Nyapet Puok - Lou Nuer Women's Representative

Alek Many - Dinka Bor Youth Leaders' Representative

Malak Ayuen Mayen + Dinka Bor Paramount Chiefs’ Represenative

Alek Manyuon Deng – Dinka Bor Women’s Representative

Turyal Peluk Oleyo – Murle Youth Leaders’ Representative

Nyathiko Gola Labarech – Murle Paramount Chiefs’ Representative

Mary Beri Oleyeo – Murle Women’s Representative

Guaranteed by

Gok Deng Dak Kueth Deng

Spiritual leader

24 March 2021

Pieri, Jonglei, South Sudan

The facilitation of the Conference was supported by UK Aid, USAID and UNMISS