The Imperial Instruments of Surrender was the armistice that formalized the surrender of the Galactic Empire, marking the end of conflict with the New Republic in the Galactic Civil War, and was signed by Chancellor Mon Mothma and the Grand Vizier Mas Amedda following the Battle of Jakku in 5 ABY. The Instruments marked an initial armistice between both sides, setting the stage to a formal end to hostilities and reduction of the Empire's power. It forced the defeated Empire to abide by the terms of the Galactic Concordance. Mon Mothma issued another declaration designating all surviving Imperial officers as war criminals but granting conditional pardons to civilian functionaries including Mas Amedda, provided they complied with the articles of the Galactic Concordance.
Despite this formality, the Imperial Navy was in fact allowed to stay united, so long as it remained within the borders of the Imperial remnant. The officers who did not accept surrender retreated to the outer portions of the galaxy and established another faction. These war criminals would then keep their forces at the ready in case conflict were to break out, leading to a Cold War between the Imperial hardliners and the New Republic.
The signing of the Imperial Instruments of Surrender took place north of Hanna City, the capital city of the planet Chandrila.
- Star Wars: On the Front Lines
- The Star Wars Book