Key Sudanese players fail to attend conference on implementation of Juba Peace Agreement
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - A conference on why the Juba Peace agreement signed between Sudanese has failed to find solutions among stakeholders and their supporters alike kicked off in Khartoum on Tuesday.
The conference is organised by the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations, but ironically it failed to attract two main rebel movements, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), and the Sudan liberation Army (SLA), that signed the deal in Juba, South Sudan, in 2021.
Two years have elapsed now since signing of the deal in Juba, South Sudan. However, it has failed to be fully implemented, particularly with regard to the reintegration of the forces of the signatory former rebel movements within the regular army and the development clauses and other dividends attached to the accord, because of the lack of funding and resources.
Fund providers have halted any assistance following a military coup they consider has frustrated the process towards establishing a civilian led government in Khartoum.
The UN, the United States and other western countries that sponsored the 2020 peace deal, known as the Juba Peace Agreement, are adamant the reasons behind the failure to fully implement the agreement was a coup d’état led by the army in October 2021.
They brought different Sudanese political parties together to reach a Political Framework Agreement.
Huge international pressure, coupled with persistent protests in Khartoum and other major towns, has led to the parties seeking ways to return to civilian government, through reexamination of all aspects that spurred the army into staging the coup.
A statement by three main sponsors, known as the Troika, namely Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States, came out with a statement strongly supporting the conference which the main stakeholders stayed away from attending.
“We continue to urge all Sudanese political and civil society actors to engage constructively in the process of reaching an agreement that allows the country to exit from the current political crisis.”
As witnesses to the Juba Peace Agreement, the Troika welcomed Tuesday’s launch of the conference on implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement.
The event brings together women, youth, and representatives from all over Sudan to participate in a discussion about an issue important for their country’s future.
“We understand that these dialogues welcome Juba Peace Agreement signatories and non-signatories alike, and that while some important stakeholders in this process elected not to participate in today’s (Tuesday's) events, the door remains open for participation in the process," the Troika release said in reference to JEM and SLA. They argued that the Juba Peace Agreement represented a significant achievement that should be preserved.
The lack of progress in implementing it quickly and effectively is a serious problem that must be remedied.
It is especially important for communities outside of Khartoum affected by decades of conflict. For Sudan to achieve the stable and prosperous future its people deserve, the root causes of conflict must be addressed, and all its people must be empowered in an equitable way.
The two former rebel movements who openly refused to join argued that the agreement should not be touched nor should its stipulations be touched by politicians and activists who “did not taste the suffering and blood-shedding caused by struggle” before this agreement was reached.
They expressed fears that activists who relied on the rebel movements have not made similar sacrifices and that they were not aware of the serious consequences of war and conflict. The two rebel movements complained of reluctance and lack of resources for implementing the agreement.
Volker Perthes, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sudan, has, however, reassured them in a statement that the aim of the meeting was not to amend, cancel or denounce the Juba Peace Agreement.
“There is confusion and rumours, so we must say that the goal is to focus on exploring and better addressing the drivers of conflict and the conditions that affect people in conflict areas, as well as ways to improve the implementation and revitalisation of the Juba Peace Agreement while safeguarding its gains, including regarding gender and women's rights
But the Troika partners renewed their commitment to supporting the Sudanese people’s desire to advance their country’s democratic transition.
“We continue to collaborate with the Trilateral Mechanism (UNITAMS, AU, IGAD) and other international partners to facilitate progress in that direction under the Framework Political Agreement, which in our view remains the basis on which to establish a new civilian-led government to lead Sudan through a transitional period to free and fair elections.”
Perthes pointed out on behalf of the three organisations that the most important thing is that any peace agreement should target first and foremost the people who have been most affected by the war and conflict.
“This conference provides an opportunity to hear the voices of those who are normally voiceless, especially on issues that directly affect them. These issues include the drivers of conflict, humanitarian and security issues affecting IDPs and refugees, women’s real and meaningful participation, and how to strengthen the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement – this is in order to deliver tangible benefits to those on the ground.”
He expressed his regret that some key signatories to the JPA were not present.
"Their participation in discussions around the JPA and in the political process in general is critical, and the Trilateral Mechanism will continue to extend all its efforts to encourage their participation in the ongoing process.”
He said that the signing of the Juba Peace Agreement in 2020 gave hope for millions of Sudanese affected by war.
However, its implementation has been extremely slow, and the current political crisis has contributed to further undermining it, leading to mistrust and even new outbreaks of violence in some areas.
-0- PANA MO/MA 1Feb2023
