The Parties discussed the 1997 Peace Agreement and agreed that SPLM–United would be guaranteed full legality of status and participation in the political and constitutional processes in the Sudan during the interim period. The Parties agreed that they would both have the right to freely propagate their respective options in the referendum among the people. The Parties also agreed on the conditions under which the office of the president of the Coordinating Council would fall vacant.

The Parties to the Agreement reaffirmed the principles in the 1996 Political Charter and agreed that for a four-year interim period South Sudan would enjoy special status. The Parties agreed to a general amnesty proclamation for members of SSDF from any criminal or civil culpability relating to acts committed during the period of the war, and the right of the people of South Sudan to exercise the right to self-determination through a proclamation to decide on unity or secession. The Parties agreed that citizenship, not religion, would be the basis of rights and duties and all Sudanese would share equally in all aspects of life and political responsibilities. The Parties agreed that legislation would not adversely affect the religious rights of any citizen, and that Sharia and custom would be the sources of legislation, but that national laws would be of a general nature based on general principles common to all, with states having the ability to make complementary legislation on issues peculiar to them. The Parties agreed that the Constitution would encompass basic rights and liberties.

The Parties to the Declaration acknowledged the fact that the Nuba Mountains’ state problem is one of the Sudan’s historical and longstanding problems that requires a solution through an objective and constructive dialogue. The Parties committed to the following principles for reaching a final solution: recognition of the longstanding problem; confirmed commitment to constructive dialogue and peaceful solution; unity of Sudan; adopting a regional vision; recognising the April 1996 Political Charter as the framework; Sharia and customary law to be equally included in legislation, with the right of the region to legislate complementary laws; citizenship; religious rights; federal system of governance; equitable and just sharing of national resources and power; eradication of socio-economic and cultural injustices, including those related to land; joint eradication of illiteracy and support for development; a humanitarian programme of relief by the government for reconstruction and rehabilitation; acknowledgement of local cultures; dealing with the environmental, natural resources and human rights consequences of the war; and assurance of democratic rights. The Parties agreed to work together in developing a detailed programme for implementation of these principles.

The Parties to the 1996 Political Charter pledged to put an end to the ongoing civil war in the Sudan, and agreed on the following provisions: to resolve the conflict in the Sudan through peaceful and political means; to preserve the unity of Sudan; at the end of the interim period, to enable a referendum by the people of the southern Sudan to determine their political aspirations; to ensure participatory democracy and a federal system; to ensure citizenship as the basis for rights and duties; to enable Sharia and customary law as sources for legislation, but with states having complementary legislative powers; to recognise cultural diversity; to ensure freedom of religion and belief; to ensure social development; and to ensure equitable sharing of power and national wealth. The Parties agreed to the establishment of a coordinating council between the Southern States for better implementation of the Agreement, and to work together for improvement of living conditions in the war-affected areas. The Parties agreed that Sudanese in general and Southerners in particular would be mobilised to rally behind and support the subsequent peace agreement.

The Parties to the Charter pledged to cooperate, support each other and stand together in bringing about peace and ruling the Sudan according to the following principles: preserving the unity of Sudan; testing a federal system; promote participatory democracy; fight sectarianism; observe freedom of religion; recognise cultural diversity; Sharia, customs and beliefs as sources for legislation, but with states having complementary legislative powers; citizenship; full participation of the Parties in constitutional, political and executive institutions; cooperation between the Parties for stability, reconstruction, rehabilitation and development in the war-affected areas; formation of one national army; effective Sudanese identity; equitable sharing of national wealth and power; decentralisation of the South; mobilise people to support the peace agreement; and make social development an extreme priority.

The Parties to the Declaration agreed to principles that would constitute the basis for resolving the conflict in Sudan, including: a peaceful and just political solution; the rights of self-determination of the people of South Sudan to determine their future status through a referendum; full recognition and accommodation of diversities; complete political and social equalities of all people; extensive rights of self-determination; a secular and democratic state; appropriate and fair sharing of wealth; internationally recognised human rights; and independence of the judiciary. In the absence of agreement on the above principles, the respective people would have the option to determine their future, including independence, through a referendum.