The Comprehensive Peace Agreement: Ending the Second Sudanese Civil War

On January 9, 2005, a significant milestone was reached in the history of Sudan with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the Government of Sudan. This agreement marked the official end of the Second Sudanese Civil War, a devastating conflict that had lasted for over two decades.

Background

The Second Sudanese Civil War began in 1983, rooted in longstanding ethnic, religious, and economic disparities between the predominantly Muslim and Arab north and the largely Christian and animist south. The conflict was a continuation of unresolved issues from the First Sudanese Civil War (1955-1972) and was primarily driven by the southern demand for greater autonomy and equitable distribution of resources, particularly oil.

The war resulted in the deaths of an estimated two million people and displaced millions more, creating one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.

Key Provisions of the CPA

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement was the culmination of extensive negotiations facilitated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), with support from international actors including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway. The CPA comprised several protocols and agreements, including:

1. Power Sharing: The agreement established a framework for power sharing between the north and south, creating a Government of National Unity. It allocated positions in the national government to the SPLM and other southern representatives.

2. Wealth Sharing: The CPA outlined the distribution of oil revenues, a critical issue given that most of Sudan’s oil reserves were located in the south. It stipulated that oil revenues would be split equally between the north and south.

3. Security Arrangements: The agreement called for the integration of forces and the establishment of joint military units, while allowing the SPLM to maintain its own army, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), during an interim period.

4. Self-Determination: A key provision was the promise of a referendum for the people of Southern Sudan to decide on independence after a six-year interim period.

5. Resolution of Conflicts in Other Regions: The CPA also addressed conflicts in other regions, such as the Nuba Mountains and Blue Nile, providing frameworks for local governance and security.

Aftermath and Significance

The signing of the CPA was a pivotal moment in Sudan’s history, bringing an end to one of Africa’s longest and deadliest conflicts. It paved the way for the eventual independence of South Sudan, which was realized on July 9, 2011, following a successful referendum in which the southern population overwhelmingly voted for secession.

However, the peace agreement did not resolve all issues. Tensions remained high, particularly over border demarcations and the status of the oil-rich Abyei region. Additionally, conflicts in Darfur and other areas continued to pose significant challenges to peace and stability in Sudan.

The CPA’s legacy is mixed; while it successfully ended the civil war and led to the creation of a new nation, many of the underlying issues that fueled the conflict remain unresolved, impacting both Sudan and South Sudan to this day.