The peace agreement that South Sudanese government negotiators signed with the South Sudan Democratic Movement/Army (SSDM/A-Cobra faction) of David Yau Yau on 9 May will go to President Salva Kiir for signing and then to the Council of States for ratification.

Clement Janda, head of the government delegation that negotiated the deal made in Addis Ababa, has presented the final draft agreement to the president for enactment.

“We met the president today for us to present to him a copy of the agreement,” said Janda at a press conference yesterday. “This agreement is the political settlement of the problem for the people of Greater Pibor.”

One of the provisions in the agreement states that it will come into effect once it is ratified by the Council of States, the upper chamber of the South Sudanese parliament.

Under article 59 of South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution, the Council of States is the body competent to legislate on “decentralized system of government and other issues of interest to the states,” as well as approve changes in state names, capitals and boundaries.

In the case of this agreement, the Council is likely involved because of the structural and legal implications for Jonglei State, which is losing some of its direct authority over the Pibor area.

According to Janda, President Kiir will later issue a decree for the special status of Greater Pibor administrative area and appoint the chief of the administration of Greater Pibor, in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

Establishment of the Greater Pibor area with a special legal status was a partial concession to the demand of the rebel group for the establishment of a separate state for the Murle, Anyuak, Kachipi and Jie ethnic groups living in eastern Jonglei.

Janda also disclosed that he expects the arrival of Gen. David Yau Yau to Juba within days in order to support in the implementation of the agreement.

David Yau Yau signed a ceasefire agreement with the government in January this year, mediated by religious leaders led by Bishop Emeritus Paride Taban of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Torit. His group then entered into political negotiations for resolution of the conflict.

Yau Yau waged an insurgency in Pibor County of Jonglei from mid-2012 through 2013. A former theology student and local government official, he recruited his troops from the Murle tribe to which he belongs. 

Photo: Clement Janda and his negotiating team after meeting President Salva Kiir (Radio Tamazuj)

Related coverage:

Draft deal with Cobra Faction to establish Jonglei sub-region (29 March)

Jonglei ‘Cobra Faction’ says honoring truce (21 Feb.)

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