Detailed Timeline – 2015
2015
The 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS) called for a ceasefire to begin 72 hours after signing the agreement. Within the deadline, both leaders from the government and opposition declared a ceasefire. However, sporadic fighting resumed throughout 2015.
The ARCSS was scheduled to be ratified by the National Legislature of South Sudan within 7 days after signing the agreement. The parliament of South Sudan unanimously ratified the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan on September 10, 2015.[1]
The ARCSS further called for all state and non-state security forces to be withdrawn from South Sudan within 45 days of signing. By September 24, the South Sudan army announced that the withdrawal of state troops from Juba had begun.[2] The withdrawal of Ugandan forces did not begin until late October.[3]
Within 30 days of signing, conflicting parties were to separate, assemble, and canton their forces. Aside from aforementioned withdrawals from Juba, no developments were observed in accordance with this timeline.
Demobilization, disarmament, reintegration and repatriation of non-state security actors was supposed to begin 90 days after signing the agreement, but no significant progress towards these objectives was made in 2015.
Parties were scheduled to conduct the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements (PCTSA) workshop two weeks after the signing of the agreement. The workshop was delayed by a week, but took place September 13-18 and then resumed October 21-November 3.[4]
The ARCSS called for the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) to be created within 3 months of signing the agreement. The CTSAMM was created upon signing the agreement, charged with monitoring and verifying the ceasefire and withdrawal of troops in accordance with the August 2015 agreement. The CTSAMM issued reports throughout 2015 on the status of the ceasefire and security arrangements.
The ARCSS called for the creation of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) within 90 days of signing the agreement. The SDSR was not created in 2015.
The parties were required to declare personnel and equipment of forces not in cantonment to the SDSR by 90 days after signing. This development was not observed in 2015.
The Joint National Architecture was scheduled to be established 30 days after signing the agreement. Although the parties reached consensus about the formation of a Joint National Architecture, it was not established in 2015.[5]
The ARCSS called for the immediate release of all prisoners of war and child soldiers. No such releases were observed in 2015.
The ARCSS dictated that a Constitutional Amendment Bill should be drafted within 21 days of signing the agreement to incorporate the ARCSS into the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (TCRSS). It further required drafting amendments necessary to security arrangements stipulated in the agreement within 45 days of signing. This deadline was not met, and no bills relating to the incorporation or accommodation of the agreement and its provisions were drafted in 2015.
The formation of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) was scheduled to begin within the pre-Transition period, or within 90 days of signing the agreement. By the end of 2015, no progress toward the establishment of the TNLA had been made.
The ARCSS further called for the establishment of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) within 90 days of signing the agreement. This deadline was also not met, and the TGoNU was not formed in 2015.
The ARCSS stipulated the establishment of the development of a 3-5 year Strategic Economic Development Roadmap within 9 months of signing the agreement. This was not established in 2015.
The 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan called for the creation of a Compensation and Reparation Authority and Compensation Reparation Fund to compensate citizens who were affected by the conflict between the SPLM/A and SPLM/A-IO within 6 months of signing the agreement. No progress towards the development of either body was observed in 2015.
The ARCSS stipulated that the TGoNU initiate legislation for the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing upon inception. The TGoNU was not established in 2015.
Unification of armies was scheduled to occur within 18 months of signing the agreement. No strides towards unification occurred in 2015.
The ARCSS delineated a timeline for implementation of reforms to natural resource management. The TGoNU was scheduled to implement the Petroleum Revenue Management Act within 3 months of the transition period, close unauthorized petroleum revenue accounts within 3 months of the transition period, and check and record all loans and contracts related to petroleum within 6 months. The TGoNU was not established in 2015 and no progress was made towards these objectives in 2015.
The ARCSS called for the immediate release of all prisoners of war. In 2015, no prisoner releases were reported.
[1] “Parliament Unanimously Ratifies Peace Deal,” Africa News, September 14, 2015.
[2] “South Sudan Army Reported to Be Leaving Juba,” Africa News, September 29, 2015.
[3] “Ugandan Forces Poised for Withdrawal,” Africa News, October 19, 2015.
[4] “Report of the Secretary-General on South Sudan (covering the period from 20 August to 9 November 2015),” UN Security Council, November 23, 2015.
[5] “Report of the Secretary-General on South Sudan (covering the period from 20 August to 9 November 2015),” UN Security Council, November 23, 2015.