The delegation of the Government of the Sudan successfully concluded on 20 July 2002 the prescribed peace negotiations with "Sudan People's Liberation Movement Army SPLM/A" which took place in Kenya lasting for five weeks (from 18th June , to 20th July 2002" under the auspices of the IGAD peace process

The two parties have achieved substantial progress by reaching to agreement on the previously outstanding contentions issues. They agreed to proceed with the positive outcome and framework and to resume negotiations on next August 2002.

To that effect Sudan Government and the SPLM/A signed a document titled (MACHAKOS PROTOCOL"- text below - and issued a Joint Communiqué - text below- , declaring their goals , principles and methods to realize their joint commitment to a negotiated peaceful, just comprehensive settlement .

TEXTS:

The Joint Communiqué

issued by the first session of the Political Committee - Task Force.

1. The Government of Sudan (GOS), the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) thereafter referred to as the parties met in Mechakos, Kenya, from 18th June to 20th July, 2002, under the auspices of the IGAD peace process.

The meeting was chaired by Lt. Gen. Lazaro Sumbeiyua, the special envoy of the IGAD peace process in Sudan with assistance of the IGAD sub-committee's envoys, namely H.E Mohamed Omaro of Eritrea, H.E. Murad Musa of Ethiopia, H.E. Francis Butagaria of Uganda, observors from Italy, the United Kingdom, Norway and the United States of America.

2. The parties agreed to conduct discussions in accordance with an agenda based on the framework of the IGAD Declaration of Principles (DOP) and with a view to resolving the long-standing conflict that has afflicted the Sudan.

3. The parties agreed that a peaceful and just resolution based on the unity of the Sudan is their common objective, and that a military solution is neither viable nor desirable. They agreed to discuss the outstanding issues of state and religion, self-determination for the people of south Sudan, power sharing, wealth sharing and human rights.

4. After lengthy discussion, the parties agreed to a single negotiating framework document, which states the principles to which the parties have already agreed, the transitional phase of the peace process and the political structures to be implemented through a constitutional framework.

5. The parties made substantial progress and specifically reached agreement on the two most contentious issues, namely:- the right to self-determination for the people of south Sudan, and the state and religion. The parties also agreed on the preamble, principles and the transition process from the framework mentioned above, all of which will be incorporated into a final comprehensive peace agreement. They also signed a protocol and initialed the specific texts on these issues.

6. The parties agreed to continue negotiations on the other outstanding issues of power sharing, wealth sharing, human rights and cease-fire when negotiations resume in mid August 2002.

Done at Nairobi on Saturday, 20th July, 2002.

TEXT OF MACHAKOS PROTOCOL

"MACHAKOS PROTOCOL"
20TH JULY 2002

Whereas the Government of the Republic of the Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Sudan People's Liberation Army (the parties) having met in Machakos, Kenya, from 18 June 2002 through 20 July 2002 under the auspices of the IGAD Peace Process;and

Whereas the parties reiterated their commitment to a negotiated, peaceful comprehensive resolution to the Sudan conflict within the unity of Sudan; and

Whereas the parties discussed at length and agreed on a broad framework which sets forth the principles of governance, the general procedures to be followed during the transitional process and the structures of government to be created under legal and constitutional arrangements to be established; and

Now record that the parties have agreed to negotiate and elaborate in greater detail the specific terms of this framework, including aspects not covered in this phase of the negotiations, as part of the overall Peace Agreement; and

Further record that within the above context, the parties have reached specific agreement on the right to self-determination for the people of South Sudan, State and Religion, as well as the preamble, principles, and the transition process from the draft framework, the initialed texts of which are annexed hereto, and all of which will be subsequently incorporated into the final agreement; and

It is agreed and confirmed that the parties shall resume negotiations in August, 2002 with the aim of resolving outstanding issues and realizing comprehensive peace in the Sudan.

(Signed) (Signed)

Dr. Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani
For: the Government of Sudan

Cdr.Salva Kiir
For:Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army

WITNESSED BY: (Signed)

Lt. Gen. Lazaro K. Sumbeiywo
Special Envoy
IGAD Sudan Peace Process and on behalf of the IGAD Envoys"



Top