29 February 2000 The
European Commission issues a statement on humanitarian assistance
to southern Sudan which states that: "The European
Commission condemns the explicit threat made by the Sudan
People's Liberation Army (SPLA) to the safety of humanitarian
agencies who do not sign the Memorandum of Understanding
between NGOs and the Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Agency
(SRRA) before March 1st. Such a threat is completely
unacceptable and the Commission calls for this ultimatum
to be lifted. The Commission considers the ability of humanitarian
agencies to deliver humanitarian assistance in a neutral,
independent and secure framework as being of utmost importance.However,
the forced evacuation of non-signatory NGOs under threat
to their lives from SPLA areas is considered as a serious
breach of international humanitarian law which jeopardises
the delivery of assistance in line with internationally
recognised principles. The responsibility for this situation
must rest with the SPLA."
"European Commission
Statement on Southern Sudan", 29 February 2000
1 March 2000 Eleven
international humanitarian aid agencies felt themselves
unable to remain active in southern Sudan under the conditions
demanded of them by the SPLA. The United Nations Office
for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed
that 149 staff members of non-governmental organisations
working under the umbrella of Operation Lifeline Sudan had
been evacuated from areas of southern Sudan controlled by
the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA). The eleven non-governmental
organisations in question, groups such as CARE, Oxfam, Medecins
sans Frontieres, Medecins du Monde, Save the Children, World
Vision International, Healthnet, Veterinaires sans Frontieres
(Belgium and Germany), and the Carter Center, handled about
75 percent of the humanitarian aid entering southern Sudan.
The withdrawal of these NGOS directly affects US$ 40 million
worth of aid programs. The expelled aid agencies stated
that one million southern Sudanese were at risk as a result
of the SPLA's decision to expel the NGOs.
'OLS Evacuates NGO Staff
from Southern Sudan', United Nations Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs, Geneva, 1 March, 2000; 'Rights
Group Urges More Talks on Sudan Relief', News Article by
Associated Press, 8 March, 2000; 'Seven Aid Agencies Urge
Renewed Negotiations for Relief to Southern Sudan', Associated
Press, 1 March, 2000; 'Expelled Aid Agencies Say Million
at Risk in Sudan', Reuters, 1 March, 2000.
1 March 2000 Commenting
on the SPLA's expulsion of humanitarian NGOs from southern
Sudan, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs stated that it: "[R]epresents
the temporary loss of a significant proportion of the humanitarian
resources provided by OLS NGOs. This has created a void
in the OLS consortium's ability to provide adequate humanitarian
assistance to the people of southern Sudan, already made
vulnerable by decades of war and deprivation.Emergency response,
health, nutrition, household food security, and water and
sanitation programmes will be hardest hit."
'OLS Evacuates NGO Staff
from Southern Sudan', United Nations Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs, Geneva, 1 March, 2000.
1 March 2000 Umma
Party President Sadiq al-Mahdi, in a long public letter
to SPLA leader John Garang, responds to Garang's recent
communications and statements about the Umma Party and its
negotiations with the government of Sudan.
Al-Mahdi accuses Garang
of "attempt[ing] to demonise the Umma Party" and
of having "provided.an agenda of false accusations
and disinformation, which are easily and authentically refutable".
He also points to the "great embarrassment" caused
by the SPLA's repeated brutal human rights abuses, condemned
by many external observers and UN resolutions, and to Garang's
"disregard and despis[ing] [of] the voters and peoples'
will" - evidence that makes a joke of his professions
to seek a "New Sudan". Al-Mahdi further points
to Garang's refusal to accommodate himself to the "new
realities" emerging in Sudan and in changes of political
agenda by the Sudanese government - and instead of targeting
the Umma a Party more than the Sudanese government itself.
He further argues that Garang is "treating the IGAD
encounters as a public relations forum to declare [his]
war aims and is taking a hypocritical position over issues
of religion in Sudanese politics. Whilst publicly declaring
for a total separation of church and state Garang in actuality
speaks of the New Sudan Council of Churches as "the
spiritual wing of [his] movement".
Al-Mahdi concludes by appealing
to Garang to accommodate himself to a "Comprehensive
Political Agreement to end the war, make Peace, build Democracy"
- at a time when: "The opportunity for this win-win
position for the cause of our peoples is so huge".
Sadiq Al Mahdi, "Letter
to Dr. John Garang, Chairman SPLM, Commander-in-Chief SPLA",
1 March 2000
2 March 2000 The
Sudanese government warns the opposition that it will organise
general elections without opposition participation if the
opposition does not respond soon to government reconciliation
initiatives. Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail accuses
the opposition of "procrastination and evasion",
and states that: "The government will not remain patient
forever and will only await the outcome of a forthcoming
meeting of the opposition in Asmara".
He further states that if
the NDA fails to respond to the Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative
"the government will not wait any longer and will go
ahead in conducting free and fair elections.[the government]
prefers reaching agreement through a dialogue forum [with
the opposition] so that all parties will participate in
the peace process.The ball is now in the court of the opposition".
"Sudan Warns Opposition
Against Government Impatience", News Article by Agence
France Press, 2 March 2000; "Sudanese Government Remains
Committed to Elections", News Article by XINHUA, 3
March 2000
2 March 2000 Sudanese
Justice Minister Ali Mohammed Osman Yassin states that:
"The Egyptian support for Sudan has reflected on improving
its relations with the neighbour countries and the Arab
ones, and Egypt seeks to reform Sudan's relations with the
USA."
"Sudanese Justice Minister:
Egyptian Support Contributed to Improving Our Relations
With Neighbours", News Article by ArabicNews.com, 2
March 2000
3 March 2001 Sudanese
Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail warns the Sudanese
opposition against deception towards the Egyptian-Libyan
peace initiative. He states that the Sudanese government
has responded to all requests proposed by the opposition
in the hope of convening a pan-Sudanese conference for a
comprehensive dialogue.
"Khartoum Calls on
Opposition to Define its Position Toward National Reconciliation",
News Article by ArabicNews.Com, 3 March 2000
4 March 2000 Sudanese
opposition Democratic Unionist Party leaders at a meeting
at Al Masoudiyah near Khartoum rule out any cooperation
with the current Sudanese government. DUP deputy Secretary-General
Sidahmed al-Hussein states that: "We will never reconcile
with the NIF government which has ruined the country",
whilst senior DUP member Ali Mahmoud Hassanain declares
that: "We will not be satisfied with amendments to
laws the government has enacted . We will never recognise
the NIF laws and constitution".
"Sudanese Opposition
Rules Out Any Deals With Islamist Regime", News Article
by Agence France Press, 4 March 2000
7 March 2000 Officials
of the Sudanese opposition umbrella group, the National
Democratic Alliance, arrive in Asmara to attend a leadership
meeting. SPLA leader John Garang is expected to attend.
"Sudanese Opposition
Leaders in Asmara for Leadership Council Meeting",
News Article by Agence France Press, 7 March 2000
8 March 2000 Mohammed
al-Hassan Abdalla Yassin, a leader of the opposition Democratic
Unionist Party returns to Khartoum in "response to
the call for accord" made by the government. He is
greeted at Khartoum Airport by Justice Minister Ali Mohammed
Osman Yassin and presidential adviser Abdel Basit Sabdrat.
"Former Members of
Sudan Presidency Returns Home", News Article by Reuters,
8 March 2000
8 March 2000 Mansour
Khalid, political adviser to SPLA leader John Garang, states
that he has officially informed IGAD's envoy ambassador
Mboya of demands to add Democratic National Alliance to
the IGAD negotiation team. Khalid also states that Sudanese
government proposal for changing laws do not achieve an
adequate atmosphere to start any talks with the government.
"Garang's Advisor:
We Demand Joining the National Assembly to the Negotiation
Team", News Article by ArabicNews.com, 8 March 2000
10 March 2000 The
opposition umbrella group the National Democratic Alliance
holds a meeting of representatives in Asmara, Eritrea. Discussions
centre largely on the peace overtures made by the Sudanese
government and the significance of the split between Sudanese
President Omer al-Bashir and Hassan al-Turabi.
Sadiq al-Mahdi, leader of
the Umma Party, reiterates his view that the time is right
for national reconciliation talks between the government
and opposition forces and to embrace the Egyptian-Libyan
peace initiative.
SPLA leader John Garang
rejects calls for negotiations via the Egyptian-Libyan peace
initiative and calls for a thorough shake-up of the opposition
alliance, as its current organisation was paralysing its
decision-making structure. Garang further claims that political
trends in the Sudanese government will not lead to more
democracy as many believed but would fuel conflict as "as
each faction tries to prove it is more committed to an Islamic
state".
Garang states that the "NDA
must.intensify the struggle in all its forms and at all
levels" and claims that the Sudanese government is
"more belligerent and intransigent", and that
"unless military pressure is stepped up and sustained
by the NDA, Khartoum will not accept the inevitability of
political change in the direction of justice". Garang
further argues that "the option of a negotiated peaceful
settlement should . be seen in its proper context, and not
in isolation from the other forms of struggle" specifically
"Intifada [Popular Uprising]" and "the armed
struggle". He calls for the NDA to pledge "financial
resources to support the forces of [armed uprising]".
He also states that "if some of us cave in to pressure
from Khartoum to be co-opted into the regime, then they
must be dismissed from the NDA".
"Garang Calls for Sudanese
Opposition Reform", News Article by Agence France Press,
10 March 2000; "John Garang's Address to the Opening
Session of NDA Meeting", Asmara, 10 March 2000; "Al-Bashir's
Enemies in Disarray", by Gamal Nkrumah, Al-Ahram
Weekly, No. 473, 16-22 March 2000
11 March 2000 A
committee of the Sudanese cabinet approves the new Bill
replacing the old Political Associations law, and allowing
opposition parties to operate in Sudan. Information Minister
Dr Ghazi Saleheddin Atabani states that: "The new law
is aimed at allowing all political parties to practise their
political activities in public and peacefully."
"Government Close to
Approving Political Reforms", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 11 March 2000; "Sudan Passes Law Allowing
Formation of Political Parties", News Article by Associated
Press, 12 March 2000
14 March 2000 At
the NDA meeting at Asmara Umma Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi
"[called] on the NDA to take note of the changes in
Khartoum and move towards reconciling with the regime so
they can work within the process for democracy". Other
NDA members were reportedly angry, with one stating that:
"They will fight. People were angry. They were cocking
their guns to fire at Sadiq al-Mahdi".
Pagan Amum, one of the SPLA
commanders states: "There is divergence. Two trends
have cropped up. One side, led by Umma [Party], is arguing
that the recent developments in Sudan are an opportunity
to reconcile with factions within the NIF.The rest of the
NDA sees the crisis within the NIF as a challenge to step
up the struggle to oust the NIF."
SPLA leader John Garang
states that he believes that the NDA will agree to his proposed
organisational shake-up. He reaffirms his view that: "It
is time to increase he pressure on [the Sudanese government].It
is a totalitarian system and it can only be removed through
pressure . The NIF is undemocratic by nature. It cannot
possibly reform or be removed. "
Garang also argues that
the IGAD and Egyptian-Libyan peace negotiations should be
"coordinate[d].amalgamated so we only have one track
for negotiations".
"Rift in Sudanese Opposition
Group Threatens to Become Major Gulf", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 14 March 2000; "Sudan's Opposition
Split Over Dealing With Post-Turabi Khartoum", News
Article by Agence France Presse, 14 March 2000; "Sudan
Rebel Leader Believes Opposition Alliance Will Agree Shake
Up", News Article by Agence France Press, 14 March
2000
15 March 2000 Egypt's
new Ambassador in Khartoum, Mohammed Asim Ibrahim, states
that Egypt objects to the call for self-determination of
southern Sudan, which could lead to Sudan's disintegration.
"Sudan is our shield, and we are not involved in any
internal conflicts in Sudan", he added.
"Egypt to Keep Policy
of Supporting Unity of Sudan", News Article by XINHUA,
15 March 2000
16 March 2000 Following
the introduction of a motion at the NDA Asmara meeting to
suspend its membership the Umma Party resigns from the organisation.
Omar Nour al-Diem, the Umma Party's Secretary-General states:
"The Umma Party quit because we thought these people
were not serious.The others are against Umma because Umma
is for political settlement. The NDA is doing nothing, they
are unaware of the changes in the region and they are not
for negotiations.Umma suspended its membership because it
feels now is the time to go inside and cooperate with the
government in Khartoum."
An NDA spokesman states
that: "We can now vigorously pursue forcing fundamental
changes in our country and use all means at our disposal,
including negotiated settlements, armed struggle, popular
uprising and diplomatic pressure. We are now more energetic
and less compromising for divisions in power."
"Sudan's Influential
Umma Party Quits Opposition", News Article by Agence
France Press, 16 March 2000
16 March 2000 The
NDA's founding Secretary-General, Mubarak al-Mahdi resigns
his position and issues a press release in which he attacks:
"The [pursuit] of personal
ambition and party agenda on part of some members in contradiction
to the NDA collective interest and the national interest
. The inaptitude of the NDA chairman and his strife to monopolise
the political and executive work of the NDA in violation
of his mandate . the complete paralysis of the NDA work
. The failure of the leadership council to agree on a political
settlement to the conflict to the conflict in the Sudan
and the failure of the NDA leadership council to address
the new political development and employ them in the struggle
to achieve the national goals . The failure of the NDA to
honour its commitment toward the joint Libyan-Egyptian initiative
. The refusal to convene the second NDA congress by the
chairman for the last four years to avoid accountability
and restructuring of the NDA."
Mubarak al- Mahdi, Press
Release, National Democratic Alliance, Asmara, Eritrea,
3 March 2000
17 March 2000 Sudanese
Culture and Information Minister Dr Ghazi Saleheddin Atabani
describes the departure of the Umma Party from the NDA as
an "important development which is hoped to push forward
the national dialogue endeavours rather than hindering them".
He also predicts that the SPLA "planned to subjugate
the [other NDA] factions to its will and use them for its
purposes, a matter which made it inevitable for those who
wanted to retain their credibility to break away from the
National Alliance".
"Sudan Government/Alliance",
News Article by SUNA, 17 March 2000l "Government Pleased
With Umma Withdrawal From NDA", News Article by Agence
France Press, 18 March 2000
17 March 2000
SPLA and other opposition forces seize the eastern
town of Hamoshkorib, near the Eritrean border
20 March 2000 SPLA
leader John Garang states that: "The Sudan People's
Liberation Movement, the political wing of the Sudan People's
Liberation Army will immediately begin political activities
in the public sphere in Khartoum, whether the government
agrees or not." He describes the move as "a new
method of political action, following the example set by
the Palestinian movement Hamas and Sin Fein, the political
wing of the Irish Republican Army . We are a patriotic Sudanese
movement, that is why we have the right to have political
activity in our capital, like Hamas and Sinn Fein".
"Sudanese Rebel Group
to Enter Khartoum Politics", News Article by Agence
France Press, 20 March 2000
20 March 2000 Sudanese
Interior Minister General Abdel-Rahim Hussein states that
the government welcomes the Umma Party's departure from
the NDA. "We consider it a positive move", he
says, but denies that any secret agreement between the government
and the Umma Party had been made. Foreign Minister Mustafa
Ismail states that: "The ceasefire declaration by the
Umma Party is a positive step that comes in line with the
principles and attitudes that ultimately lead to a peaceful
solution to the Sudan problems."
"Sudan Government Welcomes
Rift in Opposition Alliance", News Article by Associated
Press, 20 March 2000; "Sudan Government Welcomes Opposition
Party Ceasefire"; News Article by Agence France Press
21 March 2000
20 March 2000 SPLA
leader John Garang accuses the Umma Party of betraying rebel
military positions to the Government of Sudan.
"Sudan Government
Welcomes Opposition Party Ceasefire"; News Article
by Agence France Press, 21 March 2000
20 March 2000 Umma
Party President Sadiq al-Mahdi issues a formal Umma Party
Statement regarding its current political position and views.
He reaffirms that:
"We think that conditions
for a comprehensive political agreement in Sudan are ripe.We
think that our neighbours who are greatly interested in
peace and stability in the Sudan will support us in the
bid for a comprehensive political agreement, so will the
International Community. The iron is hot. We should move
to shape it to fulfil the National Agenda. We believe this
will force itself upon all including the hawks within both
sides of the equation.We appeal to the parties, which now
constitute the (NDA-EX) [NDA Ex-Patriate Organisation] to
review their positions to accommodate reality."
Al-Mahdi also responds to
SPLA leader John Garang's claims that the Umma Party was
cooperating with Sudanese government military attacks upon
the opposition. He declares:
"This is a very unfortunate
statement, but it falls within Garang's characteristic attitudes
of crying wolf, wolf and sustaining a position of negativism
and intransigence.His accusations are calculated to fan
flames to keep tempers high in order to find continuous
support for his intransigence. His irresponsible statement
could fan fuels and between troops lead to loss of innocent
blood.Garang's statement to fan fires between ourselves
and (NDA-EX) parties is a poorly conceived piece of misinformation."
Al-Mahdi further protests
Garang's public statement that he would finance NDA internal
efforts to foment an uprising within Sudan. He sees it as
a "direct incrimination for them given freely to the
[Sudanese] security authorities.again his unfounded statement
could lead to blood shed between combatants. If so, who
benefits from that?" Al-Mahdi concludes with a further
plea for renewed peace efforts: "The situation in Sudan
is ripe for change, I appeal to our IGAD neighbours, our
joint initiative neighbours to move to create new realities
beneficial to the peoples of Sudan."
Sadiq al-Mahdi, "Umma
Party Press Statement", 20 March 2000
21 March 2000 Foreign
Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail responds to SPLA leader John
Garang's statement that the SPLA intended to operate politically
within Sudan, stating that Garang could not enjoy this right
of political freedom whilst still fighting. He declares:
"Garang cannot pursue violence and peaceful means at
the same time.[Garang] has to choose between war which he
is now pursuing and peace which we are pursuing as a way
for the stability of Sudan."
"Sudan Government Welcomes
Opposition Party Ceasefire"; News Article by Agence
France Press, 21 March 2000
22 March 2000 Umma
Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi visits Libya to discuss the
peace process with the Libyan government.
"Kaddafi Hosts Sudanese
Opposition Party Chairman", News Article by Pan Arab
News Agency, 22 March 2000
23 March 2000 The
Umma Party states that it does not seek a bilateral or partial
solution with the Sudanese government but only a collective
discussion conference through the Egyptian-Libyan initiative
convened with the participation of all effective political
forces in Sudan, including the southern rebels.
"Umma Party Leadership
Heads to Khartoum", News Article by ArabicNews.com,
23 March 2000
23 March 2000 The
European Commission approves the 2000 Global Plan for Sudan,
which earmarks 11 million Euros for humanitarian aid in
Sudan over the next nine months. However, it makes clear
that the projects destined for rebel-held areas "can
only be carried out once the conditions for delivery of
humanitarian assistance as required by international humanitarian
principles are fulfilled", that is, the withdrawal
of the SPLA's expulsion of NGOS which refused to sign its
'Memorandum of Understanding'. The Commission reaffirms
its earlier demands that "the SPLM/SRRA to resume negotiations
with the objective of creating conditions that will allow
NGOs to carry out humanitarian operations unhindered and
in accordance with international humanitarian law".
"Sudan: Commission
Conditions Approval of 11 Million Euro Humanitarian Aid
on Guarantee of Access to Rebel-Held Areas", European
Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) , IP/00/292, 23 March
2000
23 March 2000 Cairo-based
Umma Party spokesman Hassan Ahmed al-Hassan states that:
"The Umma Party will not seek a bilateral or partial
solution with the [Sudanese] government." He also states
that Party might form a "democratic front for peace"
with non-government groups and southern parties, which "will
seek a comprehensive political settlement and will be pen
for all parties".
Hassan adds that Umma Party
militia forces have announced a unilateral cease-fire, and
that some Umma politicians - but not party leader Sadiq
al-Mahdi - would return to Khartoum in the next few weeks
to resume political work.
"Sudan Opposition Party
Says No Deal With Khartoum", News Article by Reuters,
23 March 2000
25 March 2000 Mubarak
al Fadel al-Mahdi, the former Secretary-General of the NDA,
states that certain elements with in NDA "are obviously
and clearly against any peaceful settlement for the conflict
in the country". Another senior aide to al-Mahdi says
that "Colonel John Garang believes in the bullet and
his SPLA is carrying the gun".
The PANA also reports rumours
that Garang and the SPLA "is preparing, with the help
of Uganda, for an offensive in southern Sudan".
"Mahdi's Withdrawal
Dents Opposition Alliance", News Article by PANA, 25
March 2000
25 March 2000 It
is reported that Umma Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi is having
discussions with other rebel leaders including ex-communist
Al Haji Warraq, a member of the dissident faction of the
Sudanese Communist Party, and Nuer leader Riek Machar, and
Bona Malwal, a Dinka leader who has been living in exile
in Great Britain since 1989.
"Sudan: Sadiq al- Mahdi
Seeks Allies", The Indian Ocean Newsletter (Paris),
25 March 2000
26 March 2000 A
five-member team from IGAD, led by Ambassador Daniel Mboya,
Kenyan President Arap Moi's special envoy to Sudan, arrive
in Khartoum to continue peace talks. "The visit comes
within the context of the resumption of the peace talks
between the government and the rebel SPLA which are expected
to start in early April in Nairobi", a spokesman states.
"Delegates Visit Khartoum
for Sudan Peace Talks", News Article by Reuters, 27
March 2000
27 March 2000 Umma
Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi confers with Libyan leader Colonel
Kadhafi regarding the Sudanese peace process. He predicts
an imminent political solution to Sudan's problems, which
can come not from southern self-determination but a political
solution that takes into account cultural diversity. Al-Mahdi
states that: "Those who want or talk about self-determination
are actually venting their dissatisfaction with the current
political situation... Sudan is one single entity from North
to South...Today more than ever we believe in a political
settlement to the crisis.Sudan is a microcosm of Africa
where all the Arab-African diversity of the continent can
be found.A political solution to the Sudanese crisis should
take into account the cultural diversity of the country,
where people with different beliefs, religions, customs
and cultures, live together.To my mind, there should be
peaceful co-existence among the cultures and religions of
Sudan in order for the crisis to be solved.The political
solution projected is actually one that recognises cultural
diversity in Sudan, removes all causes of civil war and
introduces democratic changes in the country."
Al-Mahdi also hints that
the Sudanese government and most leaders in the Sudanese
opposition were now favourable to such a political solution,
which could be negotiated within the framework of the joint
Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative - which "initiative
is the only one open to us".
"Opposition Leader
Predicts Solution to Sudan's Conflict", News Article
by PANA, 27 March 2000; "Sadiq al-Mahdi Holds Talk
With Kadhafi", News Article by PANA, 27 March 2000
28 March 2000 The
Council of the Arab League, meeting in Cairo, issues a resolution
on Sudan. The League's Council:
Voices its objection to
any attempt to break up Sudan;
Denounces any attempt to
encourage separatist trends by extending material and military
aid to the rebels or by imposing no-fly zones;
Denounces the US imposition
of economic sanctions upon Sudan or on companies investing
in the development of Sudan's national resources;
Expresses its appreciation
of the Sudanese government's successful efforts to resolve
its foreign relations;
Commends the progress made
in Sudanese-European dialogue;
Commends the normalising
of Sudan's relations with international financial organisations;
Calls upon countries and
international organisations to cease circulating false accusations
against Sudan and other Arab countries;Calls upon other
countries to refrain from attempting to internationalise
the Sudanese issue by referring it to the UN Security Council;
Calls upon Arab countries
to extend more aid and support to Sudan;
Reiterates its support for
the peace process in Sudan;
Calls for regional efforts
to realise peace in Sudan to be given a chance;
Supports the efforts of
the Sudanese government to achieve national accord;
Supports the Egyptian-Libyan
peace initiative;
"Arab League Reiterates Its Support to
Sudan", News Article by SUNA, 29 March 2000
