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.

Close

Sudan Conflicts (1955 - )

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

Local agreement properties

Process type

Formal structured process

Rationale

This is one among a series of meetings called 'Inter-Communal Governance Structures', organised by Peace Canal, a peacebuilding programme based in South Sudan.

Is there a documented link to a national peace process?

No

Link to national process: articulated rationale

There is no explicit reference to a national peace process. There is also no indication that this meeting or the 'Inter-Communal Governance Structures' relate to a peace process that extends beyond conflicts between various groups in Jonglei and GPAA.

Name of Locale

Jonglei/GPAA

Nature of Locale

Region

GPS Lat/Long (DD)

6.799068, 33.129753

Participant type

Local armed group
Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations
Regional state actor

Mediator, facilitator or similar

Mediator or similar referred to

Mediator (references)

Peace Canal

Type of mediator/facilitator/similar

Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)

No specific mention.

Grievance List

No specific mention.

Cattle rustling/banditry

No specific mention.

Social cover

No specific mention.