QUOTATION
"I can do everything through him
who gives me strength."
Phil 4:13
Advisory Statements in the Context of Machakos Protocol from the Sudan Civil Society Forum on Good Governance and Reconciliation Entebbe, Uganda 7th - 11th October 2002
The New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC), in cooperation with the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC), convened this Civil Society Forum under the auspices of the Sudan Ecumenical Forum (SEF) and hosted by the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC). The aim was to deliberate on priorities and practices for promoting good governance and reconciliation to achieve a just and lasting peace for Sudanese peoples. Over one hundred representatives of various southern and several northern Sudanese civil society organisations, church leaders, other Sudanese organizations and Sudanese diaspora attended this forum. The participants consulted together, many for the first time, on important matters of good governance, reconciliation, the role of civil society and other matters affecting the future of Sudan. Participants viewed this forum as an important step in building the civil society in Sudan and in gaining confidence for promoting people-oriented issues of justice, peace, reconciliation, good governance, representation, human rights, democratic forms of participation, and essential services for the peoples of Sudan.
In light of progress already made in peace negotiations, the forum encourages the parties to pursue urgent conclusion of a peace agreement that will establish a just and lasting peace in Sudan. To this end, the forum expresses support for the peace negotiations being conducted under the auspices of IGAD. The forum welcomes the promises of the parties, mediators and observers that the negotiations will address and resolve the root causes of the conflict. In this spirit, the forum acclaims the Machakos Protocol and is encouraged by hopes for peace raised by the ongoing peace talks under the auspices of IGAD.
Participants
of this forum have committed themselves to serious efforts toward the
aim of a just and lasting peace for Sudan and the peoples of Sudan. The
forum draws attention to the essential importance of consulting with Sudanese
peoples and civil society organisations to seek inputs and advice on the
peace negotiations, especially as they intend to enter into agreements
and commitments that will affect all > peoples of Sudan well into the
future. Consultations and meaningful involvement will strengthen the hopes
of a just and lasting peace and will ensure inclusion of views and wishes
of civilian populations on critical issues such as good governance, reconciliation,
justice and right of self-determination. The understanding and support
of the peoples and civil society of Sudan are relevant for the peace agreement
and for the interim period envisioned by the Machakos Protocol, and they
are undeniable factors for achieving a just and lasting peace.
This document presents advisory statements on various aspects of reconciliation,
good governance and the right of self-determination with the hope that
these will be welcomed as useful contribution to the peace process.
For the interest of a just and lasting peace, this forum calls upon all
parties in Sudan to:
1. Cease hostilities
1.1 Cease hostilities and bring an end to conflicts that continue to inflict
terror, tragedy and immeasurable suffering upon peoples of Sudan, particularly
in southern and other marginalised areas of Sudan.
1.2 Immediately desist from bombardment, attacks, raids, incursions and
all other forms of hostilities and conflicts against civilians in every
location in Sudan.
1.3 Tone down rhetoric about the war and reduce propaganda during the
negotiations as a step in commitment toward a peace agreement and to lower
tensions on both sides.
2. Give Priority
to Reconciliation
2.1 Acknowledge that unity of Sudan requires genuine reconciliation and
unity of the peoples of Sudan.
2.2 Give priority to and strengthen the processes and practices of reconciliation
between different peoples, factions, organizations, communities and diaspora
of Sudan as well as between themselves in the processes leading to the
anticipated peace agreement, during the interim and into the new formation
after the vote on self-determination.
2.3 Design and implement, with international assistance, monitoring processes
and mechanisms for peace and security monitoring so that reconciliation
and peace are given a chance.
2.4 Commit to a comprehensive peace agreement that is acceptable to Sudan?¦s
diverse constituencies and that is formulated and based on inclusion of
civil society and other groups, including women, youth and even conflicting
groups, parties and political forces, in consultations for comprehensive
peace agreements, structures and arrangements.
2.5 Investigate the atrocities by all parties during the war, establish
processes for truth and justice, and create arrangements for compensation
and restitution.
2.6 Encourage and support peacemaking at all levels of Sudanese societies,
including people-to-people peacemaking at grassroots and strategic levels,
south-south reconciliation, north-north reconciliation, and south-north
reconciliation.
2.7 Engage international involvement and support to accelerate and reinforce
reconciliation, justice and peacemaking.
2.8 Collaborate and engage constructively in international liaison, advocacy
and relationships for gaining understanding and support for reconciliation,
restitution and a just and lasting peace.
3. Affirm,
Protect and Guarantee Human Rights and Democratic Freedoms
3.1 Assurance by both parties that human rights, democratic freedoms and
other fundamental liberties that are requisites for democratic and modern
nations as key dimensions of the negotiations and central elements in
the peace agreements.
3.2 Issue statements of assurance that fundamental principles and practices
of democracy, good governance, security, self-determination and self-reliance
are priorities on the agenda for the interim period and for envisioned
future governance and government structures of Sudan.
3.3 Affirm that human rights include, but are not limited to rights to
life, own property, equal and fair access and participation in government,
respect, nationality and citizenship, movement and assembly, choice of
religion, culture, information, fair hearing and equality before the law,
basic health and education services, among others, as defined in Appendix
A.
3.4 Affirm that basic democratic freedoms include freedom of expression
and speech, movement and association, religion and worship, ownership,
voting and access to legal services, as defined in Appendix A.
3.5 Give highest priority to ensuring that these basic human rights and
democratic freedoms are well defined, protected, embedded and guaranteed
in the constitutions, legal systems and judiciary throughout Sudan.
3.6 Affirm the diversity of Sudanese peoples and cultures and make positive
and tangible commitments to respect and protect cultural identities and
traditions as an important element of the human rights and democratic
freedoms of Sudan.
3.7 Affirm and adopt international treaties, conventions and standards
for the rights of children, women and other disadvantaged populations.
3.8 Affirm and constitutionally guarantee the supremacy of the ?§Rule
of Law?¨ and ensure that the constitutional law will be the supreme
law over all citizens..
3.9 To avoid abuses of powers ensure legal checks and balances, separate
religion from state and ensure that no religion is given favour in constitutional,
legal, civil or other matters.
3.10 Find positive, creative ways to distinguish and yet enable different
types of laws, such as customary and traditional laws, civil and criminal
laws, and public and private laws, to be applied so that the human rights
and democratic freedoms are protected and guaranteed.
3.11 Appoint an independent constitutional committee to review the Machakos
Protocol and other documents and for assisting in preparation of the agreements
that will be considered in the peace negotiations and with preparations
for the interim period. The committee to be composed of competent professionals
who are appointed by parties to the Machakos talks and, with consultation,
involve qualified representation of other parties, constituencies, civil
society, churches and other religious institutions. The committee must
have access to and support of information, technical advice, resources
and other assistance from international bodies.
With respect to the Machakos Protocol and the ongoing peace negotiations,
the forum draws attention of the parties to the following considerations.
4. Right of Self-Determination (RSD). Attention of the parties and the
IGAD Partner Forum is drawn to the following considerations.
4.1 The forum supports the intent of the draft Self-Determination Referendum
Protocol (Attachment C), but there are numerous specific issues need careful
definition because of their serious implications, e.g., borders, voter
eligibility, civil education, monitoring, security, etc. It will be necessary
to sharpen the Protocol and to strengthen its use as a framework and mechanism
for shaping, designing and conducting the RSD exercise.
4.2 The RSD exercise be carried out in a way that gives the peoples of
Southern Sudan and other marginalised areas a genuine choice. Giving a
genuine choice requires that the organisers and overseers have the intent
to give a choice that is not biased to one of the two options. There must
be mechanisms and monitoring to ensure genuine choice for the peoples.
4.3 There must be clear definition of the borders as there is room for
confusion. It is recommended that the border encompass all peoples who
culturally and geographically identify with Southern Sudan.
4.4 The issues of voter eligibility require intense attention and careful
definition. The criteria should deal with practical problems like diaspora,
refugees and descendents of refugees, exclusion of temporary residents
or persons with interests and stakes more in north or outside than in
south.
4.5 There must be guarantees of a neutral atmosphere for the interim period
and the RSD exercise, including security, restriction of raiding bands
and other forces, and any form of coercion or improper uses of force and
influences.
4.6 There must be guarantees of fair and free voting from the beginning
of the exercise, including independent organs that will oversee the referendum
process including education, registration, voting, counting and monitoring.
There must be adequate technical and financial resources for this process,
including international support and guarantees.
4.7 The processes for educating and preparing people to make this monumental
decision must begin immediately and have appropriate strategies and adequate
resources to ensure informed, fair and free voting. This should include
considerations of options and implications should the referendum choose
independence instead of unity, such as alternatives and options for governance.
4.8 The commission for the referendum and other relevant bodies during
the pre-interim and interim periods should be properly constituted, mandated
and enabled to reflect the interests and desires of the peoples of Southern
Sudan, not just limited groups and interests.
4.9 The voting procedures must be secure and incorruptible. Appropriate
methods must be used for a majority of Southern Sudanese who are illiterate.
Careful consideration must be given to techniques for security, protection
against tampering, village-level registration and voting, thumbprint direct
on symbol, and other fool-proof methods and procedures.
4.10 The civil society, churches, media and traditional authorities should
be involved in the dissemination of information and the building of understanding
for the RSD exercise.
4.11 International bodies, civil society and churches should be involved
in monitoring the RSD exercise and the voting processes, from designing
the education process through registration and voting to the conclusion
of the process.
5. South-North
Relationship, especially for the Interim Period. Attention of the parties
and the IGAD Partnership Forum is drawn to the following considerations.
5.1 The success of the Interim Period and of the Southern Sudan Government
is highly dependent on the harmonious relationships between the Southern
Entity and the Northern Entity(s), which may be understood to consist
of several areas such as, Western, Northern, Eastern and Central Sudan.
The parties in the IGAD Peace Process, the mediators and the IGAD Partnership
Forum are called upon to foster, monitor and provide guarantees for building
the south-north relationship through the peace process, interim period
and beyond.
5.2 . As Part A, Agreed Principles, states unity of the country is a priority
of the parties. It must be recognised that the past is marked with bad
memories, hatred, political games and gimmicks. Unity cannot be viable
if the relationship between the two is as bad as it is today. Therefore,
during the Interim Period, efforts be made for:- "³ Confidence-building
and creation of normalised peacetime relationships "³ Removal
of elements that remind Southerners of bad things done to them by Northerners
"³ Concerted initiatives and programs for rebuilding and restoring
the South with Northern commitments and assistance "³ Separation
of the armies "³ Reconciliation processes "³ Normalisation
of constitutional government, law and order in the North
5.3 There is need to clarify and remove any confusion that may arise in
the structuring of governance by having a central government (Union Entity)
that would also have government authorities for the states of the Northern
Entity(s). It is recommended that clarity will be achieved and problems
of governance and authorities will be avoided if the northern states are
considered as the Northern Entity(s) and that this will allow use of a
similar model for division of powers as recommended for the Southern Entity.
This will also help avoid conflicts of interests, confusion of mandates
and authorities, and possibilities for misuse of powers of the Union Entity.
It is further recommended that this may open an opportunity to consider
rationalization of the state structures of the Northern Entity(s), e.g.,
fewer states.
5.4 There is need for consultations with civil society and peoples?¦
representatives to be undertaken in both Northern and Southern Entities
to gain understanding, input and acceptance of the governance and government
structures being proposed for Sudan.
5.5 There is need for the parties and the IGAD community to undertake
commitments for monitoring peace and security breaches, especially in
Southern Sudan and also in neighbouring areas. IGAD is urged to consider
ways to encourage and maintain democracy in the region and to establish
structures and forces to help promote democracy and to guard against illegal
government changes in the region.
6. Interim Government for Southern Sudan. Attention of the parties and
the IGAD Partnership Forum is drawn to the following considerations.
6.1 The principle of three constitutions, i.e., one for the Southern Entity,
one for the Northern Entity(s), and one for the Union Entity, be affirmed.
6.2 The constitution of the Southern Entity provide for (i) a legislature,
(ii) an executive, and (iii) an independent judiciary.
6.3 The Southern Entity be organised on the basis of decentralised arrangements
with legislative, executive and judiciary replicated at state or regional
levels.
6.4 A grassroots-based system of Local Government be designed and put
in place as soon as possible.
6.5 Principles and practices of good governance be incorporated into the
constitution of Southern Sudan and in the interim Union Government, including
but not limited to: "³ accountability of government to the governed
peoples "³ separation of powers (checks and balances) "³
transparency in decision making and implementation of political, economic
and administrative programs "³ efficient management and distribution
of resources "³ reporting and consulting with the people and
seeking mandate on regular basis "³ respect of human rights,
democratic freedoms and supremacy of the rule of law "³ inclusivity,
reconciliation, and fair and equitable sharing of power and resources
in Southern Sudan
6.6 The transitional constitutions for Southern Sudan and the Union Government
are among the paramount concerns. There is an urgent need to work out
transitional secular constitution for Southern Sudan and for the Union
Government so there is not a constitutional vacuum during the pre-interim
and the interim period. The six-month pre-interim period should not be
extended. The six-year interim period should not be extended. There should
be full assurance that the NIF Constitution cannot and does not become
the Union Constitution.
6.7 Constitutional commissions for the Union and Southern Entities not
be seen as ?§review?¨ commissions as they are undertaking a new
assignment with new objectives and parameters. They must be independent
bodies. They should have members appointed or elected by people in different
constituencies at regional and local levels. Representation should include
diverse parties and groups, age, gender, war-disabled and other representatives.
6.8 As the SPLM/A has government structures in operation, it is acceptable
that these systems and structures be utilised for the interim period,
provided that they are intentionally upgraded, updated, fully defined
and effectively implemented so as to be democratic, inclusive, adhere
to good governance, and fair, efficient administration. Administrative
structures established for the interim period should be considered transitional
structures and processes, including civil service.
6.9 The SPLM/A in undertaking government roles and structures at the beginning
of the interim period affirm commitment to involvement and consultation
with other groups, parties, civil society, traditional leaders and the
people as a principle and practice of its governance.
6.10 Democratic procedures and election processes be worked out and enacted
in a timely and appropriate manner to strengthen legitimacy and connection
of government with the people. Elections be conducted within a period
not exceeding two years from the end of the pre-interim period. Election
processes be used for selecting members of parliaments and to put local
government structures in place.
6.11 The parties to the peace agreement and those responsible for leading
the RSD exercise guarantee implementation of the peace agreement by having
mechanisms and international involvement to monitor peace, security arrangements,
constitutional progress and advances in restitution and restoration of
Southern Sudan during the Interim Period, and the mechanisms include serious
sanctions in case of violations.
7. Governance Processes and Structures, Power Division and Power-sharing.
Attention of the parties and the IGAD Partnership Forum is drawn to the
following considerations.
7.1 The governance processes and structures for Southern Sudan, i.e.,
the Southern Entity, and for the Union Entity, be based on democratic
principles and practices, such as the premises, principles and practices
outlined for the interim period and structures of the three legislative,
executive and judiciary bodies.
7.2 The Southern Entity and the Union Entity embed democratic practices
in its constitution and legal systems, such as election of leaders, proportional
representation, good governance, human rights and principles and practices
of good public sector management and accountability.
7.3 The constitutions for the Union Entity be consistent with and reinforce
the human rights, basic freedoms and democratic systems, governance and
practices outlined for the Southern Entity.
7.4 The Union Entity has only those powers specifically assigned to it
by the Union Constitution, as agreed by the Southern and Northern Entities.
The range of powers to be defined to include financial powers, foreign
affairs, national defence, currency and other powers specifically assigned
to it as a central authority and other exclusive or concurrent powers
constitutionally assigned.
7.5 The Union Entity have some form of presidential or supreme council
in the executive body, an independent judiciary and a legislative body
consisting of a parliament with upper house and lower house.
7.6 Southern Sudan citizens from the Southern Entity participate in all
union political, constitutional and administrative institutions in numbers
and in depth of positions that take into consideration the demands of
the interim period and are commensurate to the adjusted population of
Southern Sudan. Such election/selection and participation meet criteria
of eligibility, efficiency and responsibility. This participation include,
but is not limited to the illustrative list of Union Entity institutions
shown in Attachment B.
7.7 The Southern Entity and its states have executive, judiciary and legislative
powers, such as those illustrated in Appendix B and structures for oversight
and exercise of those powers as assigned at respective Entity or State
levels.
7.8 Legislation and laws ensure independence of the judiciary and scrutiny
of selection and performance to reinforce competence, consistency and
supremacy of the rule of law in the judiciary,
7.9 The parliamentary structures of the Southern Entity have an Upper
House based on representatives formulated by the size of population and
a Lower House based on states representation. Representation to the Upper
House of the Union Entity be representation of population with adjustment
for Southern representation based on a pre-determined proportion and for
the Lower House based on formulation to equalise state-based representation.
7.10 Southern Entity parliamentary powers be defined including scrutiny
of state governments, legislation and legitimization of state laws, budgeting,
accountability, power of no confidence, civil society laws and other democratic
legislative functions. Electoral processes shall be formulated to protect
regular renewal of mandate by legislators.
7.11 Presidents be elected by direct election for both the Union Entity
and Southern Entity. It is recommended that electoral procedures require
a majority of votes from a majority of states with an established minimum,
e.g., 1/3 from failure states. Presidents would have a maximum term, e.g.,
4 years, and not more than two terms in office. Constitutional terms and
conditions protect against changes allowing for the lengthening of term
in any form or manner whatsoever.
7.12 During the interim period, for the purposes of reflecting a spirit
of power-sharing and to build confidence of and among Sudanese peoples,
it is strongly recommended that the parties adopt the practice of rotating
Union Presidency between the Southern Entity and the Northern Entity(s).
7.13 As the Constitution will prescribe democratic electoral processes,
also prescribe against non-democratic government changes such as coups
or other forms of force. The Constitution will further prescribe that
illegal changes of government are offenses that are not time-bound and
are liable to prosecution at any point in time.
7.14 South Sudan be divided into and administered as three states, Bahr
el Ghazal, Equatoria and Upper Nile, each of which shall exercise exclusive
executive, legislative and judicial powers through a process of devolution
of those economic, political and fiscal powers as assigned to them by
the constitution of the Southern Entity. Powers and authorities be devolved
to local authorities and councils to ensure popular participation in governance
at local, district and state levels.
7.15 State-level revenues for the states of South Entity be drawn from
sources such as those listed in Appendix B.
7.16 The South Sudan government be required to prepare public budgets
for legislative approvals. No project adversely affecting ecology, environment
or peoples be planned, approved or implemented without consulting state
and local authorities. Criteria for wealth sharing on projects be determined
such that local populations are beneficiaries.
8. Security Arrangements and Guarantees
8.1 Guarantees of security is one of the most fundamental dimension for
establishing a climate of stability, unity and normality for the peoples
of southern and other marginalised areas.
8.2 There must be separate and separated armies. Integration of armies
is strictly ruled out. There must be regional and international guarantees
against military interference or intervention in any form between regions.
8.3 The UN, IGAD and the IGAD Partnership Forum to establish security
monitoring and protection mechanisms and forces as ready response to any
breaches of agreements and to demonstrate commitments to democracy and
security in Sudan and the region.
8.4 At the beginning of the Interim Period, arrangements must be made
to relocate the Northern Sudan Army outside Southern Sudan.
8.5 Murahileen leave Southern Sudan territory, be restricted from entry
into the region and be culpable for any and all criminal and hostile acts
and human rights abuses conducted in these regions regardless of their
point of origin.
8.6 A Joint Military Commission be established with clear, confined mandate
and terms of reference defined in the peace agreement, including responsibility
to implement and oversee disengagement of the two armies, with international
supervision.
8.7 A general demobilisation be carried out in the South after the referendum.
The SPLA be diversified so there is a military wing, while other forces
are turned into para-military units such as the police forces, prison
forces and wildlife forces. Police and other security services will fall
within the administrative structures of the states. Provisions will be
made to reinforce professionalism in the security forces. The forces will
draw from and depend largely upon representative local populations within
states. Specialised forces shall be selected proportionally from states.
8.8 All Sudanese forces be given a choice to reconcile with the SPLM/A.
The SPLA will accept all Sudanese who accept their offer for reconciliation
and those who are reconciled and are qualified can be recruited by the
SPLM/A, trained and integrated in services during the interim period.
8.9 All northern elements and commands currently present in the South
be removed and replaced by SPLA units.
8.10 During the interim period, security intelligence services for Southern
Sudan be in the hands of Southern Forces and accountable to the government
of the Southern Entity.
8.11 Urgent arrangements must be made, modeled on that of Nuba Mountains,
to remove land mines. This must be given priority and resources, including
international assistance, because considerable portions of lands and roads
in the South are mined.
9. Restitution, Reconstruction and Wealth Distribution Principles and
Strategies. Attention of the parties and the IGAD Partnership Forum is
drawn to the following considerations.
9.1 The agreements begin with the assumption that restitution is the highest
and most urgent priority; all possible resources must be channeled to
these purposes until parity is achieved. The parties adopt and urgently
implement strategies for power-sharing and wealth distribution that will
contribute to justice for Southern Sudanese and will accelerate compensation,
restitution, relief, rehabilitation, resettlement, reconstruction, repatriation
and other forms of assistance and development required for restoring normal
lives and communities for Sudanese peoples who have been disenfranchised,
displaced, oppressed and disadvantaged in many other ways by the war.
9.2 National wealth be defined as that wealth from which the national
treasury receives regular annual revenues and is deemed to include, though
not limited to, such resources as oil, gold, gum arabic, forestry, national
companies, agricultural schemes, banking sector, customs and taxation,
and other national revenue sources.
9.3 Whereas these are resources from which Southern Sudan has not benefited
and has thus missed valuable, immeasurable and irreplaceable opportunities
for development; and whereas the revenues from these resources have even
been used to destroy, kill, maim, depopulate and devastate peoples and
lands in Southern Sudan and these peoples are in need of compensation
and their lands in need of restoration; and whereas relief, restitution,
compensation, restoration and development of the South are matters of
humanity and justice for Southern Sudan; distribution of wealth and revenues
from these national resources be used in concentrated applications to
accelerate developments in South Sudan to reach parity as quickly as possible.
9.4 The government, with the support of international bodies and bilateral
agreements, undertake immediate initiatives to identify and track public
funds that have privatized and/or piratised and find ways to reclaim and
repatriate these funds.
9.5 Future wealth distribution could assume a different framework, only
after parity of the South has been achieved, which may take decades. At
such time, it could then be reasonable to consider distribution formulas,
based on source of origin of the revenues as well as needs of various
levels of government, such as:- if North if South
to North Entity 70% 20%
to Union Entity 10% 10%
to Southern Entity 20% 60%
to local citizens at source 10%
9.6 A Revenue Allocation Commission be established in the Union Entity
to monitor and to recommend revenue-sharing formulas for the whole country,
which shall have proper proportional Southern representation. The commission
have a mandate to review all sources of state revenue, including parastatals
and firms to ensure allocation of finances to restitution and for wealth
distribution for developmental purposes.
9.7 Major federal development projects, oil and mining be considered national
wealth and shall be managed on national basis provided that the Union
Entity shall observe to allocate an equitable percentage of the return
fixed by the Revenue Allocation Commission to the state where the operations
are located, ensure participation of states representatives in the management,
ensure recruitment and training of state citizens to participate and benefit,
and provide other appropriate fringe benefits.
9.8 As a restitution strategy, resources processing, e.g., oil refineries,
be established in the region of origin and that local capacities be developed
for management and operations of such establishments, businesses and organizations.
9.9 Both the Union Entity and the Southern Entity work to attract loans
and international aid for restoration and development of Southern Sudan
and launch appeals for reconstruction, restitution, rehabilitation, resettlement,
repatriation and other forms of restoration in Southern Sudan and other
marginalised and war-affected areas of Sudan.
10. Repatriation and Resettlement. Attention of the parties and the IGAD
Partnership Forum is drawn to the following considerations.
10.1 The repatriation, resettlement and reintegration of refugees and
internally displaced persons are of highest priority for the reconstruction
and restoration of Southern Sudan. These must be attractive options with
effective procedures and adequate technical support and funding to accelerate
the processes.
10.2 Repatriation of refugees be voluntary, as many have become attached
to their country of asylum given the length of the war and their absence.
UN not give or enforce deadlines for returning refugees until the outcome
of the referendum is know and has been respected in implementation.
10.3 Resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) be a priority
for southerners, including those living in the north if they wish. IDPs
be allowed to return to their homes of origin and repossess these even
if they have been taken away, as may be the case of Western Nuer and Panure,
for example. It is recognized and should be accommodated that most IDPs
have few or no substantial possessions and that those living in the north
will need protection.
11. Civil Society. Attention of the parties and the IGAD Partnership Forum
is drawn to the following considerations.
11.1 The parties encourage, give priority and dedicate resources to strengthening
civil society as an important element in the social and national networks
for the promoting and protecting the rights, identities and development
of the peoples of Sudan and the nation as a whole.
11.2 The parties facilitate proper authorities and support, such as travel
documents for civil society personnel, so they can carry out their roles
and functions for peace and other civic roles and responsibilities effectively
and without hindrances.
11.3 The parties accept the presence of a civil society team of representatives
to be present at the Machakos talks and to be consulted and advise on
the negotiations, draft documents and directions for governance and society
being taken through the agreements.
11.4 The parties allow for civil society involvement and input into the
constitutional committee, mid-term evaluations during the interim period,
national council for peace, government organisations for human rights,
election preparation and education, election monitoring, peace monitoring,
and formulation and protection of human rights.
11.5 All civil society organisations sponsor and support parallel processes
of reconciliation during the peace talks, including people-to-people peace
processes and strategic levels peacemaking, particularly in Southern Sudan.
11.6 All civil society organisations design, promote and implement civic
education programs and schemes relevant to political, economic and social
initiatives emerging from the peace negotiations and agreements.
The civil society seeks to promote interests of safety, esteem, confidence
and development of individuals, families and communities within stable
conducive environments at all levels of society including regional and
national levels. The civil society representatives at the forum place
highest priority on human rights and freedoms, democratic government and
processes, reconciliation, and justice as essential features to give reconciliation
a chance and as the foundation and framework for ensuring a just lasting
peace in Sudan.
As an immediate contribution, the forum prepared these advisory statements
on critical issues related to good governance and reconciliation. These
are forwarded to the parties engaged in the Machakos peace talks for their
consideration. It is hoped that these will be seen as useful contributions
and that these and other ideas and suggestions from civil society will
be welcomed and given serious consideration.
It is further hoped that the parties will actively seek and find ways
to include and incorporate inputs from the civil society and directly
from the peoples of Sudan. The participants of the civil society forum
offer to serve as a resource for the parties as they continue in their
negotiations on the peace agreement, interim arrangements and any other
supporting discussions and decisions that are shaping the future for our
Sudanese peoples.
By motion and vote of the meeting, this paper was unanimously adopted
in full by the participants of the Civil Society Forum on priorities and
practices for good governance and reconciliation to achieve a just and
lasting peace in Sudan. It was agreed that selected leaders of civil society
organizations present at the forum would sign the Advisory Statements
of the forum on behalf of all participants of the forum.
Entebbe, Uganda 11th October, 2002