Communiqué - Inter-Communal Governance Structures: Jonglei and GPAA

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Country/entity: South Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Communiqué - Inter-Communal Governance Structures: Jonglei and GPAA
Date: 6 Nov 2023
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: Not signed, agreement lists the following persons as delegates:
[Names, Location, Title]
Gabriel Tuak Lam, Akobo, Paramount Chief
Yunis Tut Ruei, Ayod, Paramount Chief
Maluak Ayen Ajhok, Bor, Paramount Chief
Aleer Leek Deng, Duk, Paramount Chief
John Gulech Wau, Gumuruk, Paramount Chief
Thonyan Ayicho, Lekuangole, Paramount Chief
Isaac Guor Duol, Nyirol, Paramount Chief
Nyikcho Ame Bullen, Pibor, Paramount Chief
Aweng Deng Chol, Twic East, Paramount Chief
Moses Chot Yak, Uror, Paramount Chief
Alan Kengen, Verthet, Paramount Chief
Thor Bolith Chol, Akobo, Youth Leader
Kany Wie Duop, Ayod, Youth Leader
Khor Awuai Amer, Bor, Youth Leader
Chol Awur Ajak, Bor, Youth Leader
Wany Garthuoth Chan, Duk, Youth Leader
Kagayin Aburkuk, Lekuangole, Youth Leader
Gatluak Manyun, Nyirol, Youth Leader
Deng Chol Anyany, Twic East, Youth Leader
Makuei Choat Deng, Uror, Youth Leader
Kacho Giraron, Verthet, Youth Leader
Nyathom Kiir Chak, Akobo, Women's Leader
Rebecca Nyanuot Kuol, Ayod, Women's Leader
Lithg Chuit, Bor, Women's Leader
Amuor Lem, Duk, Women's Leader
Mary Thagono Nganthigidang, Lekuangole, Women's Leader
Mer Manyal Thong, Nyirol, Women's Leader
Mary Bery Oleyo, Pibor, Women's Leader
Aleh Jurkuch, Twic East, Women's Leader
Biliny Ruot, Uror, Women's Leader
Nyamile Ibon, Verthet, Women's Leader
Mabil Gai, Akobo, Interpreter
Lual Thel Lual, Duk, Interpreter
Anyibi Mazee, Pibor, Interpreter
John Konyi Kereru, Pibor, Interpreter
Koang Nyang Yiel, Uror, Interpreter
Duop Deng Gatluok, Ayod, Spiritual Advisor- Makuach
Thuok Koat Nyoch, Uror, Dak Kueth Spiritual Representative
Dual Chuol Puot, Ayod, Makuach Tut Spiritual Representative
Diang Wal Mut, Ayod, Makuach Tut Spiritual Representative
Mayoam Ruot Rom, Ayod, Makuach Tut Spiritual Representative
Gatmuon Yoai Bepal, Ayod, Makuach Tut Spiritual Representative
Makuek Wuol Ther, Ayod, Makuach Tut Spiritual Representative
Koak Marop Reat, Ayod, Makuach Tut Spiritual Representative
Peter Kuol Kol, Ayod, Makuach Tut Spiritual Representative
Hon. Simon Puok Nyang, Akobo, Commissioner
Hon. James Chuol Jiek, Ayod, Commissioner
Hon.Mabior Athiou, Bor, Commissioner
Hon. Peter Latjor Chol, Duk, Commissioner
Hon. John Gogol, Lekuangole, Commissioner
Hon. James Bol Makuei, Nyirol, Commissioner
Hon John Gain Pothi, Pibor, Commissioner
Hon. Jacob Chol Thon, Twic East, Commissioner
Hon. Moses Machot Gatluak, Uror, Commissioner
John Zelu, Verthet, Executive Director
Hon. Simon Hoth Duol, Jonglei State, Minister of Local Government & Law Enforcement
Hon. Abraham Ngacho, GPAA, State Legal Advisor
Hon. Gabriel Malual, Jonglei State, Minister of Peace Building
Hon. James Walangnyang, GPAA, Chair of Peace Commission
Hon. Nyalele John Chuol, Jonglei State, Minister of Cabinet Affairs
Hon. Mabil Makwach, Jonglei State, Minister for Youths & Sport
Third parties: -
Description: The Inter-Communal Governance Structures (ICGS), a series of meetings involving several local groups and state officials in the South Sudan states of Jonglei and GPAA, convened in Ayod from November 2-6, 2023. The agreement discussed the status of previous initiatives, made new commitments towards peace between local groups, and scheduled the next ICGS meeting.

Agreement document: SS_231106_Communique (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: Groups→Children/youth→Rhetorical
Updates
Communities agreed that there were positive signs of progress:
...
- The further returns of women and children from Jonglei to GPAA communities.
...
Specific measures agreed
...
development, and have agreed on the following measures to be implemented before the next ICGS:
...
- Registering of all abducted women in children across the areas.
Groups→Children/youth→Substantive
Updates
...
Specific measures agreed
...
development, and have agreed on the following measures to be implemented before the next ICGS:
...
- Resilience activities will be starting with selected youth in the border areas, in particular cattle trading
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: Updates
Communities agreed that there were positive signs of progress:
...
- The further returns of women and children from Jonglei to GPAA communities.
...
Specific measures agreed
...
development, and have agreed on the following measures to be implemented before the next ICGS:
...
- The women’s structure to conduct rallies in Pibor, Gumuruk and Lekuangole and Verthet.
...
- Registering of all abducted women in children across the areas.
...
Next ICGS
...
Nyathom Kiir Chak Akobo Women's Leader
Rebecca Nyanuot Kuol Ayod Women's Leader
Lithg Chuit Bor Women's Leader
Amuor Lem Duk Women's Leader
Mary Thagono Nganthigidang Lekuangole Women's Leader
Mer Manyal Thong Nyirol Women's Leader
Mary Bery Oleyo Pibor Women's Leader
Aleh Jurkuch Twic East Women's Leader
Biliny Ruot Uror Women's Leader
Nyamile Ibon Verthet Women's Leader
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: Updates
Communities agreed that there were positive signs of progress:
...
- The first phase of Nanaam engagement by Murle community leaders that will lead to the intercommunal visit following this ICGS.
...
Specific measures agreed
...
development, and have agreed on the following measures to be implemented before the next ICGS:
- Nanaam inter-communal visit that will reach all the key border locations and the criminals who are
Traditional/religious leaders: Updates
...
Specific measures agreed
...
development, and have agreed on the following measures to be implemented before the next ICGS:
...
- Chiefs will conduct rituals on the Anyidi-Manyabol border and the border of Lou Nuer and Murle
...
- The Chiefs will meet in Gadiang to agree on inter-communal accountability measures.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: Updates
Communities agreed that there were positive signs of progress:
...
- The re-opening of the Bor Pibor road and free movement along that route.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
Updates
Communities agreed that there were positive signs of progress:
- The successful demobilisation of youth who were launching an attack at the time of the July ICGS.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Updates
...
Specific measures agreed
...
development, and have agreed on the following measures to be implemented before the next ICGS:
- Nanaam inter-communal visit that will reach all the key border locations and the criminals who are

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: No specific mention.

Inter-Communal Governance Structures

Jonglei and GPAA

| 1

COMMUNIQUÉ

Meeting #2023-02 | 02-06 November 2023 | Ayod

Context

The second meeting has taken place in Ayod, from 02-06 November 2023.

Due to weather conditions, the start

of the meeting was delayed, the delegation from Yuai was further delayed to arrival 24 hours after the start of

the meeting, and the Gumuruk delegation was unable to be collected due to the condition of the airstrip.

Updates

Communities agreed that there were positive signs of progress:

- The successful demobilisation of youth who were launching an attack at the time of the July ICGS.

- The cattle investment to the structures for the purposes of dissemination of the Juba meeting and to

support their ongoing work.

- The re-opening of the Bor Pibor road and free movement along that route.

- The first phase of Nanaam engagement by Murle community leaders that will lead to the intercommunal visit following this ICGS.

- The Juba dialogue’s success in preventing an escalation following the attack of Bor traders in Pibor

town.

- The further returns of women and children from Jonglei to GPAA communities.

Nonetheless, all communities expressed concern at the ongoing road ambushes, abductions and the failure of

authorities and community leaders to ensure that there is accountability for these attacks.

The attacks in

towns was condemned by all communities.

Specific measures agreed

Structures re-iterated the importance of longer term initiatives supporting reconciliation, accountability and

development, and have agreed on the following measures to be implemented before the next ICGS:

- Nanaam inter-communal visit that will reach all the key border locations and the criminals who are

continuing their activities there.

- The women’s structure to conduct rallies in Pibor, Gumuruk and Lekuangole and Verthet.

- Chiefs will conduct rituals on the Anyidi-Manyabol border and the border of Lou Nuer and Murle

communities.

- Bari and Mundari to be invited as observers to the next ICGS for the purposes of clarity on insecurity

issues facing Murle in those areas.

Inter-Communal Governance Structures | Jonglei & GPAA

ICGS Ayod Meeting, 02-06 November 2023 | Communique | 2

- Establishment of Wuno as a border centre by the next ICGS, with Bishbish and Burmath to follow as

soon as practicable.

Work to continue on the establishment of the centre in Pulbura.

- The Chiefs will meet in Gadiang to agree on inter-communal accountability measures.

- Partners to commence distribution of food as part of the Asset Creation Program in the border areas.

- Registering of all abducted women in children across the areas.

- Resilience activities will be starting with selected youth in the border areas, in particular cattle trading

initiatives.

Next ICGS

Communities agreed the next meeting will take place in Lekuangole, with the specific location to be

confirmed subject to physical accessibility.

Inter-Communal Governance Structures | Jonglei & GPAA

ICGS Ayod Meeting, 02-06 November 2023 | Communique | 3

Delegates

Names Location Title

Gabriel Tuak Lam Akobo Paramount Chief

Yunis Tut Ruei Ayod Paramount Chief

Maluak Ayen Ajhok Bor Paramount Chief

Aleer Leek Deng Duk Paramount Chief

John Gulech Wau Gumuruk Paramount Chief

Thonyan Ayicho Lekuangole Paramount Chief

Isaac Guor Duol Nyirol Paramount Chief

Nyikcho Ame Bullen Pibor Paramount Chief

Aweng Deng Chol Twic East Paramount Chief

Moses Chot Yak Uror Paramount Chief

Alan Kengen Verthet Paramount Chief

Thor Bolith Chol Akobo Youth Leader

Kany Wie Duop Ayod Youth Leader

Khor Awuai Amer Bor Youth Leader

Chol Awur Ajak Bor Youth Leader

Wany Garthuoth Chan Duk Youth Leader

Kagayin Aburkuk Lekuangole Youth Leader

Gatluak Manyun Nyirol Youth Leader

Deng Chol Anyany Twic East Youth Leader

Makuei Choat Deng Uror Youth Leader

Kacho Giraron Verthet Youth Leader

Nyathom Kiir Chak Akobo Women's Leader

Rebecca Nyanuot Kuol Ayod Women's Leader

Lithg Chuit Bor Women's Leader

Amuor Lem Duk Women's Leader

Mary Thagono Nganthigidang Lekuangole Women's Leader

Mer Manyal Thong Nyirol Women's Leader

Mary Bery Oleyo Pibor Women's Leader

Aleh Jurkuch Twic East Women's Leader

Biliny Ruot Uror Women's Leader

Nyamile Ibon Verthet Women's Leader

Mabil Gai Akobo Interpreter

Lual Thel Lual Duk Interpreter

Anyibi Mazee Pibor Interpreter

John Konyi Kereru Pibor Interpreter

Koang Nyang Yiel Uror Interpreter

Inter-Communal Governance Structures | Jonglei & GPAA

ICGS Ayod Meeting, 02-06 November 2023 | Communique | 4

Duop Deng Gatluok Ayod Spiritual Advisor- Makuach

Thuok Koat Nyoch Uror Dak Kueth Spiritual Representative

Dual Chuol Puot Ayod Makuach Tut Spiritual Representative

Diang Wal Mut Ayod Makuach Tut Spiritual Representative

Mayoam Ruot Rom Ayod Makuach Tut Spiritual Representative

Gatmuon Yoai Bepal Ayod Makuach Tut Spiritual Representative

Makuek Wuol Ther Ayod Makuach Tut Spiritual Representative

Koak Marop Reat Ayod Makuach Tut Spiritual Representative

Peter Kuol Kol Ayod Makuach Tut Spiritual Representative

Hon. Simon Puok Nyang Akobo Commissioner

Hon. James Chuol Jiek Ayod Commissioner

Hon. Mabior Athiou Bor Commissioner

Hon. Peter Latjor Chol Duk Commissioner

Hon. John Gogol Lekuangole Commissioner

Hon. James Bol Makuei Nyirol Commissioner

Hon John Gain Pothi Pibor Commissioner

Hon. Jacob Chol Thon Twic East Commissioner

Hon. Moses Machot Gatluak Uror Commissioner

John Zelu Verthet Executive Director

Hon. Simon Hoth Duol Jonglei State Minister of Local Government & Law Enforcement

Hon. Abraham Ngacho GPAA State Legal Advisor

Hon. Gabriel Malual Jonglei State Minister of Peace Building

Hon. James Walangnyang GPAA Chair of Peace Commission

Hon. Nyalele John Chuol Jonglei State Minister of Cabinet Affairs

Hon. Mabil Makwach Jonglei State Minister for Youths & Sport

Communiqué - Inter-Communal Governance Structures: Jonglei and GPAA

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

Source agreement