3 January 2000 At
a press conference in Canada Sudanese Minister of Culture
and Information Dr Ghazi Saleheddin Atabani reviews recent
progress in Sudan, including the constitution of 1998 which
"provides for a pluralistic region system, in which
all basic freedoms are guaranteed. There is freedom of expression,
freedom of association, rule of law and the system of checks
and balances in government and parliament . [and] guarantees
[of] cultural and religious rights of the different minorities".
He emphasises that "Sincere efforts are now underway
to achieve national reconciliation with opposition elements
in coordination with some neighbouring countries. the government
since it came to power in 1989 has made peace its top priority".
"Interviews: Canadian
Press Conference Call With Dr. Ghazi Salahu-Din; Sudan Minister
of Culture and Information and Other Four Top Officials.",
Embassy of the Republic of Sudan, Ottawa, Canada, 13 January
2000
4 January 2000 During
a visit of the Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and
Libyan Foreign Minister Omar al-Muntaser to Khartoum, al-Muntaser
declares that the NDA's "reservations" over the
"Libya-Egypt peace initiative" were due to "foreign"
influence.
Gill Lusk, "Sudan:
Opposition Unimpressed", Middle East International,
14 January 2000.
5 January 2000 Save
the Children President Charles F. MacCormack adds its voice
to those of other relief agencies criticising the Clinton
administration's policy on Sudan as one-sided in its hostility
toward the Khartoum government and insufficiently committed
to promoting peace in Sudan.
The Washington Post
reveals that the aid groups are arguing that Washington's
focus "has blinded it to possible openings to Khartoum,
as well as to the manifest faults of the SPLA. They say
that the US view has led to decisions like the August 1998
bombing of a Khartoum pharmaceutical plant on what is now
widely questioned evidence that it was involved in chemical
weapons manufacture. And it has given outsize influence
to those who see the long ethnic and territorial war in
Sudan, Africa's largest country in area, as primarily a
religious battle between the Islamic north and the Christian
south".
Karen De Young, "An
Uncharitable Dispute: Relief Organisations Want US Government
to Moderate Hard-Line Stance on Sudan", The Washington
Post, 5 January 2000
12 January 2000 The
Sudan People's Liberation Army issues an ultimatum to the
39 humanitarian aid agencies active within SPLA-controlled
areas of southern Sudan. The SPLA demanded that all these
NGOs sign an SPLA-drafted 'Memorandum of Understanding'
strictly controlling their activities and dictating their
relationship with the SPLA's 'humanitarian' wing, the Sudan
Relief and Rehabilitation Association (SRRA), or leave southern
Sudan by 1 March.
The SPLA Memorandum included,
amongst other contentious items, demands that SPLA permission
had to be sought before any NGO interaction with local communities;
SPLA control over the distribution of humanitarian assistance;
a requirement to work "in accordance with SRRA objectives"
rather than solely humanitarian principles; SPLA control
of whom NGOs could employ as local Sudanese staff; the payment
of "security fees" and a swath of additional taxes
and charges, including charges for the landing of aircraft
carrying humanitarian aid and for NGO movement within SPLA-held
areas; that the SPLA would be entitled to use NGO transport
on certain occasions; and that aid agencies submit their
budgets to the SPLA for approval. The SPLA also stipulated
that any NGO "assets and supplies" would have
to be left to them should there be any "interruption"
in the NGO's work, which the SPLA reserves the right to
order. In previous attempts to negotiate aspects of this
memorandum with the NGOs, the SPLA had specifically refused
a provision that would have discouraged the diversion of
aid for military purposes.
The SPLA stated that those
NGOs that failed to sign the document by 1 March would cease
to be the security responsibility of the SPLA. Those NGOS
were also told that their organisations and staff would
be considered a "military security problem" and
would be "dealt with accordingly".
'Seven Aid Agencies Urge
Renewed Negotiations for Relief to Southern Sudan', News
Article by Associated Press, 1 March, 2000; 'Sudan: Focus
on NGO Pullout from SPLM', UN IRIN, Nairobi, 29 February,
2000.
17 January 2000 The
fifth round of IGAD peace negotiations start in the
Kenyan capital of Nairobi.
"Sudan Peace Talks
Start in Earnest", News Article by Reuters, 18 January
2000
19 January 2000 The
Arab League's Assistant Secretary-General for Arab affairs,
Ahmad Bin Hali, states after a meeting with the Eritrean
Ambassador to Egypt in Cairo, that he has informed Eritrea
of the League's desire to preserve Sudan's territorial integrity
and of the importance of continuous efforts to achieve peace
and national reconciliation in Sudan. He further states
that the League believes that the IGAD and Libyan-Egyptian
initiatives should be integrated in order to achieve reconciliation
in Sudan.
Bin Hali further states
that the question of Sudan and its latest developments will
be debated during the next meeting of the Arab foreign ministers
council of 12 March, with the objective of uniting Arab
stances towards the Sudanese question and to assert the
Arab stand in backing Sudan against foreign conspiratorial
schemes against it.
"Arab League Wants
to Maintain Sudan's Security and Unity", News Article
by ArabicNews, 19 January 2000
19 January 2000 In
a goodwill gesture aimed at national reconciliation the
Sudanese government announces that it will return to opposition
members properties which had earlier been confiscated.
"Sudan to Return Confiscated
Properties of Opponents", News Article by XINHUA, 19
January 2000
20 January 2000 Umma
Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi states that the United States
government is moving in a "positive direction"
after "trying to limit" the peace process between
Khartoum and the southern rebels. He states that the US
"has now come to accept the development of the IGAD
and coordination between IGAD and the Egyptian-Libyan initiative".
"US More Open to Egyptian-Libyan
Peace Initiative for Sudan: Opposition", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 20 January 2000
20 January 2000 Opposition
leader Mohammed Osman al-Mirghani, leader of the Democratic
Unionist Party and also Chairman of the National Democratic
Alliance, states that he hopes to return from exile in Saudi
Arabia to Sudan "very soon". Following the ousting
of Islamist leader Dr Hassan al-Turabi from the Khartoum
government the DUP had expressed growing hopes about possible
reconciliation with Khartoum.
"Opposition Leader
Hopes to Return to Sudan Soon", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 20 January 2000
22 January 2000 The
land route between Sudan and Eritrea is officially opened
by representatives of the Sudanese and Eritrean governments
as part of the improving relations between the two countries.
"Khartoum Says Sudan-Eritrea
Land Route Opened", News Article by Reuters, 22 January
2000
24 January 2000 Following
a reported reconciliation between Sudanese President Omer
al-Bashir and followers of the ousted Hassan al-Turabi,
Democratic Unionist Party representative Mohammed Hakern
states that the party reserves the right to continue using
"military action and a popular rising to overthrow
the regime".
"Opposition Renews
Threats to Overthrow Sudan Government", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 24 January 2000
27 January 2000 The
IGAD peace talks between the Sudanese government and the
SPLA in Nairobi are reported as deadlocked. SPLA spokesman
Samson Kwaje states: "There was no breakthrough on
the issue (of the separation of religion and the state)."
Kwaje states that the SPLA had agreed to exclude two areas
of the north - the Nuba Mountains and the Southern Blue
Nile - from the proposed self-determination referendum,
but that the war would continue until these areas were also
granted greater freedoms.
However, Dr Nafie Ali Nafie,
leader of the Sudanese government's negotiating team, states
that the talks were "very dynamic.the most dynamic
meeting because the delegations discussed issues in detail".
He added that the SPLA, unlike in the past, were showing
flexibility on the subject of the state and religion. The
two sides agreed to another round of talks on 21 February.
Mohammed Khaled, "'Dynamic'
Talks on South Sudan", Al-Ahran, 27 January-2
February, 2000; "Sudan Peace Talks Adjourned for One
Month", News Article by Reuters, 20 January 2000
31 January 2000 Dr
Riek Machar, the former rebel leader who in 1997 had, together
with six rebel factions, signed a peace agreement with the
Sudan government, becoming the president of the Southern
Coordination Council, tenders his resignation to President
Omer al-Bashir. Machar accuses the Sudanese government of
not honouring the terms of its agreement with the former
rebels. He also states that he has resigned from his post
as Chairman of the United Democratic Salvation Front party.
"Machar Quits in Setback
for Sudan Peace Process", News Article by DPA, 5 February
2000
31 January 2000 Following
the setting up earlier, in November 1999, by the South Sudan
Defense Force, the SPLA, and the South Sudan Unity Army,
of the Upper Nile Provisional Military Command Council in
Waat, central Upper Nile, the South Sudan Liberation Movement
is formed. It states that it "was formed and begins
its existence in Upper Nile Region to politically mobilise
the people, who have been neutralised and removed from the
war of liberation since 1991, and commit them to participate
effectively in the war of liberation alongside their compatriots
in other parts of South Sudan . The SSLM shall pursue two
methods of struggle to achieve the right of the people of
Southern Sudan to self-determination: The peaceful resolution
of the conflict through a negotiated settlement through
the IGAD peace process, and through the armed struggle."
"Press Announcement:
South Sudan Liberation Movement", Dr Wal Duany, Chairman,
Interim Executive Committee, South Sudan Liberation Movement,
Waat, Sudan, 31 January 2000
4 February 2000 Norwegian
Minister of International Development and Human Rights,
Mrs Hilde Frajford, a member of the IGAD peace initiative,
states that both sides appear to be prepared to negotiate
seriously. She says: "There's war fatigue on both sides.
There's definitely an understanding that a military solution
cannot be found by either side."
"Norwegian Official
Says Sudan Serious About Peace Negotiations", News
Article by Associated Press, 4 February 2000
7 February 2000 The
SPLA issues the text of SPLA leader John Garang's letter
of 21 January in reply to Sadiq al-Mahdi's letter of 22
December. Garang claims that "all evidence points to
that your so-called Comprehensive Political Settlement is
a euphemism for reconciliation with the NIF regime, and
from the position in which you are today . would be tantamount
to surrender".
"Dr John Garang's Letter
to Mr. Sadiq al-Mahdi", at Sudanese@list.msu.edu, 7
February 2000
14 February 2000 Sudanese
President Omer al-Bashir emphasises the depth of the bilateral
relations between Egypt and Sudan, that consultations on
all matters are proceeding, and that disputes between the
two states have ended for good.
"El-Bashir Emphases
Depth of Relations Between Cairo and Khartoum", News
Article by ArabicNews, 14 February 2000
14 February 2000 The
SPLA, in an apparent change of policy, announces that it
was ready to consider cooperation with the Egyptian-Libyan
peace initiative. Mansour Khalid, an advisor to SPLA leader
John Garang, states: "The position of John Garang is
clearly in favour of the Egyptian-Libyan initiative on condition
that there is coordination with that of the IGAD."
However, Khalid, who is
also responsible for foreign relations for the umbrella
group NDA, also added that: "We are not talking about
a national reconciliation conference, but about dialogue
between the opposition and the government because there
are no other parties".
"Sudanese Rebel SPLA
Warms to Egypt-Libya Peace Initiative", News Article
by Agence France Press, 14 February 2000
14 February 2000 The
Sudanese government issues a Press Release via its Embassy
in Canada "warmly welcom[ing]" Canada diplomatic
presence in Canada, and its "constructive engagement"
in Sudan's peace process, and the visit of Senator Lois
Wilson as an envoy to the IGAD peace talks.
The Sudanese government
also expresses its appreciation of Canadian support for
the Committee of for the Eradication of the Abduction of
Women and Children and emphasised its support for the visit
in December 1999 of Canadian envoy John Harker to assess
allegations of human rights abuses in Sudan. It reiterated
that: "Mr. Harker accomplished his mission in the Sudan
without hindrance. He met whomever he wanted to meet and
visited every location he wanted to visit."
Abd Elghani E. Awad El Karin,
Charge d'Affaires, "Press Release: Sudan Welcomes Canada's
Support in the Sudan", Embassy of Sudan, Ottawa, Canada,
14 February 2000
16 February 2000 Canadian
Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy dismisses charges that he
was being soft on Sudan after he stated on the previous
Monday that he would not impose sanctions on either Sudan
or Talisman Energy, the Canadian oil firm involved in Sudan.
Axworthy states:
"Frankly I think some
[people] have taken their eye off what the real objective
is, which is to bring an end to the conflict and an end
to the human rights abuses.That's what we're interested
in doing, not punishing one person or another . it's much
more important to maintain a presence in Sudan rather than
pull people out.When we go to the Security Council we'll
have an opportunity to get further into the peace process
and we may want to provide support for enhancing that process
and supporting the solution to the conflict.The question
isn't Talisman's role - the question is how do you get peace
in a conflict which has gone on for decades in Sudan, how
do you get proper attention paid to human rights abuses?"
"Beleaguered Axworthy
Vows to Push for Sudan Peace", News Article by Reuters,
16 February 2000
16 February 2000 Sudanese
first Vice-President Ali Osman Taha states that the question
of separating religion from the state can be debated without
provoking the division of Sudan. He says: "We know
the issue of separating religion from the state will not
be a reason for dividing us...We can discuss this question
and reach a solution." He also states that Sudan is
heading toward a democratic multiparty system and political
freedoms - a process which was not due to "foreign
pressures" but were rather "a part of a devolution"
of the current government. He affirms that: "The government's
drive for peace and national reconciliation is not a manoeuvre."
Opposition spokesmen for
the Democratic Unionist Party, the National Alliance for
Restoration of Democracy (NARD) and the Union of the Sudanese
African Parties all welcome his remarks as "a new pragmatic
and realistic attitude". DUP official Taj al-Sirr Mohammed
Salih states that the remarks help build confidence between
the opposition and the government while paving the way for
a peace conference. He says: "It is a boost to the
camp that believes that there is room to all citizens in
a Sudan that is free of a single party's hegemony and fanaticism
. Every person has his own party and belief but we should
get together as Sudanese to agree on the country's supreme
interests, through dialogue, rather than coercion."
NARD Chairman Ghazi Suleiman
said the statement is in line with the policies of the European
Union and the IGAD Partners Forum. He adds: "It heralds
the achievement of peace in Sudan in the coming months."
"Sudan's Islamist Government
Open to Debate State-Religion Separation", News Article
by Agence France Press, 16 February 2000; "Opposition
Sees New Chances for Peace With Sudanese Government",
News Article by Agence France Press, 17 February 2000
18 February 2000 The
Sudanese government decides to amend its controversial political
associations law to allow for political parties to be registered
more easily. A meeting of the peace-and-reconciliation ministerial
committee chaired by President Omer al-Bashir approves amendments
making it easier to set up new political parties. The old
law is to be rescinded, except for two articles calling
for abstention from violence in politics and stipulating
that a party's finances be from domestic resources and subject
to audit.
"Sudan to Amend Law
on Creating Political Parties", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 18 February 2000
18 February 2000 SPLA/M
spokesman Dr Samson Kwaje states that "the issue of
separation of religion and state has been the main point
of deadlock [in peace negotiations], but we will try to
resolve it when the political committee talks [of IGAD]
resume on Monday".
"Deadlocked Sudan Peace
Talks to Resume Monday", News Article by Agence France
Press, 18 February 2000
18 February 2000 US
Department of State Deputy Spokesman James B. Foley comments
on the SPLA's ultimatum to expel relief organisations in
areas under its control that do not sign a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with it. He states:
"The US Special Envoy
for Sudan Harry Johnston, along with the UN Special Envoy
for Humanitarian Issues in Sudan Ambassador Tom Vraalsen,
met with the SPLM leadership in Nairobi, Kenya, on February
17 to offer direct US and other donor assistance to facilitate
resolution of the outstanding points of the disagreement,
to request a suspension of the deadline while negotiations
are ongoing, and to request that no NGO be expelled. They
also met with NGOs and urged them to be flexible in the
event that negotiations resume.
The United States Government
is willing to work with other donors, the NGOs, and the
SPLM to facilitate achievement of an agreement acceptable
to all parties. The United States believes that a quick
resolution of the MOU issue is desirable, but one that is
negotiated in good faith by all parties. Any expulsion of
NGOs, or confiscation of assets, would seriously jeopardise
humanitarian operations, exacerbating further the human
suffering in southern Sudan."
"Press Statement by
James B. Foley, Deputy Spokesman, 18 February 2000, US Department
of State, Office of the Spokesman, Washington, DC, 18 February
2000
19 February 2000 It
is announced that Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman
Ismail is to visit Egypt to discuss the results of Sudanese
President Omer al-Bashir's tour of the Gulf states and of
Egyptian foreign minister Amr Moussa's talks with Sudanese
opposition leaders.
"Sudan Minister to
Visit Egypt, Discuss Civil War", News Article by Reuters,
19 February 2000
20 February 2000 Former
Sudanese opposition figure Gamar Hassan al-Tahir resigns
from the opposition and returns home. He states that many
others in the opposition were calling for a reconsideration
of its positions and decisions, specially those that were
hampering the peace progress. Many splits and disagreements
were emerging in opposition ranks, he argues. He concludes
his statement by calling on the Khartoum government to speed
up its efforts to normalise Sudanese relations with neighbouring
countries and to encourage the opposition to return home.
"Defector From Opposition
Side Explains Reasons Behind is Return to the Homeland",
News Article by SUNA, 20 February 2000
21 February 2000 The
IGAD peace negotiations resume in Nairobi. In a statement
the rebel SPLA declare that alleged daily bombardment of
many areas of the rebel-held south did not create "a
conducive atmosphere for the talks" SPLA spokesman
Samson Kwaje also states that the talks will focus on two
issues - separation of religion and state and the right
of self-determination for the south.
"Focus - Sudan Peace
Talks Resume Amidst Mistrust", News Article by Reuters,
21 February 2000
21 February 2000 Umma
Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi states that contacts are being
conducted by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry to hold a four-day
meeting in Cairo of Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir, NDA
leader Muhammad Osman al-Mirghani, SPLA leader John Garang,
and the Umma Party leader. He declares that the anticipated
meeting would be held with the participation of Egypt and
Libya to prepare for a dialogue conference, improve the
atmosphere, and help the expanded forthcoming conference
which will discuss all the outstanding issues to attain
its goal. He further states that the Sudanese government
is seeking a comprehensive solution to the crisis and describes
Garang and the SPLA position toward the Egyptian-Libyan
dialogue as vague. He urges Garang to take a clear-cut,
frank position and declare that he would support peace.
Mahdi also says that Garang
had been accused of using the war as a profitable industry
and that Garang had returned from his visit to the USA in
July of last year more determined to reject the Egyptian-Libyan
initiative and willing to kill it due to temptations and
promises made to him in Washington.
"Umma Party Leader
Says Egypt to Host Meeting of Parties to Sudanese 'Crisis'",
Al-Arabal-Yawm (Amman), 21 February 2000, p. 1
21 February 2000 In
a response to Sudanese first Vice-President Ali Osman Taha's
statement that the government was willing to discuss the
issue of the separation of religion from the state, Sudanese
Islamic leader Hassan al-Turabi brands the idea as "atheism".
"Turabi Insists Islam,
Sudan State Bonded, Before Peace Talks", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 21 February 2000
22 February 2000 Sudanese
Vice-President General George Kongor affirms the government's
keenness to set up basic infrastructures and to provide
stability and peace in the southern states. He also calls
for accelerating the implementation of the emergency plan
for the south, and the provision of the necessary financing.
"Vice President Affirms
Government Keenness to Set Up Infrastructural Projects in
the south", News Article by SUNA, 22 February 2000
23 February 2000 Sudanese
Minister of State for Justice Amin Benani Nio announces
that the 1998 Political Associations Law has "officially
been cancelled and will be substituted by the Political
Parties and Associations Law" which is "characterised
by flexibility" and "gives the political forces
more freedom for practising their political activities".
The new law, he adds:
"[I]s fully in line
with the requirements of the reconciliation and the Egyptian-Libyan
[peace] bid.This step as well as previous and following
ones underscores the government's willingness to pave the
way for dialogue."
"Sudan to Ease Restrictions
on Political Parties With New Law", News Article by
Agence France Press, 23 February 2000
23 February 2000 Tom
Vraalsen, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General
for Humanitarian Affairs for the Sudan sends an official
letter to concerned NGOs and governments regarding his meeting
with SPLA leader John Garang about the SPLA's attempt to
impose their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) upon humanitarian
organisations. He writes:
"Much to our disappointment,
the meeting with the SPLM leadership did not result in a
lifting of the deadline or a revision of any aspects of
the MOU.It is therefore my duty to inform you that the deadline
imposed by by the SRRA for NGOs to sign the 19th
August version of the MOU remains in force. We have been
notified by the SRRA that personnel of NGOs that do not
sign must evacuate the SPLM-held areas by the 29th
of February. I regret very much this turn of events.The
United Nations will undertake the evacuation of NGO personnel
from locations in the field and will support NGOs who wish
to establish programmes in areas outside of SPLM territory.
OLS will continue to support the membership of expelled
NGOs in the OLS Consortium and advocate the right of the
people of southern Sudan to receive humanitarian assistance".
"Letter: Sudan - NGO
Memorandum of Understanding", Tom Vraalsen, Special
Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Humanitarian
Affairs for the Sudan, United Nations, Washington, DC, 23
February 2000
23 February 2000 All
the NGOs in the OLS consortium, including those who did
sign the Memorandum, declared in a joint statement to the
SRRA that "the decision to sign or not sign is made
under duress, with grave implications for continuing humanitarian
support to the people of south Sudan".
'Humanitarian Agencies Call on SRRA to Reopen
Negotiations', Statement by Oxfam, 1 March 2000.
26 February 2000 Sudanese
Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail holds talks with Egypt's
President Hosni Mubarak to further the Libyan-Egyptian peace
initiative. Ismail declares: "[President al-Bashir]
affirmed to President Mubarak the position of the Sudanese
government in support of holding the conference.The Sudanese
government has no pre-conditions on the time or the place
or the subjects that will be discussed".
Ismail further states that
Egypt was trying to dispel the reservations of SPLA leader
John Garang on the Egyptian-Libyan initiative: "Egypt
is making efforts with Garang and I think Egypt has succeeded
in dissipating Garang's doubts".
"Sudan Says Ready for
Peace Conference", News Article by Reuters, 26 February
2000
28 February 2000 Disagreement
over what constitutes southern Sudan derails the latest
round of IGAD peace talks. Dr Nafie Ali Nafie, the peace
adviser to Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir, states:
"The parties jointly
affirmed the right of self-determination of the people of
south Sudan, as of the borders of 1 January 1956. However,
the SPLM/A contended that the right of self-determination
shall be extended to include also Abyei are in the northern
state of Western Kordofan and two northern states of Southern
Kordofan and Southern Blue Nile. The government of Sudan
had flatly rejected the contention as being totally irrelevant
once it had been established by the parties that those territories
are not part of southern Sudan""
The SPLA issues a press statement accusing
Dr Nafie of "wrecking the talks", asserting vehemently
that "the territory and people of Abyei are part and
parcel of Bahr El Ghazal Region of Southern Sudan",
and stating that "The positions of the two parties
in regards to constitutional separation of state and religion
have remained irreconcilable".
"Latest Round of
talks on Southern Sudan War Ends in Deadlock", News Article
by Associated Press, 28 February 2000; "Press Release",
Dr Samson L. Kwaje, SPLA Spokesman, Nairobi, 28 February 2000
