26 October 1999 The
Sudanese National Congress mandates Foreign Minister Dr
Mustafa Osman Ismail to meet opposition leaders seeking
reconciliation with Khartoum. New committees are to be formed
to conduct reconciliation talks. Information Minister Ghazi
Saleheddin Atabani is to take part in preparatory meetings
with the opposition for a proposed national dialogue conference.
A committee has also been formed under first Vice-President
Ali Osman Mohammed Taha for contacts with opponents abroad
and another under Higher Education Minister Professor Ibrahim
Ahmed Omer for contacts with opponents inside the country.
"Sudanese FM Mandated
to Meet Opponents in Cairo: Official", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 26 October 1999
28 October 1999 Following
talks in Cairo with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail, the Egyptian
Foreign Minister Amr Moussa announces that Sudan's President
Omer al-Bashir will visit Egypt soon. He states that he
feels "optimistic" about ties between the two
nations and the normalisation of relations.
Ismail also reiterates Sudan's
view that the Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative did not aim
at replacing that of IGAD and that the Sudanese government
believed it was important to coordinate the two.
"Sudan President to
Visit Egypt Soon, Moussa", News Article by Reuters,
28 October 1999; "Egypt's Mubarak Meets Sudanese Foreign
Minister", News Article by DPA, 28 October 1999
28 October 1999 Members
of the Sudanese parliamentary majority announce their attention
to lobby both the Khartoum government, and to send a parliamentary
delegation to meet opposition leaders abroad, in order to
achieve "national reconciliation". Sudan had lost
"the best of its youth", they declared, and called
for guns to be used to defend the nation and not for Sudanese
to shoot each other.
"Sudanese Deputies
Press for Reconciliation With Opposition", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 28 October 1999
28 October 1999 Umma
Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi, during a visit to Cairo, states
that the Egyptian-Libyan peace plan is "the only comprehensive
framework designed to help end the civil strife in Sudan.What
is important about the initiative is that it has placed
the future of rule in Sudan on the agenda of discussion".
"Sudanese Opposition
Leader Praises Egyptian-Libyan Peace Plan", News Article
by XINHUA, 28 October 1999
28 October 1999 SPLA
leader John Garang phones Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi to
stress his commitment to the Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative.
"Sudanese SPLA Leader
Tells Qadhafi of Support for Egyptian-Libyan Initiative",
News Article by Voice of Africa (Tripoli), 28 October 1999
November 1999 The
American publication Middle East Intelligence Bulletin,
commenting on US support for the rebel SPLA and US Secretary
of State Madeleine Albright's discussions with SPLA leader
John Garang, reports:
"There are growing
indications that Washington is now backing the establishment
of an independent state in the south of Sudan. US support
for the opposition in south Sudan, efforts to isolate the
government in Khartoum and diplomatic initiatives to legitimise
the south's secession have all been reinvigorated in recent
months.Last month, US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
met with southern Sudanese rebel commander John Garang in
Nairobi and pledged to increase 'humanitarian aid' to his
Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA).The increase in humanitarian
aid is clearly designed to allow the SPLA to spend more
of its meager funds on military equipment. This will help
make up for a considerable shortfall in support for the
SPLA coming in from neighboring countries. Support for the
group by Ethiopia and Eritrea has tapered off somewhat since
the outbreak of war between the two countries, while Uganda
the most pro-SPLA country in the region, is deeply embroiled
in the Congo conflict and has fewer resources to spare.
According to unconfirmed
reports obtained by Middle East Intelligence Bulletin,
Albright and Garang discussed SPLA plans to capture the
southern capital of Juba in advance of negotiations with
the Sudanese government.In perhaps the most important [US]
policy shift, Albright announced that future peace negotiations
between Khartoum and the SPLA must be exclusively within
the framework of talks sponsored by IGAD. This is considered
to be a major concession to the SPLA because the IGAD initiative
treats the problem as an ethno-sectarian conflict between
the north and the south of Sudan - a framework that inherently
legitimises the prospect of secession.Due in part to US
encouragement, the SPLA is now unwilling to consider alternative
negotiating frameworks. It has refused even to name a representative
to the opposition delegation that will carry out the negotiations
with Khartoum in accordance with the Egyptian-Libyan [peace]
initiative.
Although US officials have
been unenthusiastic about the Egyptian-Libyan initiative
from the very beginning, Albright had not explicitly rejected
it until her trip to Africa last month.Egyptian officials
are reportedly fuming over this rebuff - prompting one Arabic
newspaper [Al-Sharq al-Awat, 29 October 1999] to
speak of an 'undeclared crisis' in Egyptian-American relations.
During his recent visit to Cairo, the US special envoy for
Sudan, Harry Johnston, was denied a meeting with [Egyptian
President] Mubarak."
"US Steps Up Support
for South Sudanese Resistance", Middle East Intelligence
Bulletin, 1(11), November 1999
4 November 1999 A
new rebel organisation, the Upper Nile Provisional
Military Command Council is established in Waat, central
Upper Nile, by the South Sudan Defense Force, the SPLA,
and the South Sudan Unity Army, to "[unify] all the
military forces in central, eastern and western Upper Nile".
"A New Military Command
Structure for Greater Upper Nile Region", Waat, Sudan,
31 January 2000 at http://members.tripod.com/SudanInfonet/UMCC.htm
17 November 1999 Arab
League Secretary-General Esmat Abdel-Meguid sends messages
to Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Djiboutan President
and current IGAD President Ismail Omer Guelleh, Organisation
of African Unity chief Salem Ahmed Salem, and Arab League
assistant Secretary-General Ahmad Bin Hali, calling on them
to support the peace efforts in Sudan. He reiterates the
necessity of preserving Sudan's unity and territorial integrity
and rejects foreign interference in its internal affairs.
"Arab League Urges
African Support for Peace Efforts on Sudan", News Article
by XINHUA, 17 November 1999
17 November 1999 Hundred
of people flee to Uganda from Southern Sudan to escape factional
in-fighting between members of the SPLA. UN High Commission
for Refugees UNHCR spokeswoman Tomoko Nini reports that
250 refugees have arrived at the Kakoma refugee camp in
Kenya. This follows a similar influx of 500 refugees in
May, also fleeing similar SPLA in-fighting.
"Hundreds Flee Rebel
Infighting in South Sudan", News Article by Reuters,
17 November 1999
18 November 1999 It
is announced that President Omer al-Bashir will meet former
Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi to discuss ways of setting
up "reconciliation efforts".
"Sudan President to
Meet Opposition Leader - Newspaper", News Article by
Associated Press, 18 November 1999
19 November 1999 SPLA
leader John Garang attempts to persuade Umma Party leader
Sadiq al-Mahdi from meeting Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir.
NDA spokesman Yassir Arman states that: "A meeting
[with Bashir] will put a split in the NDA. It's not the
end, but it [would be] the beginning of the end of Umma
being a part of the NDA."
"Sudan's Opposition
Alliance Said to be Threatened With Split", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 19 November 1999
20 November 1999 Sudanese
President Omer al-Bashir states that Umma Party leader Sadiq
al-Mahdi has failed to show up at their planned meeting
in Addis Ababa. He states: "I have agreed to meet Sadiq
el-Mahdi but he has not come for the meeting.No arrangement
has yet been made for another appointment."
Bashir also states that
his two-day state visit to Ethiopia was successful and that
Sudanese-Ethiopian relations "have now fully returned
to normal".
"Top Sudanese Opposition
Figure Fails to Show Up for Meeting: Bashir", News
Article by Agence France Presse, 20 November 1999
22 November 1999 During
a visit to Saudi Arabia Sudanese Vice-President Ali Osman
Taha says there are no plans to hold peace talks in Saudi
Arabia, although the Sudanese government was in favour of
holding peace talks in an Arab country after proper preparations.
He says: "Until now, we have not presented the Saudi
government with an official request to host a meeting and
dialogue concerning Sudan .There are unofficial contacts
with the Saudi government, but not from official sides."
Saudi Defence Minister Prince Sultan had earlier revealed
that Saudi Arabia had been approached by one Sudanese party
to host peace talks in the holy city of Mecca, and he had
stated that the kingdom would "not prevent anyone from
coming to the holy places to perform their religious obligations
and resolve their disputes".
"Sudan Says No Talks
With Opposition in Saudi", News Article by Reuters
, 22 November 1999
22 November 1999 Sudanese
President Omer al-Bashir issues decree scrapping laws against
opposition groups. He orders the release of any remaining
political detainees in Sudan, the return of confiscated
properties to opposition leaders, and the lifting of travel
bans and of freezes on their bank accounts.
"Sudanese President
Meets With Opposition Leader", News Article by Associated
Press, 22 November 1999
23 November 1999 In
an official commentary issued by Steven Wondu, the SPLM-SPLA
Representative for the United States and Canada, the SPLA
declares that the Sudanese Government "would not go
for a just negotiated settlement". It accuses Khartoum
of planning to invade other African countries by creating
"a bridgehead for a future thrust into central and
eastern Africa", and of covertly creating "weapons
of mass destruction". It further argues that the IGAD
peace process would only make progress if "a significant
disturbance of the military balance" occurs - that
is to say, if the SPLA makes significant military advances.
Steven Wondu, "Commentary:
Sudan War - Not IGAD's Fault", Sudan People's Liberation
Movement, 23 November, 1999
23 November 1999 Osama
al-Baz, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's political advisor,
says that there is little the USA can do to upset the Egyptian-Libyan
peace initiative: He states: "Nobody can halt it because
it is going in line with the general interests.No American
blessing is requested, no American approval is requested,
no American intervention is requested.if the US is still
opposing [the peace initiative].this will not be of any
importance to us." He further states that US ability
to influence events "is far less than ours.The countries
concerned with this matter are the Sudan, Egypt and Libya.and
then the neighbouring African countries".
"Egypt Says US Cannot
Halt Its Peace Initiative in Sudan", News Article by
Associated Press, 23 November 1999
25 November 1999 Sudanese
President Omer al-Bashir leaves for Djibouti to attend the
IGAD conference, scheduled to discuss joint economic projects
as well as the situations in Sudan and Somalia. He also
meets there with former Prime Minister and Umma Party leader
Sadiq al-Mahdi.
"Bashir Flies to Djibouti
for IGAD Summit", News Article by Agence France Presse,
25 November 1999; "Sudanese President Meets With Opposition
Leader", News Article by Associated Press, 25 November
1999
26 November 1999 Following
Sudanese President Bashir's meeting with Umma leader Sadiq
al-Mahdi the Sudanese government signs a three-page "declaration
of principles for a comprehensive political solution"
with the Umma Party which include the establishment of "a
democratic pluralist government and federal, presidential
system", "a fair division of power and wealth",
"respect for international human-rights convention"
and further talks on extending democracy. It declares that
"citizenship is the base for rights and obligations"
and affirms "the rejection of any privilege which would
be granted to a community for religious, ethnic or cultural
reasons". Sudanese foreign relations are to be based
on "the principles of international cooperation and
the safeguarding of security and international peace".
Djibouti President Ismail Omer Guelleh welcomes the agreement.
He says: "We are pleased that they have met and have
spoken at this forum.For what has happened here today we
congratulate the people of Sudan."
Yassir Arman, SPLA spokesman,
states that he "regretted" al-Mahdi's peace moves
which were, he alleged, made without any consultation with
the NDA. He says: "The Umma Party must decide in which
ship it wants to sail its journey, with the government or
with the NDA."
Faruq Abu Issa of the National
Democratic Alliance also condemns the agreement. He says:
"As the NDA we were not consulted on this agreement.
We had absolutely no knowledge of it at all, so we are not
party to it". He criticises the "obscure terms"
in the accord, declaring that "It just talks about
citizenship and this is not enough . What is in this agreement
will not stop the war, it will escalate it."
"Sudan Peace Deal Struck",
News Article by BBC News, 26 November 1999; "Sudan
Government, Opposition Agree to Talks at Summit", News
Article by Reuters, 27 November 1999; "Sudan Groups
Condemn Bashir-Mahdi Agreement", News Article by Reuters,
27 November 1999; "Djibouti Accord with Sudan Commits
Opposition's Umma Party Only", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 27 November 1999
27 November 1999 Sudanese
Culture and Information Minister Dr Ghazi Saleheddin Atabani
declares the agreement with the Umma Party to be "a
very important step towards the achievement of national
accord in Sudan.What was good was not only the signing of
these principles, but also the good spirit that reigned
and the good will on both sides". He also emphasised
that the agreement supports other existing peace initiatives
and does not come at their expense.
"Sudan Government Spokesman
Says Accord Will Isolate No-One", News Article by Associated
Press, 27 November 1999
28 November 1999 In
spite of the NDA's attack on the government's peace accord
with the Umma Party, Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir urges
NDA Chairman and Democratic Unionist Party leader Mohammed
Osman al-Mirghani to meet with him for further peace talks.
"Bashir Urges Further
Opposition Meetings as NDA Denounces Peace Deal", News
Article by Agence France Presse, 28 November 1999
29 November 1999 Egyptian
Foreign Minister Amr Moussa states that the Sudan government-Umma
Party peace accord is unacceptable in its present form.
He says: "There are some points which do not conform
to what has been discussed on more than one occasion between
us and Sadiq al-Mahdi, and with the Foreign Minister of
Sudan . It requires explanation and cannot be accepted as
it is."
"Egypt Says Bashir-Mahdi
Deal on Sudan Unacceptable", News Article by Reuters,
29 November 1999
29 November 1999 Sudanese
Foreign Minister Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail announce that he
will be travelling to Germany and France to discuss economic
ties, Sudan's peace process and revived talks with the European
Union.
"Sudanese FM to Visit
Germany, France", News Article by Agence France Presse,
29 November 1999
29 November 1999 US
President Clinton states his intention to sign a bill permitting
the administration to give food assistance directly to anti-government
rebels in Sudan. The plan is designed by its advocates in
the State Department and the National Security Council to
strengthen the military operations of the rebel SPLA and
to isolate the Sudanese government.
John Prendergast, of the
National Security Council, states: "This is so forces
can eat more easily and resupply forces in food-deficit
areas.[It is hoped that the food will allow the rebels]
to stay in position or expand positions in places where
it is difficult to maintain a logistical line." White
House spokesman Joe Lockhart also states: "We've worked
very hard to try to end the fighting [in Sudan]. We believe
that the Sudanese government should be isolated because
of their support of terrorism, because of their efforts
to destabilise the region."
The plan is criticised,
however, by both humanitarian groups and other members of
the administration for contravening the long-held principle
of neutrality in food assistance during conflicts. Julia
Taft, Assistant Secretary of State for refugees and humanitarian
assistance, states: "This is a departure from the way
we should be using food aid." Oxfam America's Peggy
Connolly also states that Oxfam opposes turning food aid
into a political weapon: "Food should be used to feed
people. We would support promoting negotiation rather than
backing one side in an extremely complex conflict."
And a spokesman for the
World Food Programme expresses concern that American plans
will disrupt the existing non-partisan aid programme - Operation
Lifeline Sudan, set up by UNICEF and 35 other NGOs.
"US May Give Food to
Sudan Insurgents", by Jane Perlez, News Article by
New York Times, 29 November 1999; "Clinton Gets Stick
to Beat Sudan, May Not Use It", News Article by Reuters,
30 November 1999; "WFP Worried About US Food Aid Project
for Southern Sudanese Rebels", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 30 November 1999; "UN Agency Concerned
Over US Food Support for Sudan Rebels", News Article
by Associated Press, 30 November 1999; "UN and US Clash
Over Sudan", BBC News, 30 November 1999; "UN Criticises
'Partisan' Food Aid to Sudan", by UN Correspondent
Mark Davenport, News Article by BBC News, 30 November 1999
29 November 1999 US
State Department spokesman James Rubin criticises the peace
agreement between the Sudanese government and the opposition
Umma Party in Djibouti. He claims that is merely indicative
of Sudan's intransigence as it: "[D]id not address
the main concern that we've all had [concerning] Sudan's
crackdown on human rights, its deliberate policies of deprivation,
and its refusal to approach peace seriously . If the Sudanese
government were serious about pursuing a peace agreement,
they would try to engage through the work of our special
envoy and several others who have made themselves available
to help".
"Washington Criticises
Sudan Government, Debates Food Aid to Rebels", by Matthew
Lee, News Article by Agence France Presse, 29 November 1999
30 November 1999 The
SPLA issues an official statement comprehensively rejecting
the Djibouti agreement. The Statement says:
"As far as the SPLM/SPLA
is concerned, this is a bilateral agreement between the
Umma Party and the NIF. Neither the SPLM/SPLA nor the National
Democratic Alliance NDA were consulted. The SPLM/SPLA therefore
dissociates itself from this agreement and has nothing to
do with it.As for the.agreement itself, there is nothing
substantive or new in it that can possibly contribute to
a just and peaceful resolution of the Sudan conflict Its
so-called principles are not different from those contained
in the April 1997 so-called Khartoum Peace Agreement signed
between the NIF and its Southern Sudanese allies.[which]
has not brought peace to the country and has in fact collapsed
due to its inadequacies and lack of seriousness to resolve
the country.the so called Djibouti 'Call of the Nation'
is another gimmick similar to [this] and it will surely
suffer the same fate.By their action the Leadership of the
Umma Party has literally dismissed themselves from the NDA
and joined the NIF regime. In this regard the SPLM/SPLA
calls upon the Umma Party and its cadres to reconsider their
position and continue with he NDA instead of going on board
the sinking ship of the NIF regime.[T]he SPLM/SPLA would
like to serve notice and state in unambiguous terms that
the Movement will not be a party to any so-called 'national
conference' or 'national reconciliation conference', which
is being called for by the NIF/Umma alliance as stated in
the Djibouti agreement. However, we advocate reconciliation
processes among the Sudanese people, but not reconciliation
with the NIF Government, which continues to terrorise and
destroy the country. The SPLM/SPLA totally rejects and dismisses
the Djibouti so-called 'Call of the Nation' as an ill-conceived
public relations stunt, a non-starter, and worse still a
futile attempt by the NIF to use the Umma Party to mobilise
for war."
"SPLM/SPLA Position
on the Bashir-Sadiq Agreement", Dr Samson L. Kwaje,
SPLA Spokesman, Nairobi; "Sudan's SPLA Says Bashir-Mahdi
Deal a 'Gimmick'", News Article by Reuters, 30 November
1999
2 December 1999 Eight
US-based humanitarian organisations working in Sudan send
a letter to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright expressing
strong opposition to the US government's plans for overt
aid to Sudanese rebels. Such a step, they state, "could
damage the reputations of American non-governmental agencies
which act as implementing partners in the distribution of
humanitarian assistance and could restrict their access
to populations in dire need.[Such backing is a] most unwelcome
departure from the policies and practices of successive
administrations".
The aid agencies state that:
"Food aid [to rebel forces] will put not only humanitarian
aid workers at risk but also jeopardise vulnerable people
in need." The Washington-based organisation CARE also
specifically states that such a move "would set a terrible
precedent" and the London-based Amnesty International
declares that: "Giving food aid directly to the rebels
would be fuelling the war rather than putting pressure on
both sides to end it. It would be an escalation."
A UN official is also quoted
as stating that during Albright's meetings with SPLA leader
John Garang she "made a deal with Garang about more
help in return for SPLA improving their human rights record,
but Albright did not put pressure on Garang to conclude
a peace". Aid organisation critics are also quoted as stating
that: "It is insane to think that Garang [leader of
the rebel SPLA] is the saviour of the south. Garang will
either sell the food, give it to some of his friends, or
deny it to people he doesn't like".
"US Urged Not to Provide
Food Aid to Sudanese Rebels", News Article by Associated
Press, 2 December 1999; Gunnar Willum & Bjorn Willum,
"US Plan to Feed Sudan Rebels Rapped. Aid Groups Foresee
Prolonged War", The Boston Globe, 6 December
1999
2 December 1999 It
is reported that Sudanese opposition factions are trying
to resolve their differences. NDA spokesman Faruq Abu Issa
states that the DUP and Umma parties had met in Cairo to
smooth over their differences in preparation for the forthcoming
NDA conference in Kampala. DUP Secretary-General Abdel Rahman
Sheila states this his party was concerned with both the
unity of Sudan and of the NDA, and of the "strategic
relationship" with the Umma Party. The unity of the
NDA in general and the DUP-Umma relationship in particular
"are a factor of stability in Sudan", he explains.
And the Kampala conference will discuss all questions relating
to a comprehensive peaceful solution "in the context
of the unity of the alliance".
Ibrahim al-Amin, an Umma
Party member of the NDA joint committee states that well-wishing
mediators - whom he did not identify - "have removed
most of the misunderstandings that accompanied the signing
of the [Djibouti] agreement . The situation has now changed
completely, and those who bet on the disintegration of the
unity of the opposition will lose the bet and their wishes
will fail".
"Sudan Opposition Factions
Try to Resolve Disagreements", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 2 December 1999
2 December 1999 Contradictory
statements regarding the Djibouti accord are made by opposition
spokesmen. Umma Party foreign relations officer, Najeib
Abdel-Wahab, states that the Democratic Unionist Party was
looking more favourably on the Djibouti accord following
a meeting with Umma Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi. "The
NDA's two major parties, Umma and DUP, are now with the
Djibouti process", he says. Umma Party Ibrahim al-Amin,
a member of the NDA joint committee, also states that the
two parties "have reached common ground for overcoming
their disagreements over the Djibouti accord".
However, DUP spokesman Abdel
Rahman Sheila, states: "The Djibouti deal involves
Umma and Bashir. We are not involved." But NDA Spokesman
Faruq Abu Issa states that the DUP and Umma had smoothed
over their differences in preparation for the forthcoming
meeting in Kampala.
A local SPLA military commander
in the south of Sudan states that each group in the NDA
worked towards its own objectives: "We were enemies
before. We are allies now, and we may be enemies tomorrow",
he says.
"Sudan Opposition Party
Denies Endorsing Peace Deal", News Article by Reuters,
2 December 1999; "Sudan Opposition Factions Try to
Resolve Disagreements", News Article by Agence France
Presse, 2 December 1999
2 December 1999 Nine
political prisoners are released in compliance with the
30 November decision by the Peace and Reconciliation Committee.
The Committee also announces the return of confiscated property
and assets of leading opponents, including Umma Party leader
Sadiq al-Mahdi and Democratic Unionist Party leader Mohammed
Osman al-Mirghani. Presidential political and legal advisor
Abdel Basit Sabdrat also announces that other political
prisoners would be pardoned in coming weeks. The Sudanese
National Council also announces its backing for and welcome
of the Djibouti agreement. Several parliamentary members
call on the government to accelerate the steps in order
to reach a comprehensive solution.
"Sudan Releases Nine
Political Prisoners", News Article by Agence France
Presse, 2 December 1999; "Sudanese National Council
Backs Djibouti Agreement", News Article by ArabicNews.com,
3 December 1999
2 December 1999 Lieutenant-General
Abdul Rahman, spokesman for the National Democratic Alliance's
united military leadership, claims responsibility for the
blowing up of an oil pipeline in eastern Sudan. He says:
"[A] special unit from the national coalition of al-Baija
conference blasted the incoming oil pipeline in Dahnet area
to the west of Swaken city. This operation is made to assure
once again the determination of the NDA to eliminate the
regime of the Islamic front by peaceful or warlike means,
rather than reconciliation, bargaining or partitioning the
authority with it."
The NDA unanimously rejects
the 25 November agreement between the Sudanese government
and the Umma Party as "a flagrant violation" of
NDA charters. They further suspend NDA Secretary-General
Mubarak al-Fadel al-Mahdi who signed the document on Umma's
behalf.
"Sudanese Opposition
Coalition Claims Responsibility for Blasting Oil Pipeline",
News Article by ArabicNews.com, 2 December, 1999; "Hostile
Homelands", Africa Confidential (London), Vol.
40, No. 24, 3 December 1999.
2 December 1999 The
Heads of State and Government of IGAD issue a statement
setting out their agreement on a number of issues. Regarding
the Sudanese peace process they report:
"The Heads of state and Government
expressed their appreciation to H. E. President Arap Moi
for the lead role he continues to play for peace in the
Sudan. They reiterated that the Declaration of Principles
continue to provide an effective and just basis for resolving
the crisis in the Sudan, particularly for national
reconciliation which would pave the way for bringing to
an end the conflict in the South.
"The Heads of State
and Government expressed the preparedness of IGAD to co-operate
with all those with keen interest to contribute to national
reconciliation in Sudan based on the principles expounded
in the DOP and already accepted by the two parties in the
IGAD process. The IGAD initiative is an African initiative
and should remain so."
"Declaration of the 7th IGAD
Summit of Heads of States and Government", Djibouti,
26 November 1999
