Country/entity

South Sudan

Region

Africa (excl MENA)

Agreement name

Report of the 3rd Dinka Agar Internal Cattle Migration Conference

Date

21 Dec 2022

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.

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Sudan Conflicts (1955 - )

Stage

Framework/substantive - partial

Conflict nature

Other

Peace process

South Sudan: Post-secession Local agreements

Parties

Guarantors:
Minister of local Government law and enforcement agency. Hon. Chol Kuotwel manhom;
Commissioner of Rumbek East County, Hon. Mabor Makuac Ater;
Commissioner of Rumbek North, Hon. Arop Kumbai Dhalbeny;
Executive Director of Wulu County, Abengo Digur Makuac;

Chiefs:
Deng Mamer Ater;
Tongol Agany Maluou;
Chol Marier Agok;
Majok Maper Manyiel;
John Marial Dongrin;

Gelweng youth:
Matoc Thonglang Kok;
Marial Maguen Mabor;
Luar Mading Cinthiec;
Thon Timdit Agot;
Majok Makuen-adoor;

Women representatives:
Mary Yar Maboor;
Hellena Aluel Alama;
Ayen Madit Majier.

Third parties

Peace Canal Executive Director, Christine Kide;
UNMISS Head of Rumbek Field Office, Kwame Dwamena-Aboagye.

Description

A third annual iteration of a cattle related peace conference which makes further resolutions to build upon and strengthen the existing Internal Cattle Migration Monitoring Committee (ICMMC). Substantively the agreement also sets out that cattle migration in the area will be regulated by local state government, with the mediator peace canal supporting the tabling and presentation of these new resolutions as laws to be passed. The provisions in the agreement address the various pastoralist ethnic groups and communities involved in and impacted by cattle conflicts and cycles of migration. It also addresses connected social issues; making provisions for women and youth and providing for security arrangements and community-led implementation mechanisms to support the overall agreement.

Agreement document

SS_221221_Report of the 3rd Dinka Agar Internal Cattle Migration Conference (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Local agreement properties

Process type

Formal structured process

Rationale

The agreement is part of an annually reoccurring peace conference which is externally supported by Peace canal as well as by UNMISS and regional state level government.

Is there a documented link to a national peace process?

No

Link to national process: articulated rationale

There is no clear or substantive link to the national process in the text of the agreement or from further research.

Name of Locale

Lakes State

Nature of Locale

Region

GPS Lat/Long (DD)

6.806840, 29.676700

Participant type

Local state actor
Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder
Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations

Mediator, facilitator or similar

Mediator or similar referred to

Mediator (references)

Peace Canal and UNMISS

Type of mediator/facilitator/similar

Local community/civilian group(s)/civil society organisations International or transnational actor

Local issues

Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)

No specific mention.

Grievance List

We resolved the following Resolutions:

...

4. spear masters to play/perform their spiritual roles/rituals in combating the ongoing heinous cattle theft, alcohol abuse and other cattle related crimes. Locate in agreement

Cattle rustling/banditry

We resolved the following Resolutions:

...

4. spear masters to play/perform their spiritual roles/rituals in combating the ongoing heinous cattle theft, alcohol abuse and other cattle related crimes. Locate in agreement

...

8. Border meeting between Akot, Paloc, Amongpiny, and Aluakluak& part of Yirol East to close the alarming loophole of border cattle theft. Locate in agreement

Social cover

We resolved the following Resolutions:

...

11. Stop hoarding or harboring thieves and instead apprehend them to the government for trial to eliminate further escalation. Locate in agreement