Upper Nile Cross-Border Migration Conference : 24-25 February 2012

OUTCOME

A Cross-Border Migration Conference was held at Malakal in State on 24-25 February 2012 attended by Chiefs from Fashoda, Maban, Melut, Manyo and Panyakang counties, Sheikhs from pastoralist communities currently in Upper Nile State for the seasonal migration, government officials from Fashoda, Maban, Malakal, Melut, Manyo, Panyakang and Renk Counties and representatives of civil society organisations from the counties.

The Conference was opened and closed by the Deputy Governor of Upper Nile State. In his opening address the Deputy Governor stated that pastoralists from Sudan are welcomed in Upper Nile State to graze their flocks, provided they meet the authorities of Upper Nile State in advance and comply with conditions agreed with the authorities. On that basis pastoralists will be permitted to move and graze their herds and flocks without hindrance and they and their possessions will be protected by the Upper Nile State authorities.

Following information sharing, group discussions and drafting of an agreement by a committee representing all groups involved, the Conference unanimously consented to the terms of an agreement signed by the Chiefs and the Sheikhs and representatives from the pastoralists in the terms set out in the appendix to this document.

The Conference also unanimously requested the government authorities in Upper Nile State, and in particular the counties mentioned above, to consider taking the following actions:

 Creating and specifying grouping stations as points of entry by pastoralists into Upper Nile State  Establishing places where Sudanese pounds can officially be exchanged into South Sudanese pounds  Publicising the amount of tax fees that can lawfully be collected from pastoralists who enter Upper Nile State and ensuring that only that amount is collected  Establishing cattle markets in each county in Upper Nile State where pastoralists graze their herds and flocks  Making available for purchase drugs to treat or prevent diseases in herds and flocks  Organising meetings between pastoralists and local communities during the seasonal migration  Monitoring the implementation of the Agreement made at the Conference

The Conference also unanimously urged the Governments of and Sudan to take the following actions:

 To demarcate the border between Upper Nile State and Sudan  To create and enforce an effective Safe Demilitarised Border Zone (SDBZ)  To strengthen the police force along the SDBZ  To agree corridors through the SDBZ for the movement of pastoralists and their herds and flocks as envisaged in agreements made between the Governments in Addis Ababa  To take all steps necessary to fully open the border between Sudan and Upper Nile State for trade and to keep the border open for trade

This conference was organized with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Concordis International and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. AGREEMENT

Final Agreed Document of the Seasonal Migration Conference held in Malakal on 24 to 25 February 2012

(1) Joining hands in prayer and pleading and putting our future to the Will of God

(2) A conference of Officials, Chiefs and Civil Society Organizations of the border counties of Upper Nile State with Pastoralist Groups who migrate into Upper Nile State having taken place in Malakal on 24 and 25 February 2012

(3) With thanks to the Deputy-Governor of Upper Nile State for opening and closing the conference, to the Commissioner of for hosting the conference, to the European Union for funding the conference, to Concordis International for arranging the conference and to the University of Juba and the Organization for Non-Violence and Development for assisting with facilitation of the conference

It is agreed by the Officials, Chiefs, Pastoralists and Civil Society representatives present as follows:

Article 1: The pastoralists should meet the commissioners and local traditional chiefs who will provide some conditions to be met by the pastoralists prior to crossing the border of Upper Nile with the north

Article 2: Pastoralists to surrender their weapons and thurayas since their security is in the hands of the Government

Article 3: The Government should provide the nomads/pastoralists with documents stating the duration they should stay

Article 4: The security of the nomads to be under the responsibility of the Government while in Upper Nile State

Article 5: The nomads should not reside in the military areas/barracks

Article 6: The Government should demarcate the border. The commissioners and the local authority should be involved in the committee for border demarcation

Article 7: Nomads to cooperate within themselves and the host community and respect the local norms and laws

Article 8: The Governments of both sides should establish standard central exchange rates to facilitate trade

Article 9: As part of the Upper Nile State Conflict Mitigation Stabilization Plan, the Upper Nile State authorities, the NGOs and Civil Society will follow up the implementation since most previous agreements have not borne fruit

Article 10: Regular conduct of training by civil society should take place for the community and the pastoralists on peace building and also to pastoralists on animal husbandry (vaccination and quarantine).

Signed:

Osman Mohamed Ahamed Tribe Felata

Meki Osman Tribe Selem

Saeda Ahmed Tribe Wethamed

Isaac Noge

Geigar Ador Paramount Chief

Daniel Ditang Paramount chief Panyikang County

Dak Alinyjok Paramount chief

Majok Deng

Akol Ali