The Machakos Protocol was signed in Kenya

The Machakos Protocol was signed in Kenya, marking a critical milestone in the history of Sudan. The context of this event was the Second Sudanese Civil War, which began in 1983 between the government in the north and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in the south. The conflict had devastating effects, resulting in approximately two million deaths and displacing millions more. The Machakos Protocol was a part of broader peace talks mediated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The main achievement of the protocol was to grant southern Sudan the right to self-determination after a six-year interim period. This agreement provided a significant step towards ending the prolonged conflict, as it addressed the root cause of self-governance that had fueled the civil war. It also included provisions for a ceasefire and the implementation of Islamic law only in the north, which were crucial points of contention. The signing of the Machakos Protocol paved the way for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005. The CPA ultimately led to a referendum in 2011, where the people of southern Sudan overwhelmingly voted for independence, resulting in the creation of South Sudan. The protocol represented a significant achievement in mediation and conflict resolution in Africa. It demonstrated the effectiveness of sustained negotiation efforts and the importance of international support in resolving internal conflicts. #MoofLife #SouthSudan #MachakosProtocol #PeaceProcess #SelfDetermination #SudaneseCivilWar #CPA