Khartoum Peace Agreement (KPA) Between the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement-In Government and the Agwelek Forces

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Country/entity: South Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Khartoum Peace Agreement (KPA) Between the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement-In Government and the Agwelek Forces
Date: 16 Jan 2022
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate 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: Government/territory
Peace process: South Sudan post-secession process
Parties: For SPLM-IG. Gen. Akol Koor Kuc, Director General Internal Security Bureau- NSS.

For Agwelek Forces. Gen. Johnson Olony Thubo, Chairman of Agwelek Forces.

Gen. Marshal Stephen Babanen. Chief of Military Intelligence - SSPDF.
Third parties: Agreement witnessed by: Hon. Tut Gatiuak Manime, Presidential Advisor on NS Affairs Witness.

Mrs. Victoria Arop Odhong. Women Representative.

Cde. John Opec Akokjak. Elder, Community Leader.
Description: Peace Agreement which acts as a ceasefire between SPLM-IG and Agwelek splinter group of SPLM-IO. Has provisions on land boundaries, return of assets, merger of Agwelek forces into SSPDF, and political representation.

Agreement document: SS_220116_Khartoum Peace Agreement (KPA) – Between the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement – In Government and The Agwelek Forces.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Main category: Pages 1-2, Preamble. Reaffirming our recommitments to prioritizing dialogue as a means to settle or resolve conflicts demonstrated by the current negotiations, we the parties with involvement of community leaders, religious leaders and women's representatives have agreed as follows.

Page 4, signatures. Witnessed by Mrs. Victoria Arop Odhong, Women Representative

Women, girls and gender

Participation: No specific mention.
Equality: No specific mention.
Particular groups of women: No specific mention.
International law: No specific mention.
New institutions: No specific mention.
Violence against women: No specific mention.
Transitional justice: No specific mention.
Institutional reform: No specific mention.
Development: No specific mention.
Implementation: Implementation→Signing or witnessing agreement
Pages 1-2, Preamble. Reaffirming our recommitments to prioritizing dialogue as a means to settle or resolve conflicts demonstrated by the current negotiations, we the parties with involvement of community leaders, religious leaders and women's representatives have agreed as follows.

Page 4, signatures. Witnessed by Mrs. Victoria Arop Odhong, Women Representative
Other: No specific mention.

Khartoum Peace Agreement (KPA) Between the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement Government

And The Agwelek Forces

January 16, 2022 Khartoum, Sudan

The SPLM -IGis delegation led and represented by Hon.

Tut Gatluak Manime, Presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs and the Agwelek Forces under the command of Gen. Johnson Olony Thubo Dak met on 16th January 2022 in Khartoum, Sudan and deliberated on matters raised and outlined in the position paper (attached) and referred to in this as peace agreement between the SPLM -IG and Agwelek Forces.

Expressing our deep regret for the suffering endured and continues to be perpetuated on the people of South Sudan and more particularly the communities of the Upper Nile State as a result of armed conflicts.

Determined to put aside our differences in all its manifestations in order to promote the factors that are common to us and which unite us and work collectively for the realization of the higher interests of the people of the Upper Nile State and the country at large.

Aware of the fact that, peaceful coexistence, unity, rule of law, reconciliation and development of Upper Nile State and the country is an aspiration of all our communities and the people of South Sudan.

Reaffirming our unwavering determination to put an end to the suffering of our people by addressing the root causes underlying the persisting and enduring conflicts, insecurity, hatred and political Instability which hampers the social and economic development in the Upper Nile State and South Sudan at large;

Reaffirming our recommitments to prioritizing dialogue as a mean to settle or re e conflicts demonstrated by the current negotiations, we the parties with involvement of community leaders, religious leaders and women representatives have agreed as follows.

1. Land and Communal Matters:

1.1. The two parties agreed that the Chollo area's boundaries should be resolved as it stood on 1/1/1956 maps and as provided for in the R-ARCISS.

1.2. The two parties agreed that the Chollo and Dinka Apadang communities in Upper Nile and Ruweng shall engage in peaceful dialogue as communities to find amicable solutions to land matters and promote peaceful coexistence.

1.3. Religious leaders will be involved in the processes of implementing this peace agreement as well as engaging in various community peace and reconciliation conferences.

1.4. Return of individuals' unmovable assets (houses and shops) illegally occupied during the conflict.

The state authorities will facilitate the return of individual homes and shops illegally or unlawfully occupied by illegal occupants in Malakai and other towns in Upper Nile State, which will allow the rightful owners repossession.

2. Military and Security matters:

2.1. The two parties agreed that Agwelek forces shall immediately and peacefully disengage and remain independent from the SPLM/A I0 mainstream;

2.2. The two parties agreed that the Agwelek forces and SSPDF will recommit to maintain the current and existing ceasefire until the reintegration processes are concluded and agreed not to engage in any violence with any forces in the area of responsibility.

2.3. The parties agreed that the Agwelek forces shall promptly integrate into the SSPDF with due consideration of known military formation and applicable criteria.

2.4. The two parties agreed that amnesty will be granted to the leadership and Agwelek forces within the period of one week of the disengagement as outlined in the agreement between the SPLM-IG and the SPLM/A IO Kit-Gwang faction.

2.5. The parties agreed that a minimum force of 500 police force will be deployed in Kit-Gwang/Majenis to provide protection (see the status of the force agreement between SPLM/A IO Kit-Gwang and the SPLM-IG in Khartoum, Sudan).

3. Political matters:

3.1. The two parties agreed on the political representation of the Agwelek forces (political elements) both at the state and national levels.

3.1.1.

The parties agreed to further engage on the detailed allocation of political positions at the parties' leadership level.

3.2. The two parties agreed that there shall be a community forum for peace and reconciliation between the Chollo, Dinka Apadang in Upper Nile State and Ruweng to promote peaceful coexistence and the government shall provide necessary support.

3.3. The parties agreed that heads of command or security forces and state judges should not come from officers who hail from the Upper Nile State to avoid partisan politics or involvement in local community politics.

3.4. The parties agreed that the headquarters of Makal county should be based in Malakal town as previously exercised and any claims or conflicts over this should be further resolved by the communities or inhabitants of the Upper Nile State with the government's facilitation.

This Khartoum peace agreement between the two referred to as SPLM-IG and Agwelek forces shall come into effect by the date of its signing.

For SPLM- IG

Gen. Akol Koor Kuc,

Director General

Intemal Security Bureau- NSS

For Agwelek Forces

Gen. Johnson Olony Thubo,

Chairman of Agwelek Forces

Gen. Marshal Stephen Babanen

Chief or Military Intelligence -SSPDF

Witnessed by:

Hon. Tut Gatluak Manime,

Presidential Advisor on NS Affairs

Witness

Mrs. Victoria Arop Odhong

Women Representative

Cde. John Opec Akokjak

Elder, Community Leader