General information
Part of Conflict: Sudan: Government
Date of first stated goals of incompatibility: 1983-07-31
Comment on date of first stated goal of incompatibility: SPLM/A was founded in 1983 and the first stated goal of incompatibility from SPLM/A is from their manifest from 31 July 1983. In that manifest SPLM/A states that: "The SPLA is fighting to establish a united Socialist Sudan".
The president of SPLM/A John Garang developed this at different occasions. Garang’s vision was that the armed struggle in the South must of necessity engulf the whole Sudan because of the oneness of the Sudan people and the unity and integrity of Sudan. He further states at a speech 3 March 1984 that:
“The anarchy in production, the separatist tendencies in the various regions of our beloved country the moral decay and all the ills that I have enumerated can only be solved within the context of a united Sudan under a socialist system that affords democracy and human rights to all nationalities and guarantees freedom to all religions, beliefs, and outlooks. A united and a socialist Sudan can be achieved only through protracted revolutionary armed struggle. Peaceful struggle has always been met with ruthless suppression and callous killing of our beloved people."
This holistic view of Sudan and that a change was needed for the whole country was further emphasized when Garang answered then. President Nimeri offered Garang to include seven Southerners in his Cabinet. “What about Darfur? The Beja? and the Nuba? Do they have to take up arms before they are recognized?”
Within the SPLM/A their have been extensive divisions about how much they should focus on independence/autonomy for the South and how much they should fight for a change of the whole of Sudan. However, John Garang continuously stated that he wanted a change for the whole of Sudan until his death in a helicopter accident 30 July 2005.
Date of first use of armed force: 1983-05-16
Comment on date of first use of armed force: The present conflict in Sudan is said to have been sparked by army mutinies at Bor and Pibor on 16 May 1983, where the prime mover was Kerbino Kuanyin Bol and his men. This action however also sparked the birth of the SPLM/A movement and therefore the goal of incompatibility is stated after the first use of armed force.
First Battle Related Death: 1983-05-16
Comment on First Battle Related Death: Bor and Pibor were attacked on 16 May 1983, and after two days of fighting the rebels claimed to have killed 100 enemy soldiers.
Date when dyad reached 25 battle releated deaths: 1983-05-17
Comment on date when dyad reached 25 battle related deaths: Bor and Pibor were attacked on 16 May 1983, and after two days of fighting the rebels claimed to have killed 100 enemy soldiers.
Conflict issues
Conflict Goal Issues: The SPLM/A was a rebel group that fought the [Government of Sudan(/#/actor/112). The group had a secular ideology and put its focus on subnational issues that revolved around the creation of a “new Sudan”. The first conflict goal issues stated by the group were documented in 1983. In that year, the SPLM/A published a manifesto and outlined the key aspects of the state that the group envisioned. Its proposals included the separation of state and church, freedom of association for all faiths, as well as a “socialist transformation”.
A wide range of conflict goal issues by the SPLM/A were documented from 1983 until 2004. These were voiced throughout the whole time with remarkable continuity. An exception here is the call for a socialist state which could only be documented in 1983. In contrast to this, calls for a democratic system were documented 10 times from 1985 until 2003. For a short period of time, the SPLM/A suggested a so-called confederation as a solution to the territorial conflict with the [Government of Sudan(/#/actor/112), which, however, was intended as an interim solution until the future of the south was determined. While the SPLM/A multiple times called to oust the [Government of Sudan(/#/actor/112), these calls were only documented until the late 1990s. In contrast to this, calls for sharing power in the executive were mostly documented in the early 2000s.
A wide range of conflict goal issues by the SPLM/A were documented frequently and with strong emphasis. Three main issues can be distinguished, which all revolve around state structures in the “new Sudan”. For over 20 year, calls for a democratic shift by the SPLM/A could be documented that addressed decision making and democratic participation in Sudan. In 1986 for example, the movement’s leader John Garang declared: “We are fighting to effectively participate in the decision-making of our country, in the restructuring of political power in Khartoum. […] Our aims are to create a new Sudan.”. Another key suggestion for the political system was having a strict separation of religion and the state. For example, in 1991, John Garang declared a united secular Sudan as the movement’s goal. Related to its secular agenda, the SPLM/A put great emphasis on changing the judicial system. The group called for the removal of the influence of Islamic law and the cancellation of sharia law.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: The first conflict dynamic issues by the SPLM/A were documented in 1983. In that year, the group called for increasing foreign influence in the conflict. In its manifesto, the group stated its plan to establish political offices in other countries to gather political and military support. It also emphasized that it would strive for “intellectual, moral, military and other material assistance”, from countries or organizations that are sympathetic to the SPLM/A’s goals.
While a large number of conflict dynamic statements by the SPLM/A could be documented, only few of them demanded a decrease of foreign involvement in the conflict. Such statements were mostly made in the 1990s when the group protested against a deal between the [Government of Sudan(/#/actor/112) and a Canadian oil company. Even though, the conflict was highly violent, only few statements regarding the use of violence by the [Government of Sudan(/#/actor/112) could be documented and only in the late 1990s. Most conflict dynamic statements related to an increase of foreign involvement in the conflict and for example included calls for financial, diplomatic, military, or humanitarian support.
Two main conflict dynamic issues by the SPLM/A can be distinguished. The conflict dynamic issue documented most often were calls for humanitarian aid. For example, a statement in 1991 declared: “If the end of the war is not in sight, people will suffer and perish. We appeal to international relief organistions for more help.”. Another frequently raised issue by the SPLM/A, were calls for financial support. Often this took the form of calls for development assistance for the so-called “new Sudan”.
Conflict Resolution Issues: The first conflict resolution issues by the SPLM/A were documented in 1985. In that year, the group called for peace negotiations as well as a national conference on the “southern problem”. Later in the same year, the group stated that “the SPLA and its leadership will never meet or talk with the present military leadership in Khartoum.”
Most conflict resolution issues by the SPLM/A expressed calls for a ceasefire in the conflict, or statements in favor or against negotiations. In 1989, the group called for the implementation of a peace accord from 1988. In 1998, the group expressed its plans for increasing accountability, by having hard punishments for SPLM/A officials who turn out to be involved in corruption. The SPLM/A declared that it aimed to completely eliminate corruption within its ranks.
One main conflict resolution issue by the SPLM/A can be identified which is calling for negotiations. Many calls could be documented from the mid-1980s until the mid-2000s. Usually, the group listed certain issues as starting conditions for negotiations, as in 1998: “As a matter of principle, the SPLM will continue to enter into peace talks for peaceful settlement of the Sudanese conflict with the Government of the day in Khartoum, but this must be on the basis of confederation, self-determination and the New Sudan.”
Type of conflict issues: *Conflict Goal Issues: * Autonomy, Basic needs, Bureaucratic setup, Change economic system, Change judicial system, Civil rights, Confederation/union, Constitutional issues, Corruption, CPS: Democracy, CPS: Other/undefined system, CPS: Socialist state, Cultural rights, Decentralization, Economic reforms, Executive power-sharing, Executive power-sharing: interim, Federalism, Foreign policy reform, Freedom of expression, Freedom of movement, Gender rights, Hold elections, Human rights, Language rights, Law and order, Oust full executive, Parliamentary power-sharing, Protection of natural resources/the environment, Public services, Referendum, Reform executive structure, Religious rights, Restructure military forces, Revenues from natural resources, Rule of law
*Conflict Dynamics Issues: * Atrocities and abuses, Collective targeting: ethnic, DFI: Removal of foreigners, DFI: Withdrawal of financial support, DFI: Withdrawal of humanitarian aid, DFI: Withdrawal of military intervention/foreign forces, DFI: Withdrawal of political support, IFI: Financial support, IFI: Humanitarian aid, IFI: International monitoring, IFI: Military intervention/foreign forces, IFI: Military support, IFI: Political support, IFI: Recognition, IFI: Support from diasporas/foreign fighters, IFI: Use of foreign influence, Return of refugees/IDPs
*Conflict Resolution Issues: * Accountability/prosecution/investigation, Call for ceasefire, Call for implementation/abiding to ceasefire, Call for negotiations, National dialogue, Opposition to negotiations, Opposition to peace agreement, Peace agreement implementation, Structure of negotiations
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1983
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
1984
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
1985
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
1986
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
1987
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
1988
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1000 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: DUP/SPLM Sudan Peace Agreement
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 1988-11-16
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement.
Talks in Addis Ababa between Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), one of three parties in Khartoums ruling coalition, and SPLM/A resulted in the signing on 16 November of the DUP/SPLM Sudan Peace Agreement also called the November Accords.
The agreement between SPLM/A and DUP called for a ceasefire, the abrogation of all military agreements and the lifting of the state of emergency.
The incompatibility would be solved through the holding of a national constitutional conference by 31 December 1988. The agreement also called for a freeze in the implementation of Islamic Sharia laws by the postponement of the introduction of the proposed new legal code until the national constitutional conference would be held.
Signatories: Uthman al-Mirghani for DUP and John Garang for SPLM/A
Comment of signatories: DUP (Democratic Unionist Party), one of three parties in Khartoums ruling coalition and the rebel group opposing the government, SPLM/A (Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement/Army) signed the agreement in Addis Ababa.
Third parties: Egypt
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Even though Egypt was biased in the conflict by supplying the Sudanese government with military assistance they managed to open up contacts between Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and SPLM/A in the mid-1988.
Some observers also suggest the involvement of Ethiopia in getting the actors together.
Ended: True
Date agreement ended: 1988-12-21
Comment of Duration: The agreement was to be of short duration due to events in the government later the same year. The opposition in the coalition government, National Islamic Front (NIF), did not accept the Addis Ababa agreement and were reluctant to freezing Islamic law and towards abrogating pacts with Egypt and Libya. NIF, which denounced the Addis Ababa talks as ‘conspiracy’ to block Islamic law, and the Prime Minister Sadiq al- Mahdi voted down a DUP amendment to recognize the terms of the SPLA-DUP accord. Although al-Mahdi initially encouraged the peace talks, he himself was not committed to the accord. Some observers have criticized this move from al-Mahdi as trying to appear to support peace while keeping the NIF in the Government. However, DUP resigned from government as of 27 December that year.
Full-text peace agreement
1989
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 5253 |
| Best | 4253 |
| Low | 4253 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
1990
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 4335 |
| Best | 4335 |
| Low | 4335 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
1991
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 4317 |
| Best | 1317 |
| Low | 1317 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
1992
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 4083 |
| Best | 1083 |
| Low | 1083 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
1993
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 942 |
| Best | 942 |
| Low | 942 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
1994
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 337 |
| Best | 337 |
| Low | 337 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
1995
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1882 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 1000 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
1996
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2152 |
| Best | 2152 |
| Low | 2152 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
1997
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 6516 |
| Best | 3005 |
| Low | 3005 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
1998
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 4807 |
| Best | 4211 |
| Low | 4211 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
1999
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1189 |
| Best | 1000 |
| Low | 1000 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
2000
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2699 |
| Best | 1930 |
| Low | 1930 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
2001
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 3607 |
| Best | 3357 |
| Low | 3357 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
2002
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 3024 |
| Best | 2021 |
| Low | 2021 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Machakos Protocol
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2002-07-20
Comment of peace agreement: Peace process agreement
On 20 July SPLM/A and the government signed a framework agreement, the Machakos Protocol, which included the general procedures for a transitional process and an agreement that further negotiations would be held to specify the terms of this framework. They also reached a specific agreement that was annexed to the framework with the purpose of subsequently being incorporated in the final agreement. The specifications included a pre-transition perioed of six months, a six-year transition period, followed by an internationally supervised referendum for southern Sudan where one option was to be secession.During the transition period a broad-based government would rule in Khartoum and the southern states would be given some degree of autonomy.
It further stated that Sharia law would be applied only in the north. There were however issues concerning sharing of power and wealth, human rights and a ceasefire that were still to be clarified.
Signatories: For the Government of Sudan: Dr. Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani; For SPLM/A: Cdr. Salva Kiir Mayardit;
Witnessed by: Lt. Gen. Lazaro K. Sumbeiywo, Special Envoy, IGAD Sudan Peace Process, on behalf of the IGAD envoys.
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement
Third parties: Kenya
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: The agreement was signed in Kenya
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: Memorandum of Understanding on Cessation of Hostilities between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People´s Liberation Movement/Army
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2002-10-15
Comment of peace agreement: Peace process agreement
This short agreement between the Government of Sudan and SPLM/A resumed negotiations and called for a ceasefire. The agreement stated that negotiations, which had last been held in Machakos, Kenya on 2 September 2002, should be resumed on the 15 October. The negotiations would aim to address all outstanding issues. A cessation of hostilities was called for during the period of negotiations, including ending media wars and the use of propaganda. Humanitarian access was granted to reach people in need and the parties requested mediators to assist with establishing means of communication between them to facilitate the cessation of hostilities.
Signatories: Hon. Idris Mohammed Abdel Gadir
For: the Government of the Sudan
Cdr. Nhial Deng Nhial For: The Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army
Lt. Gen Lazaro K. Sumbeiywo, Special Envoy, IGAD Sudan Peace Process and on behalf of IGAD Envoys
Comment of signatories: Comprehensive peace agreement signed on 15 October 2002.
Third parties: IGAD
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: IGAD facilitated the peace process to end the South Sudan conflict.
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People´s Liberation Movement/Army on Aspects of Structures of Government
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2002-11-18
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
This agreement outlines principles for governance that were agreed upon in this document and decided to be incorporated in the final Peace Agreement. The principles outlined power sharing and process for the interim period.
Regarding the incompatibility, this agreement recognized the national sovereignty of Sudan and acknowledged the aspirations of the people of South Sudan. It incorporated South Sudanese representation in the National Legislature, National Civil Service, and Cabinet Ministries. A Government of National Unity was established for the Interim Period and general elections were to be held during the period.
The agreement also stipulates protection of human rights and remaining issues to be agreed through further negotiations.
Signatories: Dr. Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani
For: The Government of the Sudan
Cdr. Salva Kiir Mayardit For: The Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army
Witnessed by: Lt. Gen. Lazaro K. Sumbeiywo, Special Envoy, IGAD Sudan Peace Process and on Behalf of IGAD Envoys
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement signed in Nairobi, Kenya on 18 November 2002.
The peace process did not include other active rebel groups.
Third parties: IGAD
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: IGAD facilitated the Sudanese peace process.
Full-text peace agreement
2003
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 120 |
| Best | 44 |
| Low | 44 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Agreement on Security Arrangements During the Interim Period
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2003-09-25
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
This is a partial agreement, part of the Machakos process, and concerns security issues for the interim period.
The parties agreed that an internationally monitored ceasefire would come into place once the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed. Following such an agreement both parties’ forces would be downsized appropriately. During the interim period the bulk of the parties’ forces were to remain separate entities, but if the outcome of the final referendum on Southern Sudan’s territorial status would be unity, and not secession, the armies were to become a unified, integrated, army. It was also agreed that during the interim period a small number of joint/integrated units would be created to be stationed in Southern Sudan, Khartoum, the Nuba Mountains and the Blue Nile territories.The issue of police forces was to be dealt with in future negotiations.
Signatories: For the Government of Sudan: Hon. Idris Mohamed Abdelgadir;
For SPLM/A: Cdr. Pa’gan Amun Oklech;
Witnessed by: Lt. Gen. Lazaro K. Sumbeiywo (Rtd), Special Envoy, IGAD Sudan Peace Process, on behalf of the IGAD envoys
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement
Third parties: Kenya
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: The agreement was signed in Kenya.
Full-text peace agreement
2004
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 367 |
| Best | 253 |
| Low | 253 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Framework on Wealth Sharing During the Pre-Interim and Interim Period
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2004-01-07
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
This is a partial agreement, part of the Machakos process. The most important point in the agreement is that the parties agree on a 50-50 split of oil revenues in southern Sudan. Moreover, separate banking systems are to be applied in the north and the south.
Signatories: For the Government of Sudan: Hon. Idris Mohamed Abdelgadir;
For SPLM/A: Cdr. Nhial Deng Nhial;
Witnessed by: Lt. Gen. Lazaro K. Sumbeiywo (Rtd), Special Envoy, IGAD Sudan Peace Process, on behalf of the IGAD envoys
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement
Third parties: Kenya
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: The agreement was signed in Kenya
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: Protocol Between the GOS and SPLM on Power Sharing
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2004-05-26
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
This is a partial agreement, part of the Machakos process, and attempts to regulate the incompatibility through establishing a power-sharing regime in the Sudan.There are three arrangements within the protocol that stand out as the most important. The first is the establishment of an interim constitution, the second the creation of a Government of Southern Sudan and the third is a power-sharing arrangement at the central government level of the Sudan.The establishment of a Government of Southern Sudan is for the interim period only, and should be seen as autonomy arrangement with the GOS having a somewhat lower level of authority than the central government of Sudan, but still with a legislative assembly and executive powers. In the legislature of Southern Sudan the SPLM will have 70% of the seats, and the ruling Khartoum party (NCP) 15%. Other Southern Sudan political forces receive 15% of the seats. The same formula is applied to the executive authority of Southern Sudan. The GOS is also given the right to control its own police and security forces.At the national level a power-sharing arrangement was brokered, which meant that the SPLM leader John Garang was appointed first Vice-President and that a formula of 52% of seats for the NCP and 28% of seats for the SPLM was applied to the National Assembly.The two governments will deal with the issue of resettlement of refugees and IDP’s in concert.
Signatories: The Government of Sudan and SPLM/A.
Vice-President Ali Osman Taha and the head of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) John Garang
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement
Third parties: Kenya
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: The agreement was signed in Kenya.
Kenyan government officials and foreign dignitaries, including United States Acting Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Charles Snyder, African Union Commission Chairperson Alpha Oumar Konare, Norwegian International Development Minister Hilde Frafjord Johnson and Kenyan Minister for Foreign Affairs Kalonzo Musyoka, witnessed the signing ceremony.
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: The Protocol Between the GOS and SPLM on the Resolution of Conflict in Abyei Area
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2004-05-26
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
This is a partial agreement, part of the Machakos process, dealing with the issue of the much-contested Abyei area on the border between Northern and Southern Sudan.
The agreement stated that a joint battalion, comprised of forces from SPLM/A and the Government of the Sudan, was to be stationed in the area through the Interim period. Also, an Abyei Area Security Committee is created, in which the police chief will be a member, to ensure law and order.Simultaneously with the referendum for the south, the people in Abyei will cast a separate ballot, choosing between retaining its special administrative status in the north, or becoming a part of Bahr el Ghazal (in southern Sudan). It is also stated how the oil revenues shall be divided: 50 % to the National Government, 42% to the Government of Southern Sudan, and the rest shared locally. A fund will be set up to facilitate the return of refugees and displaced persons.
Signatories: The Government of Sudan and SPLM/A
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: The Protocol Between the GOS and SPLM on the Resolution of Conflict in Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile States
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2004-05-26
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
This is a partial agreement, part of the Machakos process. The parties agreed on the administration of these contested areas on the border between the north and the south.The agreement reaffirms the standing of the two entities of Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile States as federal states of Sudan. The parties agreed to a power-sharing arrangement in the state legislature of these two entities, with 55% of seats in the hands of the NPC (the party governing the Sudan) and 45% of seats under the control of the SPLM. The states are given no special standing, as was the case in the Abyei area settlement. The power-sharing arrangement is for the interim period only, elections will be held after the interim period to allow for a democratically elected government and assembly in these areas. The GOS and the government of the Sudan will agree jointly on a program for the resettlement of refugees and IDPs.
Signatories: The Government of Sudan and SPLM/A.
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement
Third parties: Kenya
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: The agreement was signed in Kenya.
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: Nairobi Declaration on the Final Phase of Peace in the Sudan
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2004-06-05
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
This agreement was signed under the auspices of the IGAD peace process. It reaffirms commitments to a number of previous agreements: 2002 Machakos Protocol, 2003 Agreement on Security Arrangements During the Interim Period, 2004 Agreement on Wealth Sharing During the Pre-Interim and Interim Period, 2004 Protocol Between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement on Power Sharing, 2004 Protocol Between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement on the Resolution of Conflict In Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile States, 2004 Protocol Between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement on the Resolution of the Conflict in Abyei Area, and 2002 Memorandum of Understanding on Cessation of Hostilities.
Regarding the incompatibility, the agreement recommits to principle components of each of the previously signed agreements, taking specific note of the right of self-determination and power sharing arrangements. These agreements, annexes, and modalities are decided to constitute the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to initiate the Pre-Interim Period. These points are committed to for future negotiations, to constitute the final phase of the Sudan Peace Process to resolve the issues in the Sudan conflict.
Signatories: H.E. Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, First Vice-President of the Government of the Republic of the Sudan;
Dr. John Garang de Mabior, Chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM);
Witness by: Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya and on behalf of the IGAD Ministerial Sub-Committee on Sudan
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement signed in Nairobi on 5 June 2004.
The agreement did not include other rebel grounps in Sudan, namely SLM/A and JEM.
Third parties: IGAD
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: IGAD facilitated the Sudanese peace process.
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: Declaration on the Conclusion of the IGAD Negotiations on Peace in the Sudan
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2004-11-19
Comment of peace agreement: Partial peace agreement
In this short agreement, parties reaffirm the Nairobi Declaration signed 5 June 2004 and affirm their commitment to the related Protocols. They invite the UN to endorse these agreements. They agree to complete negotiations for the Ceasefire Agreement and Implementation Modalities to facilitate the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement no later than 31 December 2004.
Signatories: Hon Yahya Hussin Babikar for the Government of the Republic of the Sudan
Cdr. Nhial Deng Nhial for the SPLM/A
WITNESSED BY: Lt. Gen. Lazaro K. Sumbeiywo (Rtd.), On Behalf of the IGAD Envoys; Dr. Jan Pronk, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations;
IN THE PRESENCE OF: The United Nations Security Council; Ambassador Abdallah Baali, Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations; Ambassador Ismael Gaspar Martins, Permanent Representative of Angola to the United Nations; Ambassador Joel Adechi, Permanent Representative of Benin to the United Nations; Ambassador Ronaldo Sardenberg, Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations; Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sablière, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations; Ambassador Gunter Pleuger, Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations; Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations; Ambassador Lauro Baja, Jr, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations; Ambassador Mihnea Motoc, Permanent Representative of Romania to the United Nations; Ambassador Andrey Denisov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations; Ambassador Juan Antonio Yáñez-Barnuevo, Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations; Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations; Ambassador John Danforth, Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement signed in Nairobi on 19 November 2004.
The agreement did not include other rebel grounps in Sudan, namely SLM/A and JEM.
Third parties: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), IGAD, UN
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: IGAD facilitated the Sudanese peace process.
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: Agreement Between the Government of the Sudan (GOS) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLM/SPLA) on Implementation Modalities of the Protocols and Agreements
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2004-12-31
Comment of peace agreement: Partial Peace Agreement
This agreement introduces subsequent agreements that outline the modalities for the different components of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). The agreement reaffirms commitment to the 2002 Machakos Protocol, 2003 Agreement on Security Arrangements During the Interim Period, 2004 Agreement on Wealth Sharing During the Pre-Interim and Interim Period, 2004 Protocol Between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement on Power Sharing, 2004 Protocol Between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement on the Resolution of Conflict In Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile States, 2004 Protocol Between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement on the Resolution of the Conflict in Abyei Area. It further acknowledges that these documents together constitute the CPA. It introduces mechanisms to be included in the CPA.
Signatories: Government, SPLM/A
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement signed in Naivasha, Kenya on 31 December 2004.
The agreement did not include other rebel groups in Sudan, namely SLM/A and JEM.
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: The Implementation Modalities for the Protocol on the Resolution of Conflict in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile States, dated 26th May, 2004
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2004-12-31
Comment of peace agreement: Partial Peace Agreement
This agreement is one of the documents comprising the implementation modalities for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. It details modalities to resolve the conflict in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile States. The agreement contains provisions on the establishment of a state legislature and appointment or electoral processes for local governance positions, security arrangements, and pre-election arrangements for each state.
Regarding the incompatibility, the agreement details power-sharing arrangements, incorporating the rebel group into the political process, and providing for greater opportunity of representation at the local level through creation of state level governance structures.
The agreement also details monitoring arrangements, establishment of state judiciary, wealth sharing and allocation of resources to the state, and creation of a State Land Commission. An appendix expands upon integration of rebel forces in government and the modalities for local governance systems in Southern Kordofan.
Signatories: Government, SPLM/A
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement signed in Naivasha, Kenya on 31 December 2004.
The agreement did not include other rebel groups in Sudan, namely SLM/A and JEM.
Third parties: Though not a signatory, IGAD facilitated the Sudanese peace process.
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: The Implementation Modalities of the Protocol on Power Sharing, dated 26th May, 2004
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2004-12-31
Comment of peace agreement: Partial Peace Agreement
This agreement is one of the documents comprising the implementation modalities for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. It details modalities of the Machakos and Power Sharing Protocols. Key components include provision for a referendum for the people of South Sudan, national reconciliation process, general elections, local governing structures, and power sharing.
With regard to the incompatibility, this agreement provided structure, timeline, and other modalities for power sharing processes and institutions. It provided for integration of rebel forces in certain governing bodies at the national level and stipulated percentages of seats to be held by certain members for balanced representation.
Other provisions allowed for the development and promotion of national languages and the establishment of a Human Rights commission, drafting of the national constitution.
Signatories: Government, SPLM/A
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement signed in Naivasha, Kenya on 31 December 2004.
The agreement did not include other rebel groups in Sudan, namely SLM/A and JEM.
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: Though not a signatory, IGAD facilitated the Sudanese peace process.
Full-text peace agreement
Name of peace agreement: The Implementation Modalities of the Protocol on the Resolution of the Abyei Conflict, dated 26th May, 2004
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2004-12-31
Comment of peace agreement: Partial Peace Agreement
This agreement is one of the documents comprising the implementation modalities for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. It details modalities to resolve the conflict in the Abyei Conflict. The agreement specifies administrative status and structure, financial resources to be allocated, the establishment of a commission to decide geographical boundaries, rights of residence and representation, security arrangements, a referendum, and reconciliation processes. An appendix details the structure and mandate of the Abyei Boundaries Commission.
With regard to the incompatibility, the agreement provides structures for representation in central and local governance for people in the Abyei region and outlines the process for a referendum.
Signatories: Government, SPLM/A
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement signed in Naivasha, Kenya on 31 December 2004.
The agreement did not include other rebel groups in Sudan, namely SLM/A and JEM.
Third parties: Though not a signatory, IGAD facilitated the Sudanese peace process.
Full-text peace agreement
2005
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
Peace agreements
Name of peace agreement: Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement
Date when warring parties signed the agreement: 2005-01-09
Comment of peace agreement: Full peace agreement
This final peace agreement concludes the Machakos process that have been ongoing since July 2002. Having signed several partial agreements during these past two and a half years, the parties have now managed to agree on all details. Summing up the contents of the agreement, the most important points are: the south will be given autonomy for an interim period of 6 years, followed by a referendum in 2011 with the option of independence from Sudan; John Garang, the leader of SPLM/A, shall be First Vive President, and SPLM/A are also given 28 percent of the seats in the National Government; Sharia law is to be applied only in the north and only to Muslims; the oil revenues in the south are to be shared 50-50 between the north and the south; the forces of the National Government and SPLA are to remain separate, but integrated units of 21 000 troops are to be formed; the government has two and a half years to withdraw 91 000 troops from the south, and SPLA has eight months to withdraw its troops from the north, and; the north and the south shall have separate banking systems and currencies.
Consult the individual protocols making up this agreement for specific details.
Signatories: For the government of Sudan:H.E. Ali Osman Mohamed Taha
For SPLM/SPLA Dr. Johan Garang de Mabior
Witnessed by H.E. Hon. Mwai Kibaki (President of the Republic of Kenya on behalf of the IGAD Sub-committee on the Sudan ) H.E. Hon. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (President of the Republic of Uganda on Behalf of IGAD Member States) H.E. Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit (Egyptian Minister of Forein Affairs on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Egypt ) Senator Alfredo Mantica (Italian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Government of Italy) H.E Mr. Fred Racke (Special Envoy of the Netherlands) H.E. Ms. Hilde F Johnson (Minister of International Development on behalf of the Royal Norwegian Government) Right Hon. Hilary Benn, M.P. (Secretary of State for International Development On behalf of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland) Mr. Colin L. Powell (United States Secretary of State On behalf of the United States of America) H.E. Mr. Alpha Oumar Konare (Chairperson of the African Union on behalf of the African Union) Hon. Charles Goerens (Minister of developrnent Co-operation of Netherlands on behalf of the European Union) H.E. Ms. Hilde F Johnson (Minister of International development on behalf of the IGAD Partners Forrum (IPF)) Senator Alfredo Mantica (Deputy Minister for Forein Affairs on behalf of the IGAD Partners Forrum (IPF)) H.E Mr. Amre Moussa Secretary General of the League of of Arab States on behalf of the League of of Arab States) H.E. Mr. Jan Pronk Special Representative od the Secretary General in the Sudan on behalf of the United Nations
Comment of signatories: Dyadic peace agreement
Third parties: IGAD, EU, UN, AU, Kenya, Uganda, Egypt, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, UK, USA, League of Arab States
Comment of third parties role in peace agreement: The agreement was signed in Nairobi.
H.E. Hon. Mwai Kibaki (President of the Republic of Kenya on behalf of the IGAD Sub-committee on the Sudan ) H.E. Hon. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (President of the Republic of Uganda on Behalf of IGAD Member States) H.E. Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit (Egyptian Minister of Forein Affairs on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Egypt ) Senator Alfredo Mantica (Italian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Government of Italy) H.E Mr. Fred Racke (Special Envoy of the Netherlands) H.E. Ms. Hilde F Johnson (Minister of International Development on behalf of the Royal Norwegian Government) Right Hon. Hilary Benn, M.P. (Secretary of State for International Development On behalf of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland) Mr. Colin L. Powell (United States Secretary of State On behalf of the United States of America) H.E. Mr. Alpha Oumar Konare (Chairperson of the African Union on behalf of the African Union) Hon. Charles Goerens (Minister of developrnent Co-operation of Netherlands on behalf of the European Union) H.E. Ms. Hilde F Johnson (Minister of International development on behalf of the IGAD Partners Forrum (IPF)) Senator Alfredo Mantica (Deputy Minister for Forein Affairs on behalf of the IGAD Partners Forrum (IPF)) H.E Mr. Amre Moussa Secretary General of the League of of Arab States on behalf of the League of of Arab States) H.E. Mr. Jan Pronk Special Representative od the Secretary General in the Sudan on behalf of the United Nations
Full-text peace agreement
2006
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
2007
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
2008
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
2011
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 0 |
| Best | 0 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (Government of Sudan): n/a
Side B (SPLM/A): n/a
Dyad Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1983 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: In the beginning of 1983, the Sudanese government suffered several mutinies in the south leading to serious clashes between troops loyal to the government and a widespread rebellion in the south. The armed resistance in the South was undertaken by a tribally-based separatist group calling itself Anya Nya II, with resemblances to the rebel group of Anya Nya in the 1970s, but was soon superseded by the more sophisticated and powerful SPLM/A. Followed by the mutiny in Bor, Col. Joh Garang established SPLM/A, the Sudanese army was demoralized therefore, initially, SPLM/A won a series of strategic victories. Followed by the violent developments in Southern Sudan the organized opposition against the Nimeiri government led by John Garang was established as SPLM (Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement) with its armed wing SPLA (Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement/Army), known as SPLM/A. Developments, caused by growing discontent amongst the southern population against Khartoum, in Southern Sudan spilled over into wide scale violent clashes between government and SPLM/A troops. The conflict was characterized by small clashes between SPLM/A and the Sudanese army, mainly along the Sudan-Ethiopian border.
Negotiations: YES
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1984 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: Early 1984 were characterized by rapid escalation of violence in he south by SPLM/A against government forces. Rebel activities had by this time led to suspended operations by Chevrons Oil Company in Bentiu area and the construction of the Jonglei Canal by the Frensh Compagnie de Construction internationale (CCI), the two most important developing projects in Sudan.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: No negotiations took place between the parties; it is worth noting, however, an initiative to negotiate from president Nimeiri. In December 1984, Nimeiri sent a team to negotiate with Garang, however, the emissaries were captured and later reported to have defected to the rebels.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1985 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: On 6 April 1985, while on a state visit to the U.S., the Sudanese Army removed president Nimeiri in his absence. Former defence minister Abd al-Rahman Suwar al-Dahab replaced Nimeiri, who took refuge in Egypt, and the Transitional Military Council was set up. Dahab expressed his ambition to initiate a peace process with the southern rebels. However, Dahab lacked the skills of unifying leadership that Sudan needed. The leader of SPLM/A, John Garang, made it clear in speeches that fighting would continue, although Nimeiri had been removed. Garang saw little difference in the new government and vowed that the SPLM/A would continue its fight against both racism and bigotry. By the end of 1985 the SPLA was in control of the entire southern area, with the exception of some major towns, and had effectively isolated it from the rest of the country, cutting most of the road and river transport links.
Negotiations: YES
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1986 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: In May the Sudanese army handed over the power to a civilian government and a less legitimate election took place. The winner of this election was Nimeiri’s arch-rival Sadiq al-Mahdi, leader of the abortive coup of 1976. By mid-1986, the humanitarian situation in southern Sudan was getting critical as the SPLM/A intensified and spread out its military operations across Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal, leading to thousands of people trapped in the area. The hunger was explored as a war instrument, employed by both warring parties in order to get international assistance and aid.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: On 31 July, Garang and Prime Minister Sadiq al- Mahdi met for talks on a settlement where they discussed the two key demands of SLPM/A, suspension of the Sharia and of military pacts with Libya and Egypt, as conditions for a cease-fire. However, in August the new government’s initiatives for peace talks were suspended due to the SPLM/A bombings of a civil airplane on 16 August, killing 60 passengers.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1987 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: In April 1987, the SPLM/A rejected an offer from the government of a cease-fire while waiting for resumption of peace negotiations, referring to the demand that the state of emergency should be lifted. Large-scale clashes between the warring parties took place during the year. SPLM/A pursued violent attacks during the latter part of 1987 and early 1988. The rebels succeeded to capture a number of strategically important towns on northern part of the border dividing southern and northern Sudan.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: Attempts for negotiation had taken place during 1986-1987 with little success, however in March 1987, one year after the agreement for negotiations between Garang and Al-Mahdi, the Sudanese government announced its intentions of launching a new peace initiative. Followed by dismissals of proposals from the Sudanese government and several disagreements, the process still remained committed to a peaceful settlement on the basis of the Koka Dam Agreement of 1986.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1988 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: In April SPLM/A launched big attack on Juba and heavy fighting took place between government troops and rebels in the towns of Juba, Nasir and Kapoeta. It was obvious that the government lost control of the situation in southwestern Sudan and that it was getting out of hand.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: Talks in Addis Ababa between Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), one of three parties in Khartoums ruling coalition, and SPLM/A resulted in the signing on 16 November of an agreement representing significant compromise by both. However, the agreement was to be of short duration due to events in the government later the same year.
The opposition in the coalition government, National Islamic Front (NIF), did not accept the Addis Ababa agreement and were reluctant to freezing Islamic law and towards abrogating pacts with Egypt and Libya. NIF, which denounced the talks as ‘conspiracy’ to block Islamic law, and the Prime Minister Sadiq al- Mahdi voted down a DUP amendment to recognize the terms of the SPLM/A-DUP accord.
Although al-Mahdi initially encouraged the peace talks, he himself was not committed to the accord. Some observers have criticized this move from al-Mahdi as trying to appear to support peace while keeping the NIF in the Government. However, DUP resigned from government as of 27 December that year.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1989 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: In March a new government was announced, and it proposed a peace plan that was based on the peace deal that was reached between SPLM/A and DUP in November 1988, calling for a freeze on Islamic laws. In early May SPLA declared an immediate one-month ceasefire in their fight against government forces. It was later extended for another two weeks. The government accepted the SPLA-DUP peace deal and later it was also ratified by the parliament. The parties met for negotiations in Addis Ababa on 10-13 June, but the talks ended without any tangible results. On 30 June there was a military coup, and the new government declared a unilateral month long ceasefire and offered amnesty for all rebels who laid down arms. The ceasefire was later to be extended until the end of September. They met in Addis Ababa in August but the talks broke down when the government rejected the rebel demand for the repeal of Sharia. On 1 December they met again in Nairobi, under the unofficial mediation of former US president Jimmy Carter, but also these talks collapsed due to disagreement in basic issues.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
1990 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: In January 1991 SPLM/A and the Government of Sudan held peace talks in Zaire under the auspices of the US State Department. However, the negotiations brook down when the government refused to agree to hold a convention to write a national constitution based on multiple party democracy and to withdraw from some garrison towns in areas controlled by the rebels including some oil fields.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
1991 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: Peace talks were to begin in Nigeria in October, but they were repeatedly postponed due to splittings within SPLM/A.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
1992 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The number of deaths between SPLM/A and the government is uncertain for 1992. However, the best available estimate is that at least 1000 people died this year.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: Peace talks began on 26 May in Abuja, hosted by the Nigerian president Ibrahim Babangida in his capacity as chair of the OAU. SPLM/A faction was also present.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
1993 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: On 18 March SPLA announced a unilateral, open-ended ceasefire. Following preliminary talks in Abuja, Nigeria on 8 April negotiations between the government and SPLA began on 26 April, also in Abuja. The talks failed on 17 May after the rebels had demanded a referendum about Sharia law, concerning if it should be applied in the whole country.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
1994 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: Preliminary separate peace talks were held in Nairobi in the beginning of January. Kenyan president arap-Moi hosted the talks as chairman of IGADD (Inter-Governmental Authority on Drought and Development) that mediated between the government and SPLA. Further separate talks were held in Nairobi on 8-23 March, also hosted by IGADD. The parties then signed an agreement for safe passage of relief supplies and humanitarian assistance. Negotiations resumed on 18-20 May and later on in July on 18-28, also in Nairobi. The parties signed a Declaration of Principles on 20 July, that was supposed to be a basis for resolving the conflict, but not much seemed to come out of that. On 23 July the government declared a unilateral ceasefire which was first rejected by SPLA that continued to fight, but eventually it was accepted. The ceasefire was later broken, probably by both sides. The parties met again in Nairobi on 5-7 September for IGADD-sponsored peace talks, and also this time the talks ended in a deadlock.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
1995 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The number of battle related deaths in 1995 are uncertain but the best available estimate states that it was at least 1000 battle relate deaths during the year.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: Former US president Jimmy Carter managed to negotiate a two-month ceasefire that was unilaterally announced by the government on 28 March. Rebels were offered amnesty if they laid down weapons. SPLA-Mainstream accepted the ceasefire two days later, also calling for international monitoring. According to Carter the ceasefire was holding, with a few minor exceptions, but all parties accused each other of violating the ceasefire. The government later declared it would extend the ceasefire by another two months. SPLA accepted it on 1 June. In August the two parties agreed to resume peace talks, but not to extend the ceasefire. The talks never took place though.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
1996 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: SPLM/A was active throughout the year with heave fighting against the government of Sudan.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: On 10 April the SSIM (Southern Sudan Independence Movement) and another faction of the SPLM-United (led by Kerbino Kuanyin Bol) signed a peace process agreement with the government. The content of the agreement was quite similar to the 1995 charter but it also included an agreement on an interim period that was to be followed by a referendum on the future of Southern Sudan. Furthermore, it stated that a coordinating council would be formed between the Southern states for better implementation of this agreement. However, since it was rejected by the SPLA negotiations is coded as no for this year.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
1997 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: In July the government agreed to resume peace talks with the SPLM/A (the negotiations broke down in 1994). It also accepted a framework for negotiations proposed by IGAD (Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, mediating in the conflict) but stated that it was not binding. SPLM/A said it would not resume talks unless the framework was considered binding. In August the government called for a ceasefire but SPLM/A rejected the request. However, after some mediation by Nelson Mandela the peace talks finally began on 28 August in Nairobi under the aegis of IGAD. It was chaired by the Kenyan Foreign Minister, but Eritrea, Ethiopia and Uganda were all there as mediators. The SPLM/A proposed a referendum on southern self-determination, and the government said it accepted it in principle but proposed a north-south federations instead. The negotiations were adjourned on 11 November until April. The IGAD peace process only included the government and the SPLA, hence the NDA as an alliance was excluded from all negotiations.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
1998 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: The peace talks opened again on 4 May (after having been adjourned in August 1997) in Nairobi under the auspices of IGAD, but ended only two days later without any substantial results. On 15 July the SPLA declared a 3-month ceasefire in Bahr el-Ghazal to allow humanitarian aid and the government followed. In August the government declared a unilateral ceasefire throughout southern Sudan but this was dismissed by the SPLA though since it did not cover the whole country. The IGAD-sponsored peace talks between the SPLA and the government were held in Nairobi on 6-8 August. In October the humanitarian ceasefire was extended by both parties for another 3 months. The IGAD peace process only included the government and the SPLA, hence the NDA as an alliance was excluded from all negotiations.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
1999 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: In January the government and the SPLM/A both agreed to extend a humanitarian ceasefire in Bahr el-Ghazal for another 3 months. The SPLM/A also said that the ceasefire would be unilaterally extended to cover Central Upper Nile relief assistance. The humanitarian ceasefire was continuously extended by both parties for 3 month-periods throughout the whole year. Former vice president Alier proposed a peace plan including a confederal solution that was rejected by the government. Peace talks sponsored by IGAD were re-opened in Nairobi on 20 July. The parties agreed on procedural issues for further talks, but they failed to make any progress on substantial issues like self-determination for the south, defining a border, religion and state and a comprehensive ceasefire. The IGAD peace process only included the government and the SPLM/A, hence the NDA as an alliance was excluded from all negotiations. Another peace initiative with a five-point peace plan was launched by Libya and Egypt, that included the whole NDA in the process. No negotiations took place within this initiative though. During this year there were some internal conflicts within the NDA. After having had secret negotiations, the NIF (National Islamic Front, government party) and the Umma Party (member of the NDA) signed an agreement called "The Call of the Homeland" which subsequently meant the withdrawal of the Umma from the NDA.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
2000 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The difference between the high and best estimate is due to differences in the reports of how many that died in the clashes between the SPLM/A and the Government in May and June."
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: IGAD-sponsored peace talks were held in Nairobi in January between the SPLA and the government. After the negotiations the parties issued a joint communiqué wherein they reiterated their commitment to a peaceful solution and said they agreed on self-determination for the people of southern Sudan. The humanitarian ceasefire in Bahr el-Ghazal from 1998 was first extended by both parties, but then broken in June when SPLA captured a garrison town, according to the SPLA following government attacks. Peace talks held with IGAD took place again on 21-30 September. The mediators proposed a two-tier arrangement where all institutions on a national level were to be neutral on religion. It was accepted by the SPLA but rejected by the government. The IGAD peace process only included the government and the SPLA; hence the NDA as an alliance was excluded from all negotiations.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
2001 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: The Libyan-Egyptian peace initiative launched in 1999 faced great obstacles due to Egypts opposition to self-determination for the south, which was one of the cornerstones of the IGAD peace process (where only the SPLA and the government were included, and not the NDA). There was also another peace initiative by Eritrea that made possible the first meeting between president Bashir and NDA leader al-Mirghani, probably by the end of 2000 or the very beginning of 2001. However, it did not lead to any concrete results or a follow up. In May the government called for a comprehensive ceasefire, but the SPLA rejected the call and instead proposed a conditional ceasefire saying that the SPLA would ceasefire if the government stopped producing oil. The government in turn rejected this. The IGAD organised a peace summit in Nairobi on 2 June, where both the SPLA leader and NDA commander-in-chief John Garang and president Bashir were present. There they decided to form permanent committees to pursue dialogue. Further IGAD-talks scheduled for 5 September were cancelled when the SPLA-delegation did not arrive, and negotiations then set for 24 September were postponed. The government said it would pull out of the IGAD-talks if no progress were made. In November the government and the SPLA agreed on a four-week long period of tranquillity to allow food deliveries, and a month later the parties agreed on an internationally monitored cease-fire to cover the Nuba Mountains, southern Darfur and south-central Sudan. On 6-13 December representatives from the government and the SPLA met with a US technical team.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
2002 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The difference between the best and high is due to an incident that SPLM/A said involved the government but the government denies it.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: The government and SPLM/A met for a week of talks in January in Switzerland where they agreed to a ceasefire in the Nuba Mountains, one of the conflict areas. In June the parties met for peace talks in Machakos, Kenya, sponsored by IGAD. They first agreed to extend the ceasefire in Nuba Mountains for another six-month period. On 20 July SPLM/A and the government signed a framework agreement, the Machakos Protocol, which included the general procedures for a transitional process and an agreement that further negotiations would be held to specify the terms of this framework. They also reached a specific agreement that was annexed to the framework with the purpose of subsequently being incorporated in the final agreement. The specifications included a six-year transition period, followed by an internationally supervised referendum for southern Sudan where one option was to be secession. During the transition period a broad-based government would rule in Khartoum and the southern states would be given some degree of autonomy. It further stated that Sharia law would be applied only in the north. There were however issues concerning sharing of power and wealth, human rights and a ceasefire that were still to be clarified. Negotiations began again on 12 August in Machakos, but collapsed on 2 September after the rebels seized the strategically important town of Torit. Before the next round of negotiations opened the parties signed an initial ceasefire on 15 October. On 18 November when the negotiations closed for the year a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed but no comprehensive agreement had been reached. The talks were adjourned until 6 January 2003 due to Ramadan, Christmas and the Kenyan elections. The parties were however invited to Washington for informal talks on 19-20 December. The IGAD peace process only included the government and the SPLA, hence the NDA as an alliance was excluded from all negotiations, even though they wished to participate.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
2003 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: There is only one clash reported in the beginning of January. After that the parties seem to have accepted the ceasefire.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: The government and SPLM/A held negotiations throughout the whole year and made great progress, but without reaching a final peace agreement. In January there were allegations from both the government and SPLM/A of breaking the ceasefire after some clashes.
The first round of negotiations started on 23 January in Kenya and focused on power and wealth sharing. On 4 February they agreed to cede control of areas captured since the signing of the ceasefire agreement in October, and to allow international observers to verify accusations of ceasefire violations. They also agreed on a framework of a government of national unity where SPLM will be the major partner in the national government. Talks continued on 4 March, when the three disputed areas were discussed with limited progress. However, a progress was made on 2 April when President el-Bashir and SPLA leader John Garang met and shook hands.
A new round of talks, dealing with security issues, started on 7 April, but was stalemated on how to unify the national army. On 7-25 May the parties met again, where the main issue was security arrangements. The ceasefire, due to expire on 30 June, was extended by both parties. During the next round, starting on 6 July, the mediators presented a proposal that the SPLM/A was very pleased with, but the government rejected it as unbalanced and far from previous agreements. The following talks, 11-24 August, did not lead to any substantial results either.
The peace process took a positive turn when Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha and John Garang entered into negotiations on 4 September, also in Kenya under the auspices of IGAD. They discussed power sharing and security issues, which resulted in the signing of a security agreement on 25 September; SPLA will retain its own troops but withdraw from eastern Sudan, the government will in turn reduce forces in the south and the two parties will merge forces in the three disputed areas. The ceasefire was also extended by two months. On 7 October the delegations met again for further talks, and after nine days Taha and Garang also arrived to continue negotiations, which lasted until 26 October. The talks, held at Lake Naivasha in Kenya, were reopened on 30 November, and on 7 December Taha and Garang arrived to take part. On 5 December an SPLM/A delegation also arrived in Khartoum for an official visit. The talks in Naivasha were successful and the parties agreed in principle on a 50-50 sharing of oil wealth in the south during the interim period. By the end of the year, the negotiations were still ongoing.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
2004 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: Despite a ceasefire, there were some clashes. However, the parties ended the year by signing a permanent ceasefire on 31 December.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiations: The parties held negotiations throughout the year, which finally led up to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed on 9 January 2005. These talks were part of the IGAD peace process held in Kenya, and based on the process agreed on in the Machakos Protocol singed in 2002. The continuous negotiations resulted in the signing of several protocols and agreements that were to make up the foundation of the final comprehensive peace agreement. On 7 January 2004 the Agreement on Wealth Sharing During the Pre-Interim and Interim Period was signed in Naivasha, Kenya, in which the parties agreed on the 50-50 split of oil revenues in southern Sudan. The next round of talks resulted in the signing of three agreements on 26 May, also in Naivasha. These were: the Protocol Between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement on Power Sharing, the Protocol Between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement on the Resolution of Conflict in Southern Kordofan/Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile States, and the Protocol Between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement on the Resolution of Conflict in Abyei Area. Among the most important points in the power sharing is that the SPLM Chairman (i.e. John Garang) shall be the first Vice President. Further it posits that until elections, the current government of Sudan (i.e. the National Congress Party, NCP) will hold the majority of the seats in both the national government and the national assembly (52 %), other Northern political forces get 14%, SPLM will be given 28% and the remaining 6 % are reserved for other Southern political forces. In the two other protocols, they managed to agree on the administration in the three border areas between the north and the south, and in short the government will hold just over half of the positions.
On 5 June, the two parties declared their commitment to the six so-far signed agreements, plus the ceasefire and the verification and monitoring mechanism, by signing the Nairobi Declaration on the Final Phase of Peace in the Sudan. This finalised the political negotiations. Left to deal with were the more technical issues of a comprehensive ceasefire, security arrangements and the implementation of the peace agreement. For two months after that no negotiations took place, the government claiming to be too busy with the situation in Darfur. On 7 October, Garang and Taha met again to continue the talks. On 19 November, the government and SPLA signed a Memorandum of Understanding, committing to signing a comprehensive peace agreement no later than 31 December 2004. Talks resumed again on 7 December between Garang and Taha, and these were said to continue until Christmas Eve. The parties marked the end of the conflict on 31 December by the signing of a permanent ceasefire, and on 9 January the comprehensive peace agreement was finally singed. The most important part of the agreement were following: a 6 year interim period followed by a referendum in the South regarding secession from Sudan; the North and South are to maintain separate armed forces; the oil revenues in Southern Sudan are split equal between the government and the South; the two regions are to have separate currencies; John Garang is to be First Vice President and SPLM are given seats in the government; Sharia law is only to be applied in the North, and only to Muslims.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: Ceasefire
Date of termination: 2004-12-31
Comment on Termination: On 31 December 2004 a permanent ceasefire was signed, putting to an end 22 years of conflict in southern Sudan. A comprehensive peace agreement was signed on 9 January 2005.
2005 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2006 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiations: No negotiations coded for 2006.
Victory: NO
Comment on Victory: No victory for the searched year.
Terminated: NO
2007 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2008 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2011 Dyad Archive
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
