Resolutions and Recommendations of the Inter-Community Peace Dialoque Between the Azande and Beri Ethnic Groups in Gbudue State Yambio

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Country/entity: South Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Resolutions and Recommendations of the Inter-Community Peace Dialoque Between the Azande and Beri Ethnic Groups in Gbudue State Yambio
Date: 20 Jul 2017
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: James Juma Dere, Jur Beri Leader, Gbudue State, Yambio;
Matthew Nvuru Bazaambari, Deputy Chief, Gbudue State, Yambio;
Third parties: Legal Officer, Inter-Faith Council for Peace Initiatives, Western Equatoria - South Sudan, Yambio;

State Governor: Gbudue State South Sudan, Yambio

Representative of the Partners, VISTAS
Description: The Azande and Beri communities met in Yambio to end the conflict between their communities, denounce its perpetrators and discourage hate speech and other actions that might divide their communities.

Agreement document: SS_170720_Resolutions and Recommendations of the Inter-Community Peace Dialoque Between the... (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Main category: We the 50 participants of the Inter-Community Peace Dialogue between the Azande and Beri ethnic Groups of Gbudue State met in Yambio as from July 18th - 20th 2017 in Tourist Hotel represented by Chiefs, Sub chiefs, Headmen, Women Leaders and Youth, do hereby appreciate the Inter-Faith Council for Peace Initiatives (IFCPI) for organizing the Inter-Community Peace Dialogue between the Azande and Beri with the support of its partner VISTAS.

Women, girls and gender

Participation: Participation→Other
We the 50 participants of the Inter-Community Peace Dialogue between the Azande and Beri ethnic Groups of Gbudue State met in Yambio as from July 18th - 20th 2017 in Tourist Hotel represented by Chiefs, Sub chiefs, Headmen, Women Leaders and Youth, do hereby appreciate the Inter-Faith Council for Peace Initiatives (IFCPI) for organizing the Inter-Community Peace Dialogue between the Azande and Beri with the support of its partner VISTAS.
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: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Resolutions and Recommendations

RESOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INTER-COMMUNITY PEACE DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE AZANDE AND BERI ETHNIC GROUPS IN GBUDUE STATE YAMBIO JULY 18TH-20TH 2017

Resolutions and Recommendations

Inter-Community Peace Dialogue between the Azande and Beri ethnic Groups in

Gbudue State Yambio

We the 50 participants of the Inter-Community Peace Dialogue between the Azande and Beri ethnic Groups of Gbudue State met in Yambio as from July 18th - 20th 2017 in Tourist Hotel represented by Chiefs, Sub chiefs, Headmen, Women Leaders and Youth, do hereby appreciate the Inter-Faith Council for Peace Initiatives (IFCPI) for organizing the Inter-Community Peace Dialogue between the Azande and Beri with the support of its partner VISTAS.

The Dialogue has been timely and significant, we also appreciate the government of Gbudue State for moral support and permitting the dialogue to convene.

Recognizing the fact that the inter-communal conflict that our people have experienced for the last one year has destructed our people drastically especially the women and children

Denouncing all forms of violence and embracing the spirit of peace and coexistence as the children of our beloved Gbudue State

Determined to be active actors in the restoration of peace and unity in Gbudue State and beyond, do present the following Resolutions and Recommendations:

Resolutions:

After three days of deliberation on the root causes and effects of conflict we therefore:

1. Shall put an end to the meaningless killings ourselves which has been driven by satanic instigated sources 'enough is enough' we are aggrieved of our past behaviour and from now to embrace the spirit of forgiveness, reconciliation and Peaceful coexistence.

2. We commit ourselves to work together as amalgamated community for promotion of peace at all levels through the formation of the Azande and Beri Peace Committee through the support of the IFCPI and its partners to lay down working strategies.

3. We commit ourselves to advocate for peace through Churches, Mosques, media and communal conversations.

4. We discourage in strong term all forms of hate speech or gestures, unauthorized dressing of organized forces uniforms, illegal carrying of weapons, stop friendship with enemies of peace and coexistence or listening to any dirty politics that causes conflict and divides people

Recommendations:

To the Government:

• Support the engagement of Azande and Beri Peace Committee to build Peace at all levels and to consider the representation of the Jur Beri in the Government.

• To ensure enforcement of the rule of law to bring all suspected perpetrators to justice

• The Government in collaboration with the Inter-Faith Council for Peace Initiative to work hand in hand to bring the armed group of Ri-Rangu and elsewhere back home to ensure stability in the State.

To VISTAS:

• Avail support and mobility to the Inter-Faith Council for Peace Initiatives to disseminate and explain the resolutions and Recommendation of this Inter-Community Peace Dialogue in all affected areas.

• To provide training to the Azande and Beri Peace Committee to be formed

Signed

James Juma Dere

Jur Beri Leader

Gbudue State

Yambio

Signed

Matthew Nvuru Bazaambari

Deputy Chief

Gbudue State

Yambio

Witnessed by

Legal officer

Inter-Faith Council for Peace Initiatives

Western Equatoria - South Sudan

Yambio

State Governor

Gbudue State

South Sudan

Yambio

Representative of the Partners

VISTAS

Resolutions and Recommendations of the Inter-Community Peace Dialoque Between the Azande and Beri Ethnic Groups in Gbudue State Yambio

Women, girls and gender

Source agreement