NAIROBI DECLARATION ON UNITY BETWEEN THE SPLM/A AND EDF
The First (1st) Deputy Chairman and Chief of General Staff of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLM/SPLA; Cdr Salva Kiir Mayardit.
AND The Leader of the Equatoria Defence Force (EDF), Dr. Theophilous Ochang
Lotti
RECALLING the Declaration made by the Chairman and C-in-C of the SPLM/A, that the year 2002 A.D should herald the beginning of reconciliation, forgiveness and unity for the people of the Sudan in general and South Sudan in particular;
RECOGNIZING the agreement on Security Arrangements between the GOS and SPLM/A of September the 25th 2003, particularly the relevant paragraphs 3(, 7 (a) and 7( regarding the status of Southern Armed Groups;
CONVINCED that the unity of our people is not only a necessary but also anessential condition for the liberation process;
FULLY AWARE that a united Southern Sudan will accelerate the resolution of the on going conflict in the Sudan, through a just, genuine and lasting peace in the country;
HEREBY agree on the following:
1. Immediate merger of the two Movements under the historical name of the SPLM/A.
2. Affirmation of the Right to Self-determination for the people of Southern Sudan including Abyei, Nuba Mountains, Funj Region and other marginalized areas of the Sudan.
3. Use the impending Peace Agreement as a vehicle of democratization and transformation of the country.
4. Agree that decentralization of any system up to the grassroots level is prerequisite for good governance, transparency and accountability.
5. The need for a fair and equitable distribution of power and wealth throughout the country and in the South in particular.
6. The determination of ridding Southern Sudan and other parts of the Sudan of foreign-armed groups in order to create conducive security conditions for the IDPs and Refugees to return to their homeland.
7. On the important role that the SPLM/A plays in the NDA and other political forces in the country.
8. Recognize and support the important role being played by the civil society for the betterment of our people.
9. The promulgation of democratic constitution in Southern Sudan that guarantees basic Human Rights and civil liberties of the people of Southern Sudan, similarly for the other parts of the Sudan.
10. To harmonize the political, military, and administrative structures of our unified Movement.
Modalities of implementation
The two parties (SPLM/A and the EDF) further agree on the following modalities to effect the declaration:
1. Immediate merger of the forces of the EDF into the SPLA.
2. Immediate secession of the hostilities between EDF and the SPLA.
3. Formation of Technical Committees to work out detailed recommendations on the following issues:
(a) integration of military forces.
(b) integration of political and administrative structures.
(c) organization of conferences for reconciliation and unity among the peoplein the whole of Equatoria Region, Southern Sudan and the rest of New Sudan in the context of South-South dialogue
(d) reorganizing and streamlining humanitarian institutions of the two Movements.
4. The Technical Committees shall present the recommendations to the Leadership of the two Movements for approval within one month from the date of their formation.
Finally, the two Leaders call upon the International communities, the NGO fraternity (both International and Indigenous), friends and people of goodwill to support our endeavor to realize peace, unity and stability in the New Sudan.
Done March 5th 2004
Sign By:
1. Cdr. Salva Kiir Mayardit, Deputy Chairman and COGS SPLM/A
2) Dr.Theophilous Ochang Lotti, Chairman and C-in-C of EDF