South Sudan's SPLM warring factions ink CCM-brokered framework agreement to address conflict causes

Factions of the ruling party in South Sudan, the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM), on Monday 20th October, 2014 signed a framework agreement aimed at addressing root causes of the conflict that erupted in mid-December and plunged the country into violent crisis. 

The signing ceremony, held at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in the outskirts of Arusha, was witnessed by the two principal rival leaders - President Salva Kiir Mayardiit, Chairman of SPLM in government and Mr. Riek Machar Teny, former vice president and leader of the SPLM-in-Opposition, as well as the SPLM faction of former detainee, who also participated in the talks. 

The Chairman of the Tanzania's  ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), President Jakaya Kikwete, CCM Secretary General Mr Abdulrahman Kinana, Tanzania Minister for Foreign and Internationa Relations Mr Bernad Membe, and Former Tanzania Vice President and Prime Minister Mr John Samwel Malecela, who chaired the talks, also witnessed the occasion. 

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Delegates of the three rival groups of the South Sudanese ruling party met in Arusha from 12th to 18th of this month to try to come up with the framework of the intra-SPLM dialogue which is being facilitated by CCM. 

The framework agreement highlighted preamble, principles, objectives and agenda that will be discussed in the intra-party dialogue. It also included rules of engagement and role of CCM.
However, it said the process is distinct from the peace talks which take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 

 "The parties recognize that the Arusha process is essentially an intra-SPLM dialogue and is separate and distinct from the IGAD mediated peace talks among South Sudanese stakeholders. 

"Yet the parties are fully aware that the two processes, although separate, are mutually interdependent and reinforcing,” partly reads a communiqué. 

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The document recommits the parties to the principles of democracy, internal democracy especially on matters of decision making, elections, succession and peaceful transfer of power.
It further calls for “unity of SPLM as a safeguard against fragmentation of the country along ethnic and regional fault lines.”

 “Initiate measures to stop the war, lead the government and the people of South Sudan towards peace, stability and prosperity,” it further urges. 

Both leaders expressed their commitment to the intra-party dialogue that would reunite the divided historical party. 

The document was signed by senior officials of the rival factions, namely Daniel Awet Akot, Peter Adwok Nyaba and Pagan Amum Okech, representing SPLM in government, SPLM-in-Opposition and SPLM former detainees, respectively. 

The agreement serves as a roadmap for further negotiations in trying to reunite the ruling party and end the war, with guiding principles and objectives for further discussions and possible resolutions
The governance crisis within the SPLM gave birth to the 15 December violence which has unfortunately plunged the country into the current national crisis or civil war. 

The intra-party dialogue provides a supplement to the peace talks in Addis Ababa to try and address the root causes of this conflict within the ruling party. 

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The framework agreement has also recognized the need to “revitalize, reorganize, strengthen and restore the SPLM to its vision, principles, political direction and core values. 

Analysts say the dialogue, could provide an avenue for progress on key issues, including deep divisions between South Sudanese party leaders, if respected.

CCM Chairman President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete walks to the conference hall with the two principal rival leaders - President Salva Kiir Mayardiit, Chairman of SPLM in government and Mr. Riek Machar Teny, former vice president and leader of the SPLM-in-Opposition, ready for the Monday 20th October, 2014 ready for the signing ceremony of the framework agreement aimed at addressing root causes of the South Sudan conflict that erupted in mid-December and plunged the country into violent crisis.

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