Communique: Inter Communal Dialogue on the Cessation of Hostilities Declaration Meeting Between Defunct Tonj and Wau States

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Country/entity: South Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Communique: Inter Communal Dialogue on the Cessation of Hostilities Declaration Meeting Between Defunct Tonj and Wau States
Date: 18 Jun 2020
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: Defunct Tonj State Representatives:
Chikom Ayei Chikom, Paramount Chief, Tonj South - Yar;
Aguek Anyoun Pal, Women Representative, Tonj South - Tonj center;
Peter Mading Akec, Youth Representative, Tonj South - Tonj center;

Defunct Wau state Representatives:
Kon Aleu Yak, Paramount Chief, Jur River - Kuajiena;
Akella Akot Ngor, Women Representative, Jur River - Alur;
Elario Deng Aken, Youth Representative, Jur River - Kuajiena.
Third parties: Defunct Wau State:
Remijo Hassan Severio, Secretary General - Acting Governor, General Secretariat; Edward Wade Ubul, Director General - Acting Minister, Ministry of Local Government.

Defunct Tonj State:
Acting Secretary General, General Secretariat;
Augustino Akoch Agoth, Director General - Acting Minister, Ministry of Local Government.

UNMISS Civil Affairs Division, Human Rights and Partners of Peace Building and Reconciliation Working Group - PRWG (IOM, CEPO, CARDO, HARD and AYADA).
Description: Community representatives from Tonj South and Alur and Kuajiena met to resolve the conflict between their communities and discuss measures to bring about peace.

Agreement document: SS_200618_Communique Inter Communal Dialogue on the Cessation of Hostilities... (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Main category: The Community Leaders (Chiefs, Women, Youths and MPs) of Tonj South in Warrap State and Alur and Kuajiena in Western Bahr el Ghazal state on the 18th June 2020 converge in Kuajiena Payam head quarter, under the auspices of the two secretary generals of Wau and Tonj to deliberate on the status of ongoing hostilities between the communities of Tonj South and Alur and Kuajiena. After listening to statements by the paramount chiefs, women, youths and comments by the members of parliament from both Tonj and Alur and Kuajiena, the dialogue Meeting have unanimously agreed in presence of Secretary Generals –Tonj and Wau as here under: 2. Aguek Anyoun Pal | Women Representative | Tonj South – Tonj center 2. Akella Akot Ngor | Women Representative | Jur River -Alur

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
The Community Leaders (Chiefs, Women, Youths and MPs) of Tonj South in Warrap State and Alur and Kuajiena in Western Bahr el Ghazal state on the 18th June 2020 converge in Kuajiena Payam head quarter, under the auspices of the two secretary generals of Wau and Tonj to deliberate on the status of ongoing hostilities between the communities of Tonj South and Alur and Kuajiena.
After listening to statements by the paramount chiefs, women, youths and comments by the members of parliament from both Tonj and Alur and Kuajiena, the dialogue Meeting have unanimously agreed in presence of Secretary Generals –Tonj and Wau as here under:
2. Aguek Anyoun Pal | Women Representative | Tonj South – Tonj center
2. Akella Akot Ngor | Women Representative | Jur River -Alur
Other: No specific mention.

COMMUNIQUÉ

INTER COMMUNAL DIALOGUE ON THE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES

DECLARATION MEETING BETWEEN DEFUNCT

TONJ AND WAU STATES

VENUE:

KUEJIENA PAYAM HQ DATE:

THURSDAY, 18TH JUNE 2020

The Community Leaders (Chiefs, Women, Youths and MPs) of Tonj South in Warrap State and Alur and Kuajiena in Western Bahr el Ghazal state on the 18th June 2020 converge in Kuajiena Payam head quarter, under the auspices of the two secretary generals of Wau and Tonj to deliberate on the status of ongoing hostilities between the communities of Tonj South and Alur and Kuajiena.

The meeting was attended by Secretary General of defunct Wau state, Acting Secretary General of defunct Tonj state, Members of parliaments from Tonj South, Alur and Kuajiena, Directors Generals Ministry of local governments for Wau and Tonj.

Also, in attendance were UNMISS Civil Affairs Division, Human Rights and Partners of Peace Building and Reconciliation Working Group –PRWG (IOM, CEPO, CARDO, HARD and AYADA).

After listening to statements by the paramount chiefs, women, youths and comments by the members of parliament from both Tonj and Alur and Kuajiena, the dialogue Meeting have unanimously agreed in presence of Secretary Generals –Tonj and Wau as here under:

1. Reaffirmed our commitment for peaceful co-existence and stability in our communities and suggested dialogue for resolving differences.

2. Congratulated the people of Tonj South County in Warrap state and Alur and Kuajiena in Jur River County, Western Bahr el Ghazal state and appreciated the leadership of the defunct Tonj and Wau states under the Secretary Generals (Acting governors) for convening this important cessation of hostilities meeting.

3. Applauded the critical role played by the peace building and reconciliation partners including UNMISS for Wau and Kuajok in helping communities through their advocacy efforts during the hardship times of the hostilities and helping the affected population with humanitarian assistance on both sides.

4. Acknowledged and lauded the persistence and zeal of cooperation that continue between the two communities mostly the people of Alur and Kuajiena for adherence to brotherhood spirit.

5. Noted with concern all the atrocities committed on both sides including loss of many lives, properties and livestock and call for the immediate formation of the fact finding committee by the governments of Wau (WBeG) and Tonj (Warrap) states to facilitate effective and meaningful compensation of loses.

6. Further noted with concern the apparent lack of collegiality and harmony in the implementation and respect of the provisions of revised Marial-Bai agreement on cattle seasonal movement.

7. Alarmed by the continued carry of guns by an authorized person which is in violation of the provisions of Marial-Bai agreement and tri-state peace conference resolutions that is breeding mistrust and mutual suspicion among the communities, urges the authorities from both states to find an alternative mechanisms of removing guns out in the hands of civilians.

8. Called on governments in Tonj and Wau to facilitate the formation of the special mobile court as contained in article 11 of the tri-state peace conference resolutions of July 2019 to trial all the crimes committed during the previous and recent conflicts to avoid further revenge.

9. Aware of the financial predicaments of Interstate Coordination Committee on cattle seasonal movement -ICCSM, appealed to governments of the two States (Ministries of local government) to expeditiously provide the required financial and material support to the mechanisms to enable them to effectively discharge their respective mandates.

10. Call upon the government of the defunct Tonj and Wau states and the organizations to facilitate youth conference from greater Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal for trust and confidence building.

Done on 18th June 2020

In Kuajiena Payam HQ

SIGNATURES:

Signed and witnessed in Kuajiena Payam –Jur River County, Western Bahr el Ghazal State on 18th June 2020 by participants that represent the stakeholders of counties of Tonj South in defunct Tonj state and Alur and Kuajiena in defunct Wau state, thereby representing all delegates from their respective locations.

A. Defunct Tonj State Representatives

1. Chikom Ayei Chikom | Paramount Chief | Tonj South -Yer

2. Aguek Anyoun Pal | Women Representative | Tonj South – Tonj center

3. Peter Mading Akec | Youth Representative | Tonj South –Tonj center

B. Defunct Wau state Representatives

1. Kon Aleu Yak | Paramount Chief | Jur River - Kuajiena

2. Akella Akot Ngor | Women Representative | Jur River -Alur

3. Elario Deng Aken | Youth Representative | Jur River - Kuajiena

Witness by:

Defunct Wau State

1. Remijo Hassan Severio

Secretary General –Acting Governor

General Secretariat

Date:

[date]

2. Edward Wade Ubul

Director General –Acting Minister

Ministry of Local Government

Date:

[date]

1. Defunct Tonj State

Acting Secretary General

General Secretariat

Date:

[date]

2. Augustino Akoch Agoth

Director General –Acting Minister

Ministry of Local Government

Date:

[date]

Communique: Inter Communal Dialogue on the Cessation of Hostilities Declaration Meeting Between Defunct Tonj and Wau States

Women, girls and gender

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