The Resolutions of the Civilian – Military Dialogue in Mundu Diocese, Kupera Payam, Lainya County

Country/entity
South Sudan
Region
Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name
The Resolutions of the Civilian – Military Dialogue in Mundu Diocese, Kupera Payam, Lainya County
Date
1 May 2023
Agreement status
Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement
Yes
Agreement/conflict level
Intrastate/local conflict
Stage
Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature
Inter-group
Peace process
South Sudan: Post-secession Local agreements
Parties
Representative of the Military:
Col. John Jok Deng - Deputy Commander Ground Forces Division, Limbe – Lainya County

Representative of Civilians:
Noel Lado Luwale - Head Chief, Lainya Payam

Rtd. Rt. Rev. Elioba Laku - Chairperson of Peace Committee, Lainya County

Main Supervisor and Implementer:
Hon. Emmanuel Khamis Richard - Commissioner of Lainya County
Third parties
Mr. Putia Moses Buya - Project Manager, Representative of CEPO as the main Organizer of the Dialogue

Observers:

Mr. James Mugo - UNMISS CAD Team leader, Yei office
Lumori Joseph Yasin - WPDI Project Officer, Lainya county
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 Kupera payam in Lainya county between the armed forces and communities, through reconciliatory meetings and improved communication channels between the groups. Substantively the agreement makes provisions for more timely reporting mechanisms to local authorities and reinforced deployment of policing for crimes, killing and sexual violence. The agreement calls for traditional leaders, the military and the local peace committee to facilitate further civil-military dialogues, particularly between pastoralists and farmers, and in areas where there are higher numbers of displaced people. Note: The exact signing date is uncertain from the document, so it is inferred from other documents and news sources.

Agreement document
SS_230501_The Resolutions of the Civilian – Military Dialogue in Mundu Diocese (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Source of document

Document sourced by researcher in South Sudan and confirmed to be public.


Groups

Children/youth
Groups→Children/youth→Rhetorical
Preamble:
...
displacement of innocent women, elderly and the children;
Disabled persons

No specific mention.

Elderly/age
Preamble:
...
displacement of innocent women, elderly and the children;
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
Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Rhetorical
Preamble:
...
Cognizant and Mindful of the facts that the heinous and barbaric behaviors of the individual soldiers and the cattle keepers contributed to more destruction of livelihood and displacement of the people of greater Yei to the refugee and IDP camps inside and outside South Sudan;
...
The Resolutions:
...
The dialogue resolved that civilian – military dialogues should be localized in areas of high displacement such as Wuji, Bereka, Loka and Mukaya.
Social class

No specific mention.


Gender

Women, girls and gender
Preamble:
...
Aware of the intentional land occupation, targeted killings between the individual civilian and soldiers;
rape of young girls and elderly women;
...
displacement of innocent women, elderly and the children;
...
The Resolutions:
...
The civilian – military dialogue in Mundu resolved that any crime committed by any of the party against either of the party should be reported to the concern authority for quick intervention.
...
or a woman/girl is raped;
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

No specific mention.

Traditional/religious leaders
The Resolutions:
...
The Mundu civilian – military Dialogue resolved that Payam Administrators should be deployed in Mukaya, Kenyi, Kupera and Wuji Payams.
The Mundu dialogue resolved that Chiefs and the Military Commanders should establish effective communication mechanisms in order to create good relationship between the civilian and the military.
...
The Mundu dialogue recommended for the deployment of a civilian – military relations officer (Moral Orientation Officer/Chaplains) in Lainya County in order to provide Psycho-social support to the soldiers and also report issues affecting both the civilian and the military.
...
The dialogue also resolved that the County administrators, Chiefs and the Military Commander should regulate, control and restrict drinking of alcohol by both the civilian and the soldiers.
For example, both the County and the Military Commander should pass an order that ban drinking of alcohol in the working hours and also restrict soldiers only to drink alcohol inside the barrack after work.
...
The dialogue resolved that Lainya Peace Committee should conduct a dialogue between the cattle keepers and the farmers in order to explore lasting solutions.
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
Rights related issues→Media and communication→Other
The Resolutions:
...
The Mundu dialogue resolved that Chiefs and the Military Commanders should establish effective communication mechanisms in order to create good relationship between the civilian and the military.
Mobility/access

No specific mention.

Protection measures
Rights related issues→Protection measures→Protection of civilians
The Resolutions:
...
The civilian – military dialogue in Mundu resolved that any crime committed by any of the party against either of the party should be reported to the concern authority for quick intervention.
For example, if a civilian or soldier is killed;
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
The Resolutions:
...
The dialogue resolved that Lainya Peace Committee should conduct a dialogue between the cattle keepers and the farmers in order to explore lasting solutions.
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
The Resolutions:
...
The Civilian – Military dialogue resolved that Police/Community Policing should be deployed and strengthened in order to manage social crimes and public order.
Armed forces
The Resolutions:
...
The Mundu dialogue resolved that Chiefs and the Military Commanders should establish effective communication mechanisms in order to create good relationship between the civilian and the military.
The civilian – military dialogue in Mundu resolved that any crime committed by any of the party against either of the party should be reported to the concern authority for quick intervention.
For example, if a civilian or soldier is killed;
or a woman/girl is raped;
or civilian's properties looted;
the incident should be communicated timely and procedurally to the concern civilian or military authority.
The Mundu dialogue recommended for the deployment of a civilian – military relations officer (Moral Orientation Officer/Chaplains) in Lainya County in order to provide Psycho-social support to the soldiers and also report issues affecting both the civilian and the military.
...
The dialogue also resolved that the County administrators, Chiefs and the Military Commander should regulate, control and restrict drinking of alcohol by both the civilian and the soldiers.
For example, both the County and the Military Commander should pass an order that ban drinking of alcohol in the working hours and also restrict soldiers only to drink alcohol inside the barrack after work.
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

No specific mention.

Crime/organised crime
The Resolutions:
...
The civilian – military dialogue in Mundu resolved that any crime committed by any of the party against either of the party should be reported to the concern authority for quick intervention.
For example, if a civilian or soldier is killed;
or a woman/girl is raped;
or civilian's properties looted;
the incident should be communicated timely and procedurally to the concern civilian or military authority.
...
The Civilian – Military dialogue resolved that Police/Community Policing should be deployed and strengthened in order to manage social crimes and public order.
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

No specific mention.


Implementation

UN signatory

No specific mention.

Other international signatory
The Signatories of the Civilian – Military Dialogue
...
OBSERVERS:
Mr. James Mugo UNMISS CAD Team leader – Yei office Observer of the Dialogue Date:
Referendum for agreement

No specific mention.

International mission/force/similar

No specific mention.

Enforcement mechanism

No specific mention.


Source agreement

The Resolutions of the Civilian – Military Dialogue in Mundu Diocese, Kupera Payam, Lainya County – CES – Juba

Preamble:

We, the people of Lainya County together with the SSPDF – Ground Forces deployed to protect the people, properties and the natural resources of Lainya County;

Remembered the legacy of our heroes and heroines, unity, dignity and the peaceful co-existence of the people of South Sudan in general;

and Lainya in particular;

Recognized that the 2013 and 2016 civil wars in South Sudan mostly affected and displaced the people of South Sudan in general;

and particularly the people of greater Yei;

Cognizant and Mindful of the facts that the heinous and barbaric behaviors of the individual soldiers and the cattle keepers contributed to more destruction of livelihood and displacement of the people of greater Yei to the refugee and IDP camps inside and outside South Sudan;

Aware of the intentional land occupation, targeted killings between the individual civilian and soldiers;

rape of young girls and elderly women;

intra and inter communal conflicts between the farmers and the cattle keepers;

displacement of innocent women, elderly and the children;

and the general suffering of the grassroots;

Conscious of the danger that if the Necessary Unified Forces are not graduated;

basic services provided, cattle keepers educated to adopt new methods of cattle ranching;

and the Revitalized Peace Agreement implemented in letter and spirit;

may aggravate new conflicts, disunity, displacement and more suffering to the people of South Sudan in general;

Committed to immediate restoration of peace, justice, harmony and peaceful co-existence through dialogues and awareness raising among the civilian, cattle keepers and the military;

Therefore, CEPO took this initiative in partnership with IOM and in collaboration with the religious leaders and Lainya County Administration to address issues affecting both the civilian and the military in order to create a peaceful and conducive environment for refugees and IDPs to return and rebuild their lives in Lainya County.

The Resolutions:

The religious leaders with support from CEPO and in collaboration with the Administration of Lainya County conducted a three days Civilian – Military Dialogue in Mundu Diocese, Kupera Payam, Lainya County and came out with the following resolutions:

The Mundu civilian – military Dialogue resolved that Payam Administrators should be deployed in Mukaya, Kenyi, Kupera and Wuji Payams.

The Mundu dialogue resolved that Chiefs and the Military Commanders should establish effective communication mechanisms in order to create good relationship between the civilian and the military.

The civilian – military dialogue in Mundu resolved that any crime committed by any of the party against either of the party should be reported to the concern authority for quick intervention.

For example, if a civilian or soldier is killed;

or a woman/girl is raped;

or civilian's properties looted;

the incident should be communicated timely and procedurally to the concern civilian or military authority.

The Mundu dialogue recommended for the deployment of a civilian – military relations officer (Moral Orientation Officer/Chaplains) in Lainya County in order to provide Psycho-social support to the soldiers and also report issues affecting both the civilian and the military.

The Civilian – Military dialogue resolved that Police/Community Policing should be deployed and strengthened in order to manage social crimes and public order.

The dialogue resolved that civilian – military dialogues should be localized in areas of high displacement such as Wuji, Bereka, Loka and Mukaya.

The dialogue also resolved that Lainya Peace Committees should be autonomously empowered financially to reach out to the Holdout group (NAS forces) for resumption and revitalization of Rome, St. Egidio Peace Declaration between the government and the NAS faction;

and to also create good relationship between the civilian and the NAS forces.

The dialogue also resolved that the County administrators, Chiefs and the Military Commander should regulate, control and restrict drinking of alcohol by both the civilian and the soldiers.

For example, both the County and the Military Commander should pass an order that ban drinking of alcohol in the working hours and also restrict soldiers only to drink alcohol inside the barrack after work.

The dialogue referred the issues of road blocks/checkpoints and high taxes to be discussed at the security meetings with involvement of chiefs and serious follow up of the meeting outcomes.

The dialogue recommended that UNMISS, CEPO and other CSOs should advocate and lobby for the improvement of basic services for the army.

These services include food, salary, leave and quick graduation of the unified forces.

The dialogue resolved that Lainya Peace Committee should conduct a dialogue between the cattle keepers and the farmers in order to explore lasting solutions.

The Signatories of the Civilian – Military Dialogue

MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES:

Col. John Jok Deng Deputy Commander Ground Forces Division Limbe – Lainya County Representative of the Military Date:

[Signature line]

CIVILIAN REPRESENTATIVES:

Noel Lado Luwale Head Chief Lainya Payam Representative of Civilian Date:

[Signature line]

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS:

Hon. Emmanuel Khamis Richard Commissioner of Lainya County Main Supervisor and Implementor Date:

[Signature line]

RELIGIOUS LEADERS:

Rtd. Rt.

Rev. Elioba Laku Chairperson of Peace Committee Lainya County Date:

[Signature line]

OBSERVERS:

Mr. James Mugo UNMISS CAD Team leader – Yei office Observer of the Dialogue Date:

[Signature line]

Lumori Joseph Yasin WPDI Project Officer - Lainya Observer of the Dialogue Date:

[Signature line]

ORGANIZERS:

Mr. Putia Moses Buya Project Manager Representative of CEPO as the main Organizer of the Dialogue Date:

[Signature line]