The Resolutions of the Civilian-Military Dialogue in Otogo Payam Yei River County-CES

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Country/entity: South Sudan
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: The Resolutions of the Civilian-Military Dialogue in Otogo Payam Yei River County-CES
Date: 2 Feb 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: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Inter-group
Peace process: South Sudan: Post-secession Local agreements
Parties: The signatories of the civil-military dialogue in Otogo Payam of YRC:

Hon.Aggrey Cyrus - Commissioner, YRC

Brig. John Lual - SSPDF, commander

kogo Manase Levi - Finn Church Aid, coordinator Yei office

Alex Kenyi Lokosang - Chairperson, peace committee

Bishop Alex Lodiong Sakor - Catholic diocese of Yei

Rt. Rev. Levi Maradulu Yepete - ECSS diocese of Yei
Third parties: Malish John Scopas - CEPO, field Coordinator-Yei

James Mugo - UNMISS-CAD, Team leader-Yei base
Description: A local civil-military dialogue which is part of structured local approaches to managing cycles of violence, improving trust and social cohesion between communities and the military. This agreement mainly addresses civil-military relations in Otogo payam in Yei river county between the armed forces and communities, setting out a list of grievances covering all sides before setting out resolutions. Broadly the agreement aims to encourage this through ongoing reconciliatory meetings between the army and local leaders, with improved communication mechanisms and better reporting mechanisms for dealing with crime, as well as a restructuring of how soldiers are deployed in the community. Substantively the agreement makes provisions for mechanisms to deal with crime and calls for respect for the law and human rights, calling on local authorities and the armed forces to reinforce this. It also calls for the deployment of police to reinforce the law, in addressing crimes, killing and sexual violence. Traditional leaders and the military are to implement the agreement within the community by continuing meetings and more generally, by encouraging community reconciliation, fair handling of crimes and management of soldiers.

Agreement document: SS_230223_The Resolutions of the Civilian-Military Dialogue in Otogo Payam Yei River County (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Source of document: Agreement sourced by researcher in South Sudan and confirmed public.

Groups

Children/youth: Groups→Children/youth→Rhetorical
RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
14. Good relationship between the youth and the military
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: Groups→Racial/ethnic/national group→Rhetorical
RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
17. Avoid tribalism
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: RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
4. Let there be no killing of civilians and looting of their properties, raping must also be abolished
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
9. Soldiers must be allowed to visit their families

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: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
5. There must be a rule imposed by community leaders and military leaders to ban alcohol drinking during working hours
6. Meetings with community leaders and military leaders on regular basis
...
19. In case a civilian breaks a rule or law, the community leader should be aware before she/he is handed and imprisoned by the authorities (military)
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: RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
13. Respect for human rights.
...
19. In case a civilian breaks a rule or law, the community leader should be aware before she/he is handed and imprisoned by the authorities (military)
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: Human rights and equality→Civil and political rights→Thought, opinion, conscience and religion
RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
16. Freedom of expression to all.
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: Rights related issues→Media and communication→Other
RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
25. Setting of communication mechanisms
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: Rights related issues→Protection measures→Protection of civilians
RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
4. Let there be no killing of civilians and looting of their properties, raping must also be abolished
...
15. Avoid false accusations, harassment and detention of civilians
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: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
20. Services should be provided by Government and humanitarian NGOs to the people of Otogo Payam
Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Infrastructure and reconstruction
RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
3. Government should construct and renovate schools, health centers and good roads
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: Socio-economic reconstruction→Taxation→Other
RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
2. The military should stop illegal taxes at the checkpoints
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: Land, property and environment→Cultural heritage→Intangible
RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
21. Promotion of cultural activities and sports to enhance peace
Land, property and environment→Cultural heritage→Promotion
RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
21. Promotion of cultural activities and sports to enhance peace
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
18. Provide good security to civilians
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
10. Deployment of police in Otogo Payam
Armed forces: RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
1. The military and civilians should unite as one people (cooperate)
2. The military should stop illegal taxes at the checkpoints
...
5. There must be a rule imposed by community leaders and military leaders to ban alcohol drinking during working hours
6. Meetings with community leaders and military leaders on regular basis
...
9. Soldiers must be allowed to visit their families
...
12. The government should provide enough food to soldiers and their salaries should be increased and paid on time.
...
14. Good relationship between the youth and the military
...
23. Soldiers should not be deployed in community social centers like schools, hospitals, churches and markets
24. Soldiers should be rotated on periodic basis
...
27. Unification and deployment of the unified forces.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
2. The military should stop illegal taxes at the checkpoints
...
26. There should be no ransom payment for release of civilians after imprisonment
Crime/organised crime: RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
4. Let there be no killing of civilians and looting of their properties, raping must also be abolished
...
19. In case a civilian breaks a rule or law, the community leader should be aware before she/he is handed and imprisoned by the authorities (military)
...
22. Avoid generalization in case one person commits a crime
...
26. There should be no ransom payment for release of civilians after imprisonment
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: RESOLUTIONS.
...
5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
26. There should be no ransom payment for release of civilians after imprisonment
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: 5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
The signatories of the civil-military dialogue in Otogo Payam of YRC:
...
James Mugo
UNMISS-CAD, Team leader-Yei base
Other international signatory: 5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?
...
The signatories of the civil-military dialogue in Otogo Payam of YRC:
...
kogo Manase Levi
FCA, coordinator Yei office
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT FOR PROGRESS ORGANIZATION (CEPO)

YEI RIVER COUNTY-CES.

The Resolutions of the Civilian-Military Dialogue in Otogo Payam Yei River County-CES

Preface:

We, the people of Otogo general wants everlasting peace that will restore good relationship between the military (SSPDF) and the local population in Otogo Payam of Yei River County-central Equatoria state at Large.

Purpose of this dialogue is to restore and rebuild the broken relationship between the people (civilians) and the military forces (SSPDF).

The initiative to come and attend this dialogue, is highlighting that this entire population of Yei is striving for peace.

Truth come as the results of speaking sincerely the being open hearth during and after something went wrong for quite a long period then late can be resolved and made to have preferred reconciliation among the group.

And create conducive environment for peaceful co-existence.

Cognizant and mindful of the history knows the past instabilities or wars of the 1950s of those years are quite different to the present.

military used not to kill innocent civilians instead they provide security to them but the present military or soldiers kill civilians, animals and every living thing.

People of Otogo Payam citing particular places like Abegi, Goja are no longer there, no schools and health service because of the tragedies and poor relationship with the military and the few remaining people are suffering.

Peace have been talked here in the past several times but to no help and government soldiers have killed so many civilians.

Committed to immediately restoration of peace, fair justice, harmony and peaceful co-existence through dialogues and awareness raising among the civilians.

Therefore, CEPO took this initiative in partnership with IOM and in collaboration with religious leaders the two bishops and County administration to address issue affecting both the civilians and the military in order to create a peaceful and conducive ground for the refugees and IDPs to come and rebuild live at their pervious land.

Questions for group discussion:

1. What is the main problem between Civilians and the military?

• Killing of civilians without clear reasons

• Looting of civilians properties

• Raping of women and young girls

• False accusation of the youth as rebels

• Forced labor (forced to work for the military without pay particularly carrying them on (Boda-boda)

• Harassment and detention of the civilians

• No unity/cooperation among civilians and the military

• Misunderstanding between military and civilians

• Mix up of civilians and rebels in the villages

2. What types of conflicts exist between civilians and military of Otogo Boma?

• Killing of civilians

• Looting of civilians properties

• Falsely accusing the youth to be rebels

• Multiple checkpoints

• Harassment and detention of civilians

• Tribalism and hatred

• Language barriers among the military and the civilians

3. What are the root causes of conflicts between civilians and military in Otogo Payam?

• Differences in languages

• Looting of civilians properties

• Forced labor

• Disunity among leaders

• Tribalism

• Confiscation of drugs from civilians claiming that they are taken to treat rebels

• Lack of respect for community leaders

• Using (forcing) civilians as mediators to talk to the rebels (NAS) which subjects civilian life to risk.

• Division of army into different commands leading to rebellions (political)

• War insurgence between SSPDF and rebels

• Drug abuse

• False accusations.

4. What are the effects of the conflicts between civilians and the military in Otogo Payam?

• Death of both civilians and government soldiers

• No schools and health services

• Displacement of civilians

• Respect of human rights

• No freedom of movement and expression

• Hunger

• Vulnerability to illness or sicknesses

• Lack of economic services

• Arrests and detention

RESOLUTIONS.

The resolutions answering the question of finding solution to the issue affecting civilians and Military relationship in Otogo Payam of Yei River county-CES.

5. What are the solutions to the problems (issues) affecting civilians and military relationship in Otogo Payam?

1. The military and civilians should unite as one people (cooperate)

2. The military should stop illegal taxes at the checkpoints

3. Government should construct and renovate schools, health centers and good roads

4. Let there be no killing of civilians and looting of their properties, raping must also be abolished

5. There must be a rule imposed by community leaders and military leaders to ban alcohol drinking during working hours

6. Meetings with community leaders and military leaders on regular basis

7. All resolutions should reach to the authorities responsible and people who did not attend the dialogue

8. Implementation of the peace agreement of 2018 and Rome peace talks should continue with the hold-out groups

9. Soldiers must be allowed to visit their families

10. Deployment of police in Otogo Payam

11. Forgiveness between civilians and military.

12. The government should provide enough food to soldiers and their salaries should be increased and paid on time.

13. Respect for human rights.

14. Good relationship between the youth and the military

15. Avoid false accusations, harassment and detention of civilians

16. Freedom of expression to all.

17. Avoid tribalism

18. Provide good security to civilians

19. In case a civilian breaks a rule or law, the community leader should be aware before she/he is handed and imprisoned by the authorities (military)

20. Services should be provided by Government and humanitarian NGOs to the people of Otogo Payam

21. Promotion of cultural activities and sports to enhance peace

22. Avoid generalization in case one person commits a crime

23. Soldiers should not be deployed in community social centers like schools, hospitals, churches and markets

24. Soldiers should be rotated on periodic basis

25. Setting of communication mechanisms

26. There should be no ransom payment for release of civilians after imprisonment

27. Unification and deployment of the unified forces.

The signatories of the civil-military dialogue in Otogo Payam of YRC:

Signature:

..............................

Date:

.............................

Hon. Aggrey Cyrus

Commissioner, YRC

Signature:

..............................

Date:

.............................

James Mugo

UNMISS-CAD, Team leader-Yei base

Signature:

..............................

Date:

.............................

Brig.

John Lual

SSPDF commander

Signature:

..............................

Date:

.............................

kogo Manase Levi

FCA, coordinator Yei office

Signature:

..............................

Date:

.............................

Alex Kenyi Lokosang

Chairperson peace committee

Signature:

..............................

Date:

.............................

Malish John Scopas

CEPO, field Coordinator-Yei

Signature:

..............................

Date:

.............................

Bishop Alex Lodiong Sakor

Catholic diocese of Yei

Signature:

..............................

Date:

.............................

Rt. Rev. Levi Maradulu Yepete.

ECSS diocese of Yei

The Resolutions of the Civilian-Military Dialogue in Otogo Payam Yei River County-CES

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