THE BLUE NILE PEACE AGREEMENT
22 December 1999
Observing its steadfast commitment to realise lasting and
comprehensive peace and stability in Sudan based on the
durable responsibility of the concerned parties; Sudan Government
faithfully negotiated and successfully concluded another
peace agreement with a former rebel faction namely "Blue
Nile Citizens Front". The respective agreement "The
Blue Nile Agreement" was signed in an august ceremony
took place in the Republican Palace in Khartoum on 22.12.1999.
H. E. the First-Vice President Sayed Ali Osman Mohamed Taha
attended the signing ceremony.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie, the Presidential
Adviser for Peace Affairs on behalf of the Government of
Sudan, and by the tribal Chief Obaid Mohamed Abou-Shutal
on behalf of (Blue Nile Citizens Front). Sayed Abou-Shutal
was the former Rebel Movement Deputy Governor of (Blue Nile
Region).
The Agreement provided that the two sides, responding to
the peace calls, looking for the development and the upgrading
of the Blue Nile state, are committed to work together for
implementation of its various provisions.
The 12-point Agreement has called for the democratic rule
in the Sudan and for working seriously to preserve the unity
of the Sudanese people and territories and to distribute
the Sudanese national wealth in a just
manner while working for the development of the less developed
regions of the country.
It underlined the two parties' commitment to the Federal
system of government, a system that allowed the citizens
of every state to govern their own region on both the executive
and the legislative levels, saying there should be a continued
effort to develop it.
The Agreement said the two sides would work seriously to
resolve all tribal conflicts in the region and to boost
the coexistence between the ethnic groups there with the
view to realize stability and to serve the national interests
away from fissures and splits.
It said the two sides will at the same time deploy all
the suitable means for reaching such an objective including
the organization of seminars, workshops and training sessions
for the local leaderships.
The agreement called for giving a special consideration
to the citizens of the Blue Nile state in representation
into the various federal posts so that they would work for
serving the homeland. Qualifications and
labour law should be taken into account.
Pointing out the riches of the Blue Nile state the agreement
provided that special attention be given for the developing
the region in the animal, agriculture, forest, fisheries
and energy resources.
The Agreement called for diversifying the good use of the
agricultural lands in the region and that priority should
be given for allocating land plots to the citizens of the
region.
It urged the improvement of basic services in the region
with particular emphasis given to the health and education
services and that they should be expanded and improved in
the rural areas. It said voluntary
organizations should be encouraged to work for the development
of the Blue Nile area and to rehabilitate what was destroyed
by the war in the region.
The Agreement called for the establishment of a specialized
organization to operate in the Blue Nile area and whose
objective would be the development of the region and attracting
state, federal and voluntary contributions to the area.
The Agreement called for giving a special consideration
to the local administration in the region so that these
local administrations would contribute in propagating the
culture of peace in collaboration with the other concerned
state and federal organs.
The Agreement stipulated a general amnesty for all those
who were carrying arms and returned to the homeland and
that the returnees be accommodated and be employed in the
various society organizations.
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LILIIR PEACE CONFERENCE EAST BANK NILOTIC PEOPLE TO PEOPLE
PEACE AND RECONCILIATION CONFERENCE UPPER NILE, SUDAN
9-15 May 2000
A gathering of traditional and civil leaders was convened
in Liliir (Bor, county), to reconcile the differences and
conflicts between the Anyuak, Dinka (Bor & Padang),
Jie, Kachipo, Murle (Boma) and Nuer (Gawaar & Lou),
and to establish harmony and peace amongst themselves. The
spirit of the conference was reflected at the opening by
the ceremonial sacrifice of a 'White Bull', and concluded
with the declaration of a joint covenant between the represented
ethnic groups. The covenant was sealed with the sacrifice
of a 'White Ox', the offering
of Christian worship, and the signatures of each of the
participating delegates and observers, publicly recorded.
The following outlines their covenant:
"Under the facilitation of the NSCC, and witnessed
by many church leaders and other citizens of Sudan, we,
the delegates of the Liliir conference have established
a covenant of peace and reconciliation between us. We declare
our intention today to cease from hostile acts, and commit
ourselves to the practical measures necessary to ensure
the integrity and sustainability of our agreement. Recalling
the spirit and wisdom handed down from our ancestors, and
the memory of our daughters and sons who have unnecessarily
died over the past 10 years, we pledge ourselves to observe
and implement this covenant and its accompanying resolutions.
We have unanimously agreed that:
all traditional hostilities will cease among us, and that
all military (and militia) groups are to respect the civilian
population and abide by, and protect, this covenant; the
conditions necessary to foster local peace and development
are brought about by our communities and leaders, and the
provision of basic essential services for the people are
made available and improved; an amnesty will be upheld for
all offences against our people and their property prior
to the conference, in the spirit of reconciliation and unity.
The amnesty takes effect from this date; all abducted women
and children are freely returned to their places of origin,
and where necessary, marriage customs are fulfilled; freedom
of movement across our common borders is upheld, and trade
and communication is encouraged and supported; all cross
border agreements are respected and the authority of the
border chiefs and police patrols are justly observed; access
to common areas for grazing, fishing and water points will
be regulated and shared peacefully among us; we will demand
good governance from our leaders for the achievement of
unity and the observance of human rights; we will advocate
on behalf of our sisters and brothers who have been scattered
and displaced, especially those from the Bor area, for their
return to their homeland with the encouragement and co-operation
of their communities, leaders and civil authorities of origin.
In conclusion, we appeal that the people from Upper Nile
who were either blocked or did not have an opportunity to
participate in the conference be told about our deliberations
and be encouraged to meet with us in the
near future so that the East Bank peoples' peace process
can be widened and deepened. This covenant reflects the
will of the people represented at Liliir. It incorporates
the resolutions of the conference (attached), and we urge
that they be implemented with the full assistance and protection
of the civil authorities under all of the
southern liberation movements. We hope that the friends
of Upper Nile will support our efforts and consolidate our
desire for peace."
15 May 2000
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LIBYAN-EGYPTIAN PROPOSALS ON NATIONAL RECONCILIATION
IN THE SUDAN
Confident in the strategic ties between the Arab Republic
of Egypt, the Great Jamahiria and the Sudan. Based on the
historical responsibility to preserve the unity, security
and stability of the Sudan and its wish to
activate and speed up the agreement on specific steps to
pave the way for starting the dialogue and pushing the negotiations
forward. The Sudanese Concerned Parties, in expression of
their true desires, hereby declare their Commitment to work
towards realizing Peace and Comprehensive national reconciliation
in the Sudan, which is based on the following basis and
Principles:
1. The unity of Sudan should be preserved
2. Citizenship should be the basis for exercising rights
and duties.
3. Recognition of the racial, religious and cultural diversity
of the Sudanese people
4. Safeguarding the principle of democratic pluralism and
freedom of expression; separation of legislative, executive
and judicial powers
5. Guarantees for basic freedoms and observance of human
rights
6. Establishing of a decentralized system of government
that will achieve balanced development and a just distribution
of wealth and power
7. A foreign policy that observes higher national interests
8. Formation of an interim government in which all political
forces would be represented. This government would oversee
the implementation of all the points laid out in the political
agreement and the organisation and convening of a national
conference to revise the constitution and set a date for
holding general elections.
9. An Immediate Cessation of Hostilities.
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DECLARATION OF THE COMBONI MISSIONARIES WORKING IN SOUTHERN
SUDAN
Nairobi, 19 January 2001
We, the Comboni Missionaries working in the "liberated
areas" of Southern Sudan, gathered for our annual assembly,
have painfully analysed and evaluated the present tragic
situation of war and violence. We have come to the unanimous
conviction that the situation of war in Sudan at the present
stage has become immoral and a tragic farce. It is not any
longer a struggle for freedom of the Sudanese people and
for the defence of human rights. The war has become a struggle
for power, business and greed. Many heartless people are
taking advantage of it and enrich themselves at the expense
of the poor. Global interests have the Sudanese resources
at heart, not the wellbeing of the Sudanese people. Religion
is distorted and misused as a means for other interests.
The number of victims is escalating, especially among women
and children.
Spiritual, human and cultural values are getting lost. Corruption,
tribalism and fratricidal hatred are fostered. Degradation,
underdevelopment and anarchy increase. Humanity in Sudan
is getting lost. The word "liberation" is abused.
What improvement do we see? Oppressors and oppressed are
running for their life. Northerners against Southerners,
Northerners against Northerners, Southerners against Southerners,
Nuer and Dinka are fighting against Arabs. Nuer and Arabs
are fighting against Dinka; Dinka against Dinka; Nuer against
Nuer,
Didinga against Dinka. There are no winners. All are losing.
NGOs and churches prolong the fighting through the relief
aid that unknowingly supports also the warring factions.
The country has so much wealth and natural resources that
would guarantee a good livelihood for all Sudanese.
We Comboni Missionaries, working in the Liberated Area
of Southern Sudan, have decided to "break the silence"
and intensify our commitment against the injustice that
fuels the war in Sudan. We appeal to you
leaders of the warring sides: "In the name of God,
lay down the guns! Stop fighting!" We appeal to all
people of goodwill: "break the silence" and intensify
your mediation for peace in Sudan! We appeal to you, political
and economic powers of the world: "Give up your greed
and your selfish interests! Help Sudan to regain its lost
humanity and identity."
Agreed upon by 30 Comboni Missionaries working in Southern
Sudan.
Justice and Peace Committee Co-Ordinator, Fr. Michele Stragapede,
MCCJ
