SUDAN / JUBA CEASEFIRE

The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) signs a ceasefire framework agreement with LT. General George Athor's forces in Juba days before the historic southern Sudan referendum. The General was the former deputy Chief of Staff of the SPLA. UNMIS

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:51
• Production Date: 6 January 2011
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS ASSISTANCE MISSION IN SUDAN - UNMIS
• Subject Topical: POLITICAL AFFAIRS; LAW; INTERNATIONAL LAW; POLITICAL CONDITIONS; POLITICAL CONDITIONS; POLITICAL MOVEMENTS; PEACE AND SECURITY; REFERENDUM
• Geographic Subject: SUDAN
• MAMS Id: U110106b

Description

STORY: SUDAN / JUBA CEASEFIRE
TRT: 1:51
SOURCE: UNMIS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 5 JANUARY 2010, JUBA, SUDAN

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, conference hall
2. Med shot, SPLA delegation
3. Med shot, Lt. George Athor’s delegation
4. Med shot, Riek Machar, Southern Sudan vice president
5. Med shot, signing of ceasefire agreement
7. Med shot, SPLA representative signing
8. Wide shot, signing of ceasefire documents
9. Wide shot, UNMIS delegation
10. Wide shot, SPLA and George Athor representatives exchanging agreements
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Riek Machar, Vice President, Southern Sudan:
“There has been people who see us as a failed state in the making, one of the things they quote are incidences that happened during the elections. But at this event we have overcome.”
12. Med shot, observers at the signing
13. SOUNDBITE (English) David Gressly, Regional Coordinator, United Nations Mission in Sudan:
“On our side we will continue to support, as we heard the request for our support, we will continue to be with you to support you and to help see this through. But ultimately it is not us it’s all of you who have achieved this today. Tonight is one more step towards that reconciliation, towards that unity, towards the peace and stability that everyone has struggled for.”
14. Med shot, people celebrating
15. Wide shot, celebrations

Storyline

A ceasefire framework agreement has been signed between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and renegade LT. General George Athor’s forces in Juba, days before the historic Southern Sudan Referendum.

The general and former deputy Chief of Staff of the SPLA fell out with the southern government, when he defected to run for governor as an independent candidate in last years gubernatorial elections his native Jonglei state. He lost the governorship and revolted, accusing the government of fraud during the elections.

Fighters loyal to Athor and the SPLA have clashed over the past months, killing scores and displacing hundreds.

The ceasefire framework contains general provisions like cessation of hostilities, release of prisoners by both parties, facilitating provision of humanitarian assistance and promotion of peace.

The signing of the agreement was witnessed by the vice-president of the southern Sudan government, Riek Machar, who commended the mediators for their efforts in bringing the parties to dialogue; and the negotiating teams of the two parties for their commitment to come to such an agreement which he said was not easy.

SOUNDBITE (English) Riek Machar, Vice President, Southern Sudan:
“There have been people who see us as a failed state in the making, one of the things they quote are incidences that happened during the elections. But at this event we have overcome.”

The ceasefire agreement shall inter into action from the day it is signed. A joint coordinating committee with equal number of members from each side will be set to monitor the ceasefire mechanism and its implementation.

Machar expressed his concern over the humanitarian situation of people in the conflict areas and called on aid agencies to provide speedy humanitarian assistance now that the ceasefire is signed.

The parties and mediators appreciated the role the United Nations (UN) has played towards the success of the mediation through providing logistical and transport support.

UN Regional Coordinator David Gressly described the ceasefire agreement as one more reflection of the reconciliation process among Southern Sudanese since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005.

SOUNDBITE (English) David Gressly, Regional Coordinator, United Nations Mission in Sudan:
“On our side we will continue to support, as we heard the request for our support, we will continue to be with you to support you and to help see this through. But ultimately it is not us it’s all of you who have achieved this today. Tonight is one more step towards that reconciliation, towards that unity, towards the peace and stability that everyone has struggled for.”

Southern Sudan President, Salva Kiir had pardoned Lt. General George Athor and other renegade leaders fighting against his government in late 2010, hoping to end the escalation of violence in the region.

Southern Sudan will go to the polls on the 9 January in a referendum to decide on whether they want to remain part of the north Sudan, or separate to form their own country.