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Cease Fire – 2008

While all security mechanisms designed to implement ceasefire provisions of the CPA were in place, the levels of trust between the Khartoum and the SPLM remained very low. Tension between the SPLA and the SAF increased along the disputed border.¹

In May 2008, the force commander of the UN Mission in Sudan and chairman of the Joint Military Commission to Monitor the Cease-Fire, Lieutenant General Jasper Singh Lidder, confirmed “the complete redeployment of 97.2 percent of the armed forces northward, compared with 11.3 percent of the total of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Army (SPLA) troops stationed north of the border line.”²

On May 14, clashes between the SPLM and the SAF erupted in Abyei town and lasted for two days. The fighting caused around 90 casualties and destroyed a large part of the town.³ After the clashes, it was reported an estimated 25,000 people fled the town.⁴ Both sides reached an agreement, Abyei Roadmap, that called for an immediate ceasefire and the removal of other armed groups from Abyei.⁵ The SPLM was said to be responsible for the attack in Abyei. The SAF accused the SPLM of redeploying 3000 fully armed troops from the east and placing them in the area of Akyec and Majok, around Abyei. The presence of SPLM forces caused the 31st Infantry Brigade to remain in the area.⁶ An immediate meeting of Ceasefire Political Committee was held after clashes. Nevertheless, the security situation remained fragile, which prompted the UN announcement of suspension of repatriation operations to Abyei region.⁷

On a more positive note, the SPLA, in collaboration with the Cease-fire Joint Military Committee, organized a four-day workshop in Juba to discuss the implementation of the security arrangements of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.⁸

Along with clashes in Abyei, the ceasefire provisions of the CPA were violated. The CPA prohibits the replenishment of arms, but the government of Sudan made a decision to buy arms without consulting the SPLA.⁹ At the same time, the government of Sudan confirmed the military build-up in the Southern Kordofan State.¹⁰ This violated the ceasefire provision of the CPA.

1. “UN Envoy Warns that Peace Between Government And Southern Rebels in Sudan Remains Fragile,” Associated Press Worldstream, February 19, 2008.
2. “Sudan: UN Force Chief Says ‘Nearly’ All Government Forces Redeployed,” BBC Monitoring Middle East, March 25, 2008.
3. Johan Brosché, Sharing Power — Enabling Peace, 29.
4. “Sudan; Faultline Town Deserted After Clashes,” Africa News, May 16, 2008.
5. “Sudan; Agreement Reached, Ending Clashes in Disputed Town,” Africa News, May 16, 2008.
6. “Sudan: Armed Forces Issue Statement on Abyei,” BBC Monitoring Middle East, May 20, 2008.
7. “Sudan: UN Suspends Repatriation Process in Abyei Due To Insecurity,” BBC Monitoring Middle East, May 27, 2008.
8. “Sudan’s SPLA Holds Workshop on Implementation of Security Arrangements,” BBC Monitoring Middle East, October 8, 2008.
9. “Sudan Army Defends Decision to Buy Arms Without Consulting the Ex-Rebel Movement,” BBC Monitoring Middle East, November 16, 2008.
10. “Government Defends Deployment Of More Troops in Central Sudan State,” BBC Monitoring Middle East, December 7, 2008.