Darfur Peace Agreement - Abuja Agreement (2006)

Abuja Agreement (2006)

The 2006 Darfur Peace Agreement, also known as the Abuja Agreement, was signed on May 5, 2006 by the largest rebel group, the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Mini Menawi, and the Sudanese Government in an effort to achieve peace in Darfur. It addressed the long-standing marginalization of Darfur and intended to chart a path for lasting peace for the innocent victims of the crisis.

The agreement required the Sudanese government of National Unity to complete verifiable disarmament and demobilization of Janjaweed militia by mid-October 2006; it also placed restrictions on the movements of the Popular Defense Forces and required their downsizing. A detailed sequencing and phasing schedule was set up to ensure that the African Union certify that the Janjaweed and other armed militia have been disarmed before rebel forces assemble and prepare for their own disarmament and demobilization. The agreement stipulated that 4,000 former combatants be integrated into the Sudanese Armed Forces, 1,000 be integrated into the police forces, and 3,000 be supported through education and training programs. The former combatants were to be integrated in groups of 100-150 and comprise 33 percent of each integrated battalion.

Democratic processes were laid out for the people of Darfur to choose their leaders and determine their status as a region. Rebel signatories of the agreement were awarded the 4th highest position in the Sudanese Government of National Unity: Senior Assistant to the President and Chairperson of the newly established Transitional Darfur Regional Authority (TDRA). The TDRA was given responsibility for implementation of the peace agreement in Darfur, with the rebel movements having effective control of that body. In July 2010, a popular referendum was to be held to decide whether to establish Darfur as a unitary region with a single government. For the three-year period prior to elections, the agreement granted the rebel movements twelve seats in the National Assembly in Khartoum, 21 seats in each of the Darfur State legislatures, one State Governor and two Deputy State Governors in Darfur, senior positions in State Ministries, and key posts in local governments.

The accord committed the international community to holding a donors’ conference to pledge additional funds for Darfur, and invited the TDRA Chairperson to present to that conference a summary of needs and priorities. The GNU is mandated to contribute $300 million initially and then $200 million/year for the next two years to rebuild the region. A Joint Assessment Mission – modeled on the one done for Southern reconstruction after the Comprehensive (North-South) Peace Agreement – was to be established to determine the specific reconstruction and development needs of Darfur.

Buffer zones were to be established around camps for internally displaced persons and humanitarian assistance corridors. A commission was created to work with the United Nations to help refugees and displaced persons return to their homes. The agreement stated that the Sudanese Government would provide $30 million in compensation to victims of the conflict.