Who has the authority to conclude a truce (Hudna) or pact of protection (Dhimma)?

Primary text

Only the Imam (ruler) or his deputy possesses the authority to conclude a pact of truce or security with the aggregate of disbelievers. This is because the matter pertains to the discretion of the Imam and the public interest he perceives. Allowing others to do so results in undermining the Jihad entirely or in that region, constituting an unauthorized overreach against the Imam.