Editing Treaty of 2552

{{Status|Canon}}
{{References}}
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|image=[[File:Handshake-large.jpg|300px]]
|caption=Arbiter Thel 'Vadam and Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood shake hands to symbolize peace between their species
|conflict=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|date=*[[2552#November|November 3, 2552]] {{C|unofficial with the [[Fleet of Retribution]]}}
*[[2553#February|February 2553]]<ref name="gl60">''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'', p. 60</ref> {{C|ratified with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]]}}
|place=[[Vadam]], [[Sanghelios]]{{Ref/Reuse|gl60}}
|result=End of the Human-Covenant War {{C|see [[Treaty of 2552#Terms|terms]] below}}
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{{Quote|I promise this to every man, woman and child on Earth and in its colonies. While we will continue to strive for a peaceful coexistence with other species, humanity will never again allow itself to be the victim of aggression. This is the moment we start to reclaim our rightful place in the universe.|[[President of the Unified Earth Government|President]] [[Ruth Charet]]'s inaugural speech<ref>''Halo: Glasslands'', p. 43</ref>}}

The '''Treaty of 2552''', also known as the '''Ceasefire of 2552''',{{Ref/Level|Id=Umbra|SA|Operation A: Umbra}} is an agreement of peace between the [[Unified Earth Government]] and the [[Fleet of Retribution]]—or more generally, most of [[human]]ity and [[Sangheili]]—that brought an end to the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Although the war officially ended on [[2553#March|March 3, 2553]], the fighting between humanity and the [[Covenant]] ended on [[2552#December|December 11, 2552]].{{Ref/Level|Id=halo|H3|Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo}} The treaty's title refers to the peace agreement and alliance developed between the Sangheili and the [[United Nations Space Command]] in 2552, although the Treaty of 2552 was formally ratified in [[2553#February|February 2553]] with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].{{Ref/Reuse|gl60}} The era following the war is referred to as the '''Treaty period''' by some individuals.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/axl|Site=Halo Waypoint|Section=Universe, Characters|Page=Axl|D=15|M=11|Y=2014}}

The Swords of Sanghelios are the only known [[Covenant remnants|ex-Covenant group]] to maintain diplomatic relations with the Unified Earth Government (UEG); for example, no formal treaties existed between the UEG and Kig-Yar governments as of March 2553.<ref>''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'', p. 4??</ref> However, the majority of the former Covenant species at large are no longer aggressive toward humanity, and Kig-Yar, for example, continue to trade with humans and Sangheili.<ref>''Halo: Glasslands'', p. 113</ref><ref>''Halo: Glasslands'', p. 134</ref> The UEG and the Swords of Sanghelios attempted to form a peace treaty with a [[Jiralhanae]] [[Lydus' clan|clan]] led by [[Lydus|Chieftain Lydus]] on [[Ealen IV]] in [[2558#March|March of 2558]], but these peace talks were disrupted by a [[Vata 'Gajat's mercenary group|mercenary group]].{{Ref/Comic|HE|Issue=1}}{{Ref/Comic|HE|Issue=3}}
==Terms==
The Treaty of 2552 declared the cessation of hostilities between [[human]]ity and the [[Sangheili]]. The peace treaty forbids any party of the agreement from landing on the remains of [[Installation 04]]{{Ref/Film|Id=nf1|Film=Halo: Nightfall|Detail=[[Halo: Nightfall#Chapter One: It's Only Just Beginning|Chapter One: It's Only Just Beginning]]}} and a 500 light-second exclusion zone was established around [[Threshold]], with both Sangheili and human warships patrolling the region.{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/threshold|Site=Halo Waypoint|Section=Universe, Locations|Page=Threshhold|D=27|M=11|Y=2015}} However, Sangheili and UNSC forces continue to monitor [[Installation 07]] and worked together to prevent potential [[Flood]] outbreaks,{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/catalog-interaction/4c3e1c6f-6519-4ee0-83a4-4bac13bf07a3/posts?page=48|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=Catalog Interaction|D=13|M=04|Y=2016|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#Post_.2312|Quote=Records provided to Human naval authorities by allied [macto cognatus] indicate implementation of adequate containment and sterilization protocols within infected zone. Human and allied [macto cognatus] [search and assess] groups continue monitoring and remediation efforts at [site]. Warning! [site] status request requires elevated command authority.}} while the UNSC has established research facilities orbiting [[Installation 03|Installations 03]] and [[Installation 05|05]].<ref name="11hour">''[[Eleventh Hour reports]]'', Report #5</ref> Regions of space held cooperatively between the [[Unified Earth Government]] and the [[Swords of Sanghelios]], called [[Joint Occupation Zone]]s, were established,{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/catalog-interaction/4c3e1c6f-6519-4ee0-83a4-4bac13bf07a3/posts?page=14|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=Catalog Interaction|D=21|M=10|Y=2018|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#Post_.236|Quote=Records provided to Human naval authorities by allied [macto cognatus] indicate implementation of adequate containment and sterilization protocols within infected zone. Edom [control] unable to contact installation monitor for [ERR,REGRES] cycles. Requesting [site] status from ecumene [control].}} as were research and military pacts formed between the two governments.<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2969311_Catalog-Interaction.aspx#post2969311 ''Halo Waypoint'': Catalog Interaction (post 2969311)]</ref> [[Terrorism|Terrorist]] groups and splinter cells continued to directly violate the treaty's terms by attacking the parties of the treaty.{{Ref/Reuse|Umbra}}{{Ref/Reuse|nf1}}

==History==
The [[Human-Covenant War]] lasted just over twenty-eight years. The war, primarily occurring in the [[Orion Arm]] of the [[Milky Way]] galaxy, led to the destruction of a majority of the [[Unified Earth Government]]'s [[human colonies|colonies]], over 23 billion [[human]] causalities,{{Ref/Anthology|Evo|Story=Palace Hotel}} and the dissolution of the massive [[Covenant]] empire. In [[2552|the final year]] of the war, the remaining [[Hierarchs]] of the Covenant replaced the [[Sangheili]] with the [[Jiralhanae]] in an effort to gain an unquestioning [[Covenant military|military]].{{Ref/Novel|BC|Chapter=15}} This led to the [[Great Schism]] and the entire Sangheili species was ejected from the Covenant. The most organized group of Sangheili was led by [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]] and [[Covenant Special Operations|Special Operations]] [[Commander (Covenant)|Commander]] [[Rtas 'Vadum]]. Recognizing that the Sangheili were too disorganized to properly seek revenge against the Covenant, 'Vadam and 'Vadum reluctantly agreed to work together with members of the UEG's [[United Nations Space Command]] to defeat the Covenant.{{Ref/Level|Id=journey|H2|The Great Journey}} Initially, however, there was no truce between humanity and the Sangheili species at large; at the onset of the Great Schism, the Sangheili on High Charity continued to engage both Covenant and UNSC forces in the midst of the confusion, additionally [[Xytan 'Jar Wattinree|Xytan 'Jar Wattinree's]] [[Joyous Exultation Covenant|forces]] at [[Saepon'kal|Joyous Exultation]] remained hostile to both Covenant and UNSC as well.<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', p. 239-245</ref> Ultimately, the UNSC and the Sangheili [[Fleet of Retribution]] were able to work together to dissolve the Covenant at [[Installation 00]] and stop a potential galactic [[Flood]] outbreak.{{Ref/Reuse|halo}}{{Ref/Level|H3|The Covenant (level)|The Covenant}} With the war over, relative peace was finally seen by humanity for the first time in years. [[Terrence Hood|Fleet Admiral Lord Terrence Hood]] was invited to [[Sanghelios]] by the Arbiter to formalize the peace treaty between the UEG and the newly established [[Swords of Sanghelios]], ratifying the Treaty of 2552.{{Ref/Reuse|gl60}} The official treaty was signed and ratified by Hood and 'Vadam. On [[2553#March|March 3, 2553]], 'Vadam and 'Vadum were invited to [[Earth]] for the [[Voi Memorial]], a tribute to the soldiers that lost their lives in the war.{{Ref/Reuse|halo}}<ref>''Halo: Glasslands'', p. 358-361</ref>

After the signing of the treaty, the Arbiter traveled across Sanghelios and visited each state to make his case for permanent peace with humanity throughout early [[2553]]. He reminded the Sangheili that if anyone disagreed with him, they could attempt an assassination as per Sangheili tradition.<ref>''Halo: Glasslands'', p. 58-61</ref> In [[Mdama]], although many [[keep]] [[elder]]s did not agree with 'Vadam's ideals and beliefs, [[Kaidon]] [[Levu 'Mdama]] pledged that his state would side with him for the good of the Sangheili.<ref>''Halo: Glasslands'', p. 88</ref>

Later, after the UNSC helped 'Vadam fend off [[Blooding Years|the attack]] by the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]], the Arbiter was in talks to visit the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}. The Swords of Sanghelios also participated in simulation exercises with [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IV]] forces as part of the [[Anvil Initiative]]. The UNSC also provided security during peace talks between the Arbiter's faction and [[Children of Oth Sonin]] in [[2558]].

On [[2558#October|October 27, 2558]] Spartan-IV [[Fireteam Osiris]], led by [[Jameson Locke]], arrived at Sanghelios in their search for [[John-117]] and the rest of [[Blue Team]]. Osiris assisted the Swords of Sanghelios in battle against Jul 'Mdama's Covenant while they laid siege on the [[Elder Council Chamber]]. After Jul 'Mdama's Covenant was pushed back, Fireteam Osiris supported the Swords of Sanghelios in their [[Battle of Sunaion|attack]] on the Covenant's final stronghold in [[Sunaion]].

==Reactions, controversies, and violations==
<!-- This section is for violations and reactions to the treaty -->
Although the reaction to the treaty was mainly positive on both sides, many humans and Sangheili were still opposed to peace between the species. Despite harboring dislike for the species, most humans accepted the treaty and saw it as a step in the right direction. However, groups such as [[Sapien Sunrise]], an extremist xenophobic organization, were heavily opposed to peace with the Sangheili. Based in the [[Outer Colonies]], Sapien Sunrise had access to military hardware, and in [[2558]] used it to infiltrate a peace delegation on [[Biko]], planning to assassinate the human ambassadors and blame it on the Sangheili. However, their plan failed when [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan]] [[John-117]] killed the terrorists and rescued most of the delegation.{{Ref/Audio|Id=HtT10|HtT|Season=1|Episode 10: Gag Order}}

In [[2552]], just days after the treaty was finalized, the treaty was violated by [[SPARTAN-II program|Spartan-II]] [[Gray Team]] who used a [[NOVA bomb]] to destroy the Sangheili planet of [[Glyke]] during [[Operation: SUNSPEAR]], killing billions and committing genocide after the treaty was in effect. However, Gray Team was unaware of this fact, having only been aware that Earth was [[Battle for Earth|under attack]] the last that they knew. When Gray Team resurfaced in [[2558]] following the [[Carrow Conflict]], they faced possible punishment as [[war criminal]]s for their action. However, ONI offered a deal for them to join an interspecies strike force operating in the [[Joint Occupation Zone]]s with part of the deal being a formal pardon by [[Thel 'Vadam]] and the [[Swords of Sanghelios]].<ref>''[[Halo: Envoy]]'', Chapter ??</ref>

The treaty was violated by the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] in [[2553]] when the covert intelligence unit [[Kilo-Five]] was tasked with inciting insurrection between various [[Covenant remnants|Sangheili factions]] to keep the Sangheili from gaining strength,{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Chapter=1}} with ONI directly violating the treaty in March 2553, when the {{UNSCShip|Port Stanley}}, captained by [[Serin Osman]], destroyed a number of 'Vadam's ships by posing as a [[Kig-Yar]] pirate ship.

In [[2554]], [[Merg Vol's Covenant]] violated the treaty by attacking the human colony of [[Draetheus V]] and its moon [[X50]].{{Ref/Reuse|Umbra}} During the following [[Battle of Draetheus V|battle]], the leader, [[Merg Vol]] was able to cause Draetheus V to break up using X50 which was in fact a Forerunner device for creating and destroying planets. However, Spartan-IV [[Sarah Palmer]] was able to evacuate most of the colonists using stolen [[Dextro Xur-pattern Spirit|Spirit dropships]]. This faction fell apart after Palmer killed Merg Vol on X50 and sabotaged the device so that no one could use it again.{{Ref/Game|HSA}}

In [[2556]], after the [[terrorist attack on Sedra City]] by [[Unidentified Sangheili Zealot (Sedra)|a Sangheili terrorist]], information from a smuggler named [[Axl]] led [[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Jameson Locke]]'s unit to discover [[Alpha Shard]] where a new element created from the destruction of [[Installation 04]] was used to create a [[bioweapon]] fatal only to humans. As visiting Alpha Shard was a violation of the treaty, [[Mission to Alpha Shard|the joint mission]] between ONI and the [[Sedran Colonial Guard]] was also meant to gather proof of the Covenant violating the treaty by capturing the smugglers. The team failed to bring back any living smugglers and most were killed, but the deposits on Alpha Shard were destroyed by Colonel [[Randall Aiken]] using a [[HAVOK tactical nuclear weapon]], preventing any more of the element from being mined and turned into a bioweapon.<ref>''[[Halo: Nightfall]]''</ref>

Although Thel 'Vadam gained a strong following through his cooperation with humanity, many Sangheili believed he betrayed his people. As with humanity, Sangheili extremist organizations began to form. One such group was led by [[Otar 'Bemet]], who in [[2555]], conspired to kill the Arbiter with weapons they were planning to steal from a manufacturing facility in the [[Qish'tani]] region of [[Tolvuus]], [[Sanghelios]].<ref>''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'', p. 52</ref> The plan failed, however, when one of the Arbiters soldiers, [[Usze 'Taham]], killed the conspirators.<ref>''Halo: Hunters in the Dark'', p. 57</ref> Discontent over the treaty led to the rise of several hostile [[Covenant remnants]], particularly [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|the group]] led by [[Jul 'Mdama]] who believed humanity was the most urgent threat the Sangheili faced, particularly after discovering ONI supplying the [[Servants of the Abiding Truth]] and escaping human capture.<ref>''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'', Chapter ??</ref>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]'' {{Fm}}
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo 4]]'' {{Im}}
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Nightfall]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'' {{Im}}
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]'' {{mo}}

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources|2}}

[[Category:Human-Covenant War]]