14 June 1999 Talks
in Asmara between Sudanese opposition groups are extended
after five straight days of discussion. Yassir Arman, an
SPLA spokesman, denies reports of policy rifts between opposition
participants.
"Sudan Opposition Groups
Extend Talks in Asmara", News Article by Agence France
Presse, 14 June 1999
14 June 1999 The
Governor of the eastern Sudanese state of Kassala states
that rebel attacks and land-mine planting near the Sudan-Eritrea
border have been intensifying despite the peace deal signed
between the Eritrean and Sudanese presidents last month.
Sudanese Foreign Minister
Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail concludes two days of meetings in
Qatar with his Eritrean counterpart Haile Woldensae, and
agrees to form joint security, political and military committees.
"Sudan Says Opposition
Escalating Situation in Eastern Sudan", News Article
by Associated Press, 14 June 1999
15 June 1999 At
the end of the opposition meeting in Asmara, Eritrea, Sudanese
opposition leaders state that they will be meeting Egyptian
and Libyan leaders next month to assist in reaching a settlement.
"Sudan's Opposition
Seeks Egyptian, Libyan Help in Settlement", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 15 June 1999
16 June 1999 Sudanese
Vice-President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha states that the government
is prepared to relinquish power if that will bring peace.
He states: "The government is ready to step down if
the chair of power is the only problem our country faces
. We are confessing loudly that our experience is a human
attempt that could be right or wrong . We are ready to discard
anything that proves to be wrong."
"Government Says It
Will Step Down if Necessary for Peace", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 16 June 1999
16 June 1999 The
National Democratic Alliance issues a statement following
the Asmara meeting calling for an intensification of the
armed struggle whilst continuing contacts with the Sudan
government. Mohammed al-Amin, head of the political department
of the National Congress, condemns the statement.
"Sudan Condemns Opposition
Statement", News Article by Reuters, 16 June 1999
19 June 1999 It
is reported that peace talks between the Sudanese government
and the SPLA will be held in Nairobi on 19 July. President
of the Southern Coordination Council Riek Machar states
that the talks could "achieve major progress so long
as the rebel movement delegation remains committed to the
political settlement option".
"Khartoum Confirms
Peace Talks with SPLA on July 19: Report", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 19 June 1999
21 June 1999 General
Mohammed Osman Yassin, spokesman of the Sudanese Army, denies
opposition claims that their forces had taken over the Dinder
national park in the Blue Nile region last Thursday. President
of the Southern Coordination Council Riek Machar warns against
the escalation of military operations in south Sudan by
the SPLA before the scheduled peace negotiations in Nairobi
on 19 July.`
"Sudanese Army Denies
Capture of Dinder National Park by Opposition", News
Article by DPA, 21 June 1999; "Sudan's Army, Opposition
Fight Over National Game Park", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 21 June 1999
21 June 1999 Libyan
leader Colonel Kadhafi is awarded an honorary doctorate
in law by the University of Khartoum for his efforts to
promote the unity of Libya and Sudan. Kadhafi vows to reconcile
the Sudanese government and the opposition forces. He states:
"I am calling for an inclusive conference for all Sudanese
where they can resolve their differences instead of warring
and feuding." He announces his opposition to the idea
of the separation of southern Sudan, and urges SPLA leader
John Garang to give up the idea, which he describes as "a
seed from the devil planted by imperialists".
"Sudan-Reconciliation
Kaddafi Vows to Reconcile Sudanese Belligerents", News
Article by PANA, 21 June 1999; "Kaddafi in Sudan Calls
on Opposition to Give Up Partition Idea", News Article
by ArabicNews.com, 21 June 1999
23 June 1999 Sadiq
al-Mahdi, Umma Party leader, in an interview with the Saudi-owned
news magazine al-Wasat states that although he is
"keen on a peaceful solution", he also believes
that "the regime that imposed the armed struggle upon
us needs to be removed the same way - namely, by military
means and through mobilisation for an uprising."
"Sudan's Mahdi: 'Why
I'm Keen on a Peaceful Solution", News Article by Mideast
Mirror, 23 June 1999
29 June 1999 Umma
Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi declares: "The opposition
. can't simply talk war, war, it must also talk about the
principles of a political solution." He states that
the IGAD talks were "defective" could not lead
to a comprehensive peace since they excluded parties other
than the SPLA and did not deal with the constitution. Whilst
criticising the Sudanese government he says that internal
and external pressures had forced Khartoum to "think
in terms of change".
"Sudan Ripe for Change,
Opposition Leader Says", News Article by Reuters, 29
June 1999
30 June 1999 In
a speech celebrating a decade in power, Sudanese President
Omer al Bashir urged opposition groups to return from exile
and share in the country's development. He reverses the
government's previous refusal to summon a national conference
on the country's future and constitution - as demanded by
the National Democratic Alliance - and states: "I affirm
our agreement to the holding of a comprehensive conference
for national dialogue." He further states that he would
shortly set up an advisory council drawn from registered
political parties to help shape a reconciliation policy.
He also adds that the government "open[s] the door
wide to amnesty" to the rebel movement.
"Bashir Calls for Peace
With Enemies", News Article by BBC, 30 June 1999; "Sudan
President Offers Dialogue With Opposition", News Article,
News Article by Reuters , 30 June 1999
1 July 1999 Mohammed
al-Hassan al-Amin, secretary of the National Congress party's
political department, states that: "At the start of
arrangement to hold a comprehensive conference for dialogue
between the sons of Sudan, the National Congress set up
two committees for contact with the opposition outside and
inside [the country]."
"Sudan Forms Committee
for Opposition Dialogue", News Article by Reuters,
1 July 1999
1 July 1999 Sudanese
Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail states that the government
will discuss a cease-fire with rebels at the 19 July peace
talks in Nairobi.
2 July 1999 Umma
Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi gives a special statement on
the Sudan issue to ArabicNews.com. He summarises his criticism
of the NIF government while accepting that "the regime
has attempted to reform itself during the last two years."
He reiterates his threefold criticism of the IGAD peace
process: its restriction to "only . two parties to
the conflict"; its exclusion of the constitution; its
exclusion of "other equally concerned neighbours."
He reaffirms the "solidarity" of the NDA, which
he states was adequately addressed at its 10 June meeting,
expresses support for both the IGAD and the Egyptian-Libyan
peace initiatives and calls for a "search for a mechanism
to coordinate the mediation efforts". He argues that
the "process of political dialogue will become really
viable if and when three aspects are realised". Those
aspects are, he states: "A comprehensive declaration
of principles . A mechanism to coordinate the mediation
efforts as a form of IGAAD-plus . A comprehensive negotiating
mechanism."
He re-states his view that
"the political situation in Sudan is pregnant with
change".
"Former Sudanese Prime
Minister Sadek El-Mahdi Addresses the Sudan Issue",
News Article by ArabicNews.com, 2 July 1999
5 July 1999 Faruq
Abu Issa, spokesman for the National Democratic Alliance
reveals that Kamel Tayeb, a representative of the Sudanese
parliamentary speaker Hassan al-Turabi, "has been holding
meetings since Sunday with various factions of the opposition,
in particular with former prime minister Sadek al-Mahdi.His
task is to persuade the opposition to start a dialogue with
Mr. Turabi.But if the dialogue is to be fruitful, there
has to be a return to democracy, the reestablishment of
freedom of expression, an end to arrests, the lifting of
the state of emergency and the holding of free elections.Mr.
Turabi apparently accepts these principles. But it is essential
for the government to issue a statement to that end if we
are to embark on our dialogue with Khartoum."
"Sudanese Envoy in
Cairo to Press Opposition to Negotiate", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 5 July 1999
10 July 1999 SPLA
leader John Garang claims that the Sudanese government wanted
to destroy the unity of opposition groups. In a speech read
out by a representative at the opening session of the two-day
meeting of the National Democratic Alliance in Egypt. He
states: "The regime's keenness to talk to several mediators
at several fora proves.a desperate attempt to break up our
lines."
"Sudan Opposition Says
Government Seeks to Shatter Unity", News Article by
Reuters, 10 July 1999
10 July 1999 Ali
al-Haj Mohammed, a Sudanese government negotiator, expresses
pessimism over the next round of peace negotiations with
the SPLA in Nairobi. He states that it was "a negative
indication" that the government had not yet received
an agenda from IGAD. He also criticises the setting by IGAD
of just two days for the talks. "A time limit is not
conducive to resolving any problem", he says. He adds
that he has no reason to be optimistic that the Nairobi
talks would bring "any positive results".
"Khartoum Sceptical
About Next Round of Sudan Peace Talks", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 10 July 1999
11 July 1999 Egypt's
Deputy Prime Minister Yousef Wali meets with National Democratic
Alliance members to discuss the future of Sudan. NDA member
Mohammed Hakim reveals that Egypt is trying to set up talks
between Sudanese opposition groups and the Sudanese government.
NDA officials state that they will explore the idea of talks
and propose the enlargement of the Kenyan IGAD talks to
include the NDA and other forces. NDA leadership council
member Omer Deng says: "If we can enlarge the [Kenya
talks] to accommodate the NDA and all the forces we would
have a better chance to reach a peaceful solution and regional
stability."
Umma Party spokesman Hassan
Ahmed al-Hassan states: "The opposition sees a change
in the Khartoum regime's policy. It has given a margin of
freedom in the press and political life . [it] has improved
relations with Ethiopia and Eritrea, and is trying to normalise
ties with Egypt, the Gulf states and even the United States."
However, SPLA leader John Garang, in a speech read on his
behalf to the Egyptian-NDA talks, states that the Sudanese
government is trying to "divide our ranks".
"Sudan Opposition Says
Egypt Launching Peace Effort", News Article by Reuters,
11 July 1999; "Opposition Party Welcomes New Flexibility
in Khartoum Government", News Article by Agence France
Presse, 11 July 1999
19 July 1999 As
peace talks begin in Nairobi under the aegis of IGAD, the
SPLA announces the renewal of a humanitarian cease-fire
in south-western Sudan. Sudan's Foreign Minister Ismail
states that he is going to Nairobi with "an open mind
and heart and would exert every possible effort for achieving
progress in the negotiations". Deputy speaker of the
Sudanese parliament, Abdulaziz Shiddou, warns against "American
conspiracies to undermine the negotiations".
"South Sudan Rebels
Extend Humanitarian Truce, Talks Start", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 19 July 1999
23 July 1999 At
the end of the IGAD peace talks the Sudanese government
and the opposition agree to set up a special secretariat,
based in Nairobi and headed by Kenyan diplomat Daniel Mboya,
to help negotiate peace. Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa
Osman states that the secretariat "will shorten intervals
between rounds of talks between the two parties and will
persuade the negotiators to put forward practical proposals".
He also states that Khartoum is ready for a total cease-fire
"to create an atmosphere conducive to negotiations"
but declined a cease-fire limited only to the South which
would "intensify the fighting in other areas".
Samson Kwaje, spokesman of the SPLA, states that a total
cease-fire should come only after both sides had settled
outstanding political issues and states that "no substantive
progress towards the resolution of the core contentious
issues has been made". He reiterates SPLA demands regarding
the abolition of Sharia, the establishment of a local administration
in the south for a two year period prior to an independence
referendum and a boundary on the south drawn further north.
Foreign Minister Dr Mustafa
Osman Ismail accuses the SPLA of retreating from agreements
made at previous rounds of talks stating that: "This
changing of positions tactically does not help us build
a bond". He also states that Khartoum "has other
options to pursue in the event of the failure of the permanent
secretariat".
Dr Hassan al-Turabi states
that he will pursue talks with former prime minister Sadiq
al-Mahdi and raises the prospect of "decisive"
meetings with other prominent northerners, including Democratic
Unionist Party chief Osman al-Mirghani. However, he warns
that: "Meetings with the opposition are likely but
cannot be declared because if announced, they could be foiled
by other parties".
"Sudan, Rebels Agree
on Continuous Peace Talks", News Article by Associated
Press, 23 July 1999; "FOCUS - Sudan's Peace Talks End
Without Renewing Truce", News Article by Reuters, 23
July 1999; "Sudan's Government, Opposition Sceptical
About Peace Project", News Article by Agence France
Presse, 25 July 1999
24 July 1999 In
an official press conference following his return from the
IGAD peace conference Sudanese Foreign Minister Dr Mustafa
Osman Ismail states that conference had revealed the "great
contradictions in the stances of the rebellion movement".
He argues that the SPLA "speaks about the unified Sudan,
while at the same time it calls for a confederacy involving
two states with each has its own army, foreign relations
and currency. The confederacy as proposed by the movement
means separation and two states and never means unity".
The government restates
its commitment to the following principles:
"Humanitarian assistance
to all war affected areas throughout the southern Sudan";
"the right of self-determination";
that Sudanese society "is
pluralistic, multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural";
that Sudan "is a democratic
state, where the power is exercised by the Sudanese through
their elected institutions";
"Citizenship is the
base for filling of public offices and the enjoyment of
all rights and duties - not religion or race".
"Religious freedoms
are part of the fundamental rights"
The government also specifically
renews its call for a comprehensive cease-fire: It states:
"The Government of Sudan maintain its constant position
calling for the comprehensive, unlimited, and permanent
cease-fire in the southern Sudan to facilitate the delivery
of humanitarian assistance to the needy areas and to create
conducive atmosphere for peace talks under the IGAD umbrella...
[It] reiterates its support for national, regional and international
appeals calling for an immediate comprehensive cease-fire."
"Press Conference and
Sudan's Government Position on the 4th Round
of Peace Negotiations With SPLM/A Nairobi 19th-23th
July 1999, Important Issues", Government of Sudan,
25 July 1999
28 July 1999 The
Canadian government announces its support for the setting
up of a permanent Talks Secretariat and pledges $300,000
for its maintenance.
"Canada Supports Sudan
Peace Talks Secretariat", CIDA-News Release, 28 July
1999
31 July 1999 The
Sudanese government is accused of having used chemical weapons
in an attack near Lainya in southern Sudan.
"Sudan 'Chemical' Attack
on Rebels", News Article by BBC Online News, 31 July
1999
2 August 1999 Norwegian
People's Aid went so far as to issue a press release on
2 August headed 'Confirmed Chemical Bombing in Southern
Sudan'.
'Confirmed Chemical Bombing
in Southern Sudan', Press Release by Norwegian People's
Aid on 2 August, 1999, carried on ReliefWeb at http://www.reliefweb.int
4 August 1999 The
Sudanese government categorically denied any such use of
chemical weapons. The Sudanese Foreign Minister, Dr Mustafa
Osman Ismail, stated on 5 August, 1999 that the Sudanese
government was "ready to receive any impartial and
credible quarter to investigate this [matter].Sudan does
not possess chemical weapons.the allegations made by the
Norwegian People's Aid.are mere lies". The Sudanese
army spokesman, General Mohammed Osman, said the allegations
were a smear against the Khartoum government.
'Minister: Sudan Ready For
Probe Into Claims Of Chemical Warfare', News Article by
Associated Press on 5 August 1999: 'Briton Taken Ill After
Sudan "Chemical Raid"', The Independent
(London), 4 August, 1999.
5 August 1999 Foreign
Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail states that Sudan is ready
for an impartial investigation into allegations that it
used chemical or biological weapons against the two southern
towns of Lainya and Kaaya.
"Sudan Declares Unilateral
Cease-Fire", News Article by Yahoo News, 5 August 1999
5 August 1999 The
Sudanese government declares a unilateral 70-day cease-fire
in the south "to facilitate the distribution of humanitarian
aid". It calls upon the SPLA to announce its own cease-fire
"to end the people's suffering and go forward in the
march towards a peaceful solution to the conflict".
SPLA spokesman Samson Kwaje
states that the SPLA had already declared a cease-fire in
the Bahr al Ghazal province and in the western and Upper
Nile province and that the government's cease-fire "is
just a trick so that they can go and finish us in the east.We
are not interested in a comprehensive ceasefire. We are
interested in a humanitarian ceasefire".
"Khartoum Decrees a
70-day Ceasefire in Sudan's South", News Article by
Agence France Presse, 5 August; "Kwaje Said the Rebels
Had Already Declared a Ceasefire in Bahr el Ghazal",
News Article by Reuters, 5 August 1999; "Sudanese Rebels
Reject Government Cease-Fire", News Article by Reuters,
5 August 1999; "Sudanese Government Declares Comprehensive
Cease-Fire", News Article by Associated Press, 5 August
1999
6 August 1999 SPLA
leader John Garang once again rejects the Sudanese government's
proposal for a comprehensive cease-fire.
"Sudan Rebel Leader
Rejects Government Truce Offer", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 6 August 1999
6 August 1999 The
Secretary-General of the United Nations welcomes the Sudanese
government's declaration of a comprehensive cease-fire.
He states: "A ceasefire is essential.I call upon the
SPLM to consider extending the scope of its ceasefire and
this contribute to the creation of an enabling environment
for humanitarian operations in the Sudan."
"Statement by the Secretary-General
on the Extension of the Humanitarian Cease-Fire in Sudan",
UN Department of Public Information, http://www.reliefweb.int,
6 August 1999; "Annan Calls on Sudan's SPLM Leader
to Sign Ceasefire", News Article by Agence France Presse,
7 August 1999; "Annan Hails Sudan Cease-Fire Allowing
Aid to Flow", News Article by Reuters, 6 August 1999
6 August 1999 SPLA
leader John Garang accuses the Sudanese government's declaration
of a cease-fire as a ploy to buy time to deploy newly trained
army recruits and that government planes had in fact bombed
the southern towns of Yei and Lainya. Independent confirmation
of his latter claim could not be made by the media.
"Sudanese Rebels Accuse
Government of Exploiting Cease-Fire", News Article
by Associated Press, 6 August 1999; "Sudan Rebel Leader
Rejects Government Truce Offer", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 6 August 1999
7 August 1999 Sudanese
Foreign Minister Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail states that: "The
Sudan [government] will go on implementing its decision
of a comprehensive ceasefire irrespective of a declaration
by the rebel movement rejecting this ceasefire."
"Sudan Government to
Observe Ceasefire Despite SPLA Rejection", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 7 August 1999
7 August 1999 Sudanese
Foreign Minister Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail affirms Sudan's
acceptance of the Libyan reconciliation initiative and its
five items. He states that the Sudanese government, unlike
the rebels, is placing no pre-conditions before negotiations,
that no political detainees are held in Sudanese prisons,
that the state of emergency only remains in areas of military
conflict, that the issue of amendments to the constitution
are negotiable and that the government is ready to join
dialogue on different issues.
"Dr. Ismail Affirms
Government Acceptance of Libyan Reconciliation Initiative",
SUNA News Digest, 7 August 1999, http:sudan.net/wwwboard/news/89755html
7 August 1999 Nhail
Deng, personal representative of SPLA leader John Garang,
expresses SPLA support for the Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative.
He says: "In the alliance [i.e. National Democratic
Alliance], we have agreed during our last meeting in the
Libyan capital on the Libyan initiative to achieve to achieve
the national reconciliation in Sudan.In the alliance and
in the people's movement, we will do what is necessary so
the efforts exerted for finding peace and reconciliation
in Sudan become fruitful, yet we hope that the Sudanese
government takes specific measures to qualify the adequate
atmosphere for the beginning of discussion and negotiation
with it."
"Garang Views Importance
of Establishing Trust Through Specific Steps by Khartoum",
News Article by ArabicNews.com, 7 August 1999
10 August 1999 Umma
Party spokesman Hassan Ahmed al-Hassan states that Egypt
and Libya have set up a joint committee to build international
support for a peace conference and a further committee to
work out the organisational details. The latter will meet,
he states, after the 6-9 September summit of the Organization
of African Unity.
12 August 1999 The
Arab League states that it supports the Sudanese government's
decision to declare a unilateral cease-fire and asks the
United Nations and other organisations to back Sudan's move
"as well as Egypt's and Libya's efforts to achieve
reconciliation in Sudan".
"Arab League Supports
Sudan's Cease-Fire Decision", News Article by Reuters,
19 August 1999
17 August 1999 The
Co-Chairs of the Sudan Committee of the IGAD Partners Forum
(IPF), the Governments of Italy and Norway, welcome the
declaration of a comprehensive cease-fire by the Sudanese
government and "call[s] upon the SPLM/A to consider
extending the scope of the current humanitarian ceasefire".
"Statement by the Co-Chairs
of the Sudan Committee of the IGAD Partners Forum, the Governments
of Italy and Norway, on the Ceasefire in Sudan", Government
of Norway, 17 August 1999, at http://www.reliefweb.int
19 August 1999 The
European Union welcomes the Sudanese government's cease-fire
and calls upon both the government and the SPLA "to
enter a mutual agreement on a permanent comprehensive humanitarian
cease-fire".
"Declaration by the
Presidency on Behalf of the European Union on the Humanitarian
Cease-Fire in Sudan", CFSP Presidency Statement, Nr.
10562-CFSP:82/99, Brussels, 19 August 1999; "EU Welcomes
Cease-Fire in Sudan", News Article by XINHUA, 20 August
1999
21 August 1999 Sudanese
Foreign Minister Mustafa Ismail states that the Sudanese
government expresses its "utmost willingness"
to enter peace talks with the opposition and will shortly
name five delegates for a preparatory committee. A visiting
Egyptian-Libyan delegation has been informed, Ismail states,
"that we have begun preparing the atmosphere for the
success of the initiative by declaring a ceasefire and adopting
a formal media line in support of the reconciliation process".
Ismail also states that:
"The government intends to return all seized properties
[from the rebels], even if no agreement is reached with
the opposition."
"Sudan 'Willing' to
Enter Peace Talks, Newspaper Says", News Article by
Agence France Presse, 21 August 1999; "War-Torn Sudan
Takes Step Toward National Dialogue", News Article
by Reuters, 21 August 1999
24 August 1999 The
Sudanese government accepts a Libyan-Egyptian plan to end
the war, under which the parties would call a permanent
cease-fire, attend a national peace conference and stop
mounting media campaigns against each other.
"Report: Sudan Accepts
Egyptian-Libyan Peace Plan", News Article by Associated
Press, 24 August 1999
25 August 1999 Musa
Dirar, a member of the Sudanese ruling National Congress
party, urges President al-Bashir to allow the South to secede
in order to end the civil war. He states: "The setting
up of a new state in the south, to live with the north in
the context of good neighbouliness, is better for the north
and the south after the failure of politicians to stop the
war which has entered its 44th year." He
calls for an immediate referendum on unity or secession
for the south, as offered in the Khartoum agreement of April
1997.
"Sudan Politician Urges
Bashir to Let South Secede", News Article by Reuters,
25 August 1999
26 August 1999 Mubarak
al-Fadel al-Mahdi, Secretary-General of the National Democratic
Alliance states that the NDA has agreed to the Egyptian-Libyan
plan to end the civil war. But Yassir Arman, spokesman for
the SPLA, states that this is not the case and that the
NDA could not hold talks until conditions improve. Arman
says: "[The NDA] does not enter into negotiations in
the shadow of the ban on its parties and unions . Khartoum
did not take any confidence-building steps and also did
not prepare the atmosphere for negotiations."
"Sudanese Opposition
Gives Mixed Response to Egypt-Libya Plan", News Article
by Associated Press, 26 August 1999
30 August 1999 The SPLA/SPLM
rejects the Libyan-Egyptian peace proposals. It reiterates
its conditions to be met by Khartoum before a peace conference
can be organised, and states that "the IGAD peace initiative
is the only viable peace process that
should continue. There is therefore no need for parallel
initiatives that will allow the notorious NIF regime off
the hook".
"SPLM Press Release: SPLM/A Position on
Libyan-Egyptian Proposal", Dr. Samson L. Kwaje, SPLA
Spokesman, Nairobi, 30 August 1999; "World: Africa Sudanese
Rebels Reject Peace Plan", BBC News Online Network. 30
August 1999; "Sudanese Rebels Snub Libyan-Egyptian Mediation
Effort", News Article by Agence France Presse, 30 August
1999; "Sudanese Rebels Reject Peace Plan", News
Article by BBC, 30 August 1999
