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The agreement establishes terms for integrating the rebels into the security forces, being politically represented and having economic and territorial rights.
South Sudan’s Vice President Riek Machar in Juba, South Sudan, on August 31, 2020 (Reuters)
The power-sharing government of Sudan and several rebel groups must formalize a peace agreement aimed at resolving decades of regional conflicts that left millions displaced and hundreds of thousands dead.
Three large groups signed a preliminary agreement in August, two factions from the western Darfur region and one from the southern region, after months of peace talks sponsored by neighboring South Sudan.
Another powerful rebel group, the Sudan-North People’s Liberation Movement, led by Abdelaziz al Hilu, which had not participated in the initial peace negotiations, agreed last month to hold further talks organized by South Sudan.
Tut Gatluak, South Sudan’s chief mediator, said before Saturday’s ceremony in Juba that the goal is to sign agreements with all armed groups.
“The parties will sign their final agreement … and from there, we will continue to interact with the other resistance groups of General Al Hilu and Al Noor,” he said on Friday.
Leaders from Kenya, Ethiopia, Chad, Egypt, as well as the Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister will also attend the event, he added.
READ MORE: Sudan Signs Peace Agreement With Key Rebel Groups To End Wars
Rebel integration
Sudan has been rocked by latent conflict for decades. After the oil-rich South broke away in 2011, an economic crisis fueled protests that led to the ouster of veteran President Omar Hassan al Bashir in 2019.
Sudan’s new civil and military leaders, who have shared power since then, say ending the conflicts is a priority to help bring democracy and peace to a country in crisis.
The agreement establishes terms for integrating the rebels into the security forces, being politically represented and having economic and territorial rights. A new fund will pay $ 750 million a year for 10 years to impoverished southern and western regions and the possibility of return of displaced people is also guaranteed.
Analysts have welcomed the agreement but have questioned its inclusiveness and comprehensiveness due to the important role of armed groups and the military.
Jack Mohamoud Jack, the spokesman for the al Hilu faction, said his group will not participate in the ceremony, but is ready to start separate negotiations with the Sudanese government.
READ MORE:
Sudan and a major rebel group agree to restart peace talks
Source: Reuters
