29 March 2000 NDA
and Democratic Unionist Party spokesman Mohammed al-Moetasern
declares its support for the joint Egyptian-Libyan peace
initiative and co-ordination between it and the IGAD initiative.
"The Democratic Sudanese
National Alliance Supports the Egyptian-Libyan Initiative",
News Article by ArabicNews.com, 29 March 2000
29 March 2000 The
Sudanese government delegation, led by Presidential adviser
for peace affairs Dr Nafie Ali Nafie, leaves for a new round
of IGAD peace talks in Nairobi scheduled for 3-7 April.
"Sudanese Government
Delegation to Head for New Talks With SPLA", News Article
by Agence France Press, 29 March 2000
29 March 2000 The
Umma Party is given back its Omdurman head offices (originally
confiscated in the 1989 coup d'etat) by Sudanese government
officials in a public ceremony. Siddiq al-Mahdi (son of
Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi) states that his party would
"immediately resume political activities", and
that a number of other senior Umma Party officials would
return to Sudan in the coming week.
"Sudanese Opposition
Party Gets Its Offices Back", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 29 March 2000
30 March 2000 The
New Sudan Council of Churches announces that the previously
postponed Nilotic People-to-People Conference has been re-scheduled
for 8-14 May, a peace initiative approved of by the SPLA.
Dr Harun L. Runn, Executive
Secretary, New Sudan Council of Churches, "Postponement
of Nilotic People to People Conference", email announcement
posted to Sudanese@list.msu.edu, 30 March 2000
2 April 2000 In
the SPLA's opening statement at the IGAD peace negotiations
in Nairobi Colonel Nhial Deng, leader of the SPLA/SPLM delegation
states that: "We.doubt the commitment of the government
of Sudan to the peace process and the seriousness of its
commitment to resolve the conflict."
He further accuses the Sudanese
government of attempting to "rewrite history and distort
facts" with regard to the SPLA's demand that Abyei
territory be defined as part of the south. He also accuses
the Government of lying by allegedly claiming that a breakthrough
had taken place over the issue of religion and the state,
protests at alleged government "routine bombing of
civilian targets all over Southern Sudan", and calls
upon the "international community particularly the
United Nations Security Council to declare the New Sudan
a No-fly zone for [Government] aircraft".
Colonel Nhial Deng Nhial,
Chairman of SPLM/SPLA Delegation, "SPLM/SPLA Opening
Statement - Third Political Committee Meeting on Peace in
the Sudan", posted to Sudan-L@listserv.cc.emory.edu,
3 April 2000
2 April 2000 Following
lengthy talks with Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir in
Cairo, Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi expresses his hope
that peace negotiations would go ahead and reach an acceptable
conclusion. Al- Bashir expresses his confidence in President
Moi's leadership of the IGAD peace initiate and both Presidents
agreed that other parallel initiatives or forms of external
interference in the peace process were unhelpful.
"Kenya Hopes to Push
Forward Peace Negotiations in Sudan", News Article
by XINHUA, 3 April 2000
2 April 2000 The
IGAD peace negotiations continue in Nairobi. However, the
SPLA intensifies fighting in eastern areas of Sudan, including
its own attack on the strategic Kassala Airport, The SPLA
claims to have destroyed ammunition and fuel depots and
an Antonov bomber used for troop movements, and to have
seized smaller garrison towns in the area. The SPLA also
claims that government forces "are getting ready to
attack our position".
"Sudan Government,
Rebels in New Round of Talks", News Article by Reuters,
3 April 2000
2 April 2000 Sudanese
President al-Bashir meets in Cairo with former Sudanese
head-of-state Ahmed al-Mirgani, currently with the opposition,
and states that the meeting "concentrated on uniting
the Sudanese people and ending internal disagreements".
The meeting was initiated by al-Mirghani, who issues a statement
describing the meeting as cordial and fruitful. Al-Mirghani
further calls upon the opposition to halt military action
and calls for a peaceful dialogue to end the conflict.
"Egypt, Libya Meet
to Discuss Sudan's Civil War", News Article by Associated
Press, 4 April 2000; "President Al-Bashir Meets Ahmed
Al-Mirghani in Cairo", News Article by SUNA, 4 April
2000; "Sudan's al-Bashir Calls for Peaceful Solution",
News Article by Reuters, 4 April 2000
2 April 2000 During
a joint summit in Cairo of 14 European Union members and
52 African countries, the leaders of Egypt, Libya and Sudan
meet to discuss ways of ending Sudan's civil war. Kenyan
Foreign Minister Boyane Godana rebuffed Egyptian and Libyan
attempts to meet with him and IGAD officials.
"Egypt, Libya Meet
to Discuss Sudan's civil War", News Article by Associated
Press, 4 April 2000
4 April 2000 Sudanese
Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail affirms that Sudan
will push forward all efforts that would contribute to achieving
rapport and a peaceful solution, whether they are by the
Umma Party or any other faction. He also states that he
does not exclude the possibility of forming a transitional
government with the Umma Party in order push forward efforts
for a peaceful exchange of power.
"Sudanese Foreign Minister:
I Do Not Exclude Forming Transitional Government with Umma
Party", News Article by ArabicNews.com, 4 April 2000
4 April 2000 The
Umma Party announces that a high level delegation, including
Mubarak al-Fadel al-Mahdi (the party's number two) and Abdel
Rassul Nur (a member of its political bureau) and Secretary-General
Omar Nur al-Diem, will be flying to Khartoum, this week.
"High-Level Sudanese
Opposition Delegation Bound for Khartoum", News Article
by Agence France Press, 4 April 2000
5 April 2000
Following his talks with the Egyptian and Libyan leaders
Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir declares that: "We
agreed to accelerate the reconciliation process and stated
our commitment to the Egyptian-Libyan initiative and our
will to settle all Sudan's problem's through this initiative.We
were agreed completely on the need to complete efforts at
reconciliation in Sudan."
"Sudan Raises Hope
of Increased Reconciliation Efforts", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 5 April 2000
6 April 2000 Thousands
of Umma Party supporters welcome returning party leaders
and members - headed by Umma Party Secretary General Omar
Nour al-Diem - at Khartoum Airport. Presidential Adviser
Ibrahim Ahmed Omer, and several members of the ruling National
Congress Party, headed by Dr Ali al-Haj Mohammed, deputy
Secretary-General of the party, formally welcome them.
Umma Party Secretary-General
al-Diem states that "we have come to bring peace and
achieve democracy", whilst Professor Omer declares
that the government was serious about achieving national
accord in Sudan.
"Umma Party Members
Return to Sudan from Exile", News Article by Reuters,
6 April 2000
7 April 2000
Sudanese delegation leader Dr Nafie Ali Nafie announces
that the current round of IGAD peace negotiations in Nairobi
have ended with no agreement on the two key issues discussed.
He states that the SPLA had insisted on making Sudan a confederation
of the northern and southern sections - a position unacceptable
to the government because it amounted to the breaking up
of the country. He states: "They wanted us to discuss
coordination between two separate entities."
"No Agreement at a
New Round of Sudan Peace Talks", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 7 April 2000
7 April 2000 In
a press conference in Cairo Umma Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi,
criticised the NDA coordination committee, denounces the
NDA attacks in east Sudan, and claims that the SPLA is working
to "freeze" the Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative.
Umma Party Press Statement,
7 April 2000 at http://www.alittihad.co.ae/today/for/for09.htm
7 April 2000 The
NDA alleges that 162 government troops were killed when
they launched an attack on opposition forces south of the
eastern town of Kassala, and that two captives, including
a captain, had been taken.
"Sudan Opposition Says
More Than 160 Government Troops Killed in Attack",
News Article by Agence France Press, 7 April 2000
8 April 2000 The
Director of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, Osman Jaafar,
states that some 160,000 persons have been displaced in
the ongoing war in Kassala state in eastern Sudan.
"160,000 Persons Displaced
by Civil War in Eastern Sudan", News Article by DPA,
8 April 2001
9 April 2000
Umma Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi in a speech in
Cairo denounces SPLA leader John Garang's call for Security
Council intervention in Sudan. He further criticises the
NDA for failing to recognise the internal, regional and
international changes which have taken place with regard
to Sudan. He notes that the international community has
changed its previously hostile attitude toward Sudan and
that the problem is now Garang and the SPLA and its "hidden
agenda".
"Sadiq Al-Mahdi/Garang's
Movement", News Article by SUNA, 9 April 2000
9 April 2000 Umma
Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi issues a press release following
his meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa. He
reaffirms the importance of a general conference on the
future of Sudan, and states that the Umma party will play
a significant role in the Egyptian-Libyan peace process
by making contacts with all the involved parties. He further
states that he believes that the US government is reviewing
its Sudan policy in the light of the latest developments
"Mahdi Asserts Importance
of Egyptian-Libyan Efforts to Settle Situation in Sudan",
News Article by SUNA, 9 April 2000
10 April 2000
The Sudanese Cabinet approves a draft bill
to combat terrorist activities, which stipulates that those
convicted of terrorist crimes will be punished by death,
amputation or life imprisonment.
"Sudanese Government
Approves New Law to Combat Terrorism", News Article
by Associated Press, 10 April 2000
11 April 2000
The NDA states that it is committed to both the
Egyptian-Libyan and IGAD peace initiatives - and launches
a vitriolic attack on the government of Sudan, which it
claims does not take peace initiatives seriously. It further
states:
"The National Islamic
Front regime.is insincere in recognising.multiparty democracy.refuses
to dismantle the religious state, seeks to fan the flames
of the war and objects to a just peace.[is] still beating
the drums of war under the Jihad (holy war) banner and sending
students and civil servants to the military operations zones.[and
has not abandoned laws under which] practices of arrest,
summons, torture and closure of newspapers are still going
on."
"Khartoum Still War-Mongering
and Insincere Towards Peace: Opposition", News Article
by Agence France Press, 11 April 2000
12 April 2000 The
Sudanese government re-confiscates the property of a number
of opposition figures, Mansour Khalid (adviser to SPLA leader
John Garang), Abdel Rahama Said (a northern military commander),
and Nemat Medani Abbashar (wife of NDA supporter Farouq
Abu Issa) because of their "backing the attacks on
the land and . supporting the rebel movement in an attack
on the innocent in the east".
"Sudanese Opponents'
Property Confiscated", News Article by Agence France
Press, 12 April 2000 at 07:19:16; "Sudan Re-confiscates
Properly of Opposition Figures", News Article by Reuters,
12 April 2000
14 April 2000 The
Umma Party announces that it has started measures in Sudan
to establish a new political bureau composed of 50 elected
members to lead the party's work in the coming period.
"Sudanese Opposition
Party to Elect Its Political Bureau Members", News
Article by ArabicNews.com, 13 April 2000
13 April 2000 Southern
Sudanese politicians postpone a conference, organised by
Joseph Okelo of the Union of Sudanese African Parties, originally
scheduled for April 24 in Geneva, to discuss whether the
south should secede. The postponement is reportedly made
in order to allow more time to attract broader participation
by politicians both in Sudan and abroad. Okelo states that,
although he was not personally in favour of secession, northerners
must demonstrate before any referendum that they really
want to share the same nation with the southerners.
"South Sudanese Postpone
Conference on Self-Determination", News Article by
Agence France Press, 13 April 2000
18 April 2000
Dr Riek Machar, head of the UDSF, expresses his
support for the Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative. He states
that the Sudanese problem will only be settled when all
parties gather at the conference table to negotiate a peaceful
settlement, and hopes that a merging of the Egyptian-Libyan
and IGAD peace initiatives will help the peace process.
"Marchar Expresses
his Support for Egyptian-Libyan Initiative", News Article
by ArabicNews.com, 18 April 2000
18 April 2000 Malawi
President Bakili Muluzi leaves for a three-day official
visit to Sudan aimed "to encourage the government there
to continue with the democratisation and peace process".
"Muluzi Heads for Sudan
for Peace Talks", News Article by Agence France Press,
18 April 2000
19 April 2000 Sudanese
Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail states that the foreign
ministers of Sudan, Egypt and Libya will meet in Khartoum
in late April or early May to discuss the "acceleration
of the reconciliation process in line with the joint Egyptian-Libyan
initiative".
Ismail further states that
political dialogue was continuing both with other countries
and with Sudanese political forces that "have shown
willingness to accept a political solution to the Sudanese
problem". He adds, however, that there would be no
dialogue with opposition forces involved in the month-long
occupation of the eastern town of Hamoshkorib until the
"Hamoshkorib question is resolved".
"Sudan, Libya and Egypt
to Discuss Peace Plans in Late April or May", News
Article by Agence France Press, 19 April 2000
19 April 2000 The
Sudanese President ordered his air force to halt air raids
within southern Sudan.
20 April 2000 The
SPLA "warns international companies and investors not
to invest in Southern Sudan and other marginalised areas
while the war is still on. By doing so they shall be legitimate
military targets. The SPLA has the capability to strike
at these targets (including personnel and assets) at any
time".
"Press Release: SPLM/SPLA
Strongly Opposes Annexation of Hfrat Al-Nahas to Southern
Dafur State", Dr Samson L. Kwaje, SPLA Spokesman, Nairobi,
20 April 2000
21 April 2000 Various
newspapers report an escalation of the civil war by rebel
forces, and increased fighting in eastern regions.
Dan Connell, "Rebel
Allies Escalate Civil War in Sudan: Islamist Regime Faces
First Insurrection as Guerrilla Groups Join Forces for Offensive",
The Guardian (London), 21 April, 2000
21 April 2000
Sudanese Foreign Minister denies reports that Britain
has offered to mediate in the civil war and invited the
Sudanese Government to meet with the SPLA in London. He
states: "It is true that relations with Britain have
improved but still, we have not received such an invitation."
But he adds that the Sudanese
government did "not harbour any reservations towards
a constructive dialogue with Britain for reaching peace
in Sudan",
"Sudan Denies Receiving
British Mediation Offer", News Article by Agence France
Press, 21 April 2000
22 April 2000 Sudanese
first Vice-President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha states that
presidential and parliamentary elections will be held before
the end of the year.
"Sudan Official Says
Elections by End of Year", News Article by Reuters,
22 April 2000
24 April 2000 Umma
Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi rejects the Sudanese Government's
announced elections, calling on the government not to rush
into elections until a full national agreement is concluded
and a conference of all Sudanese political parties is convened.
Mohammed Osman al-Mirghani, head of the NDA and leader of
the Democratic Unionist Party, also declares that holding
elections ahead of a full political settlement would hinder
national reconciliation and deepen the Sudanese crisis.
"Sudanese Opposition
Rejects President' Bashir's Call on Holding Elections",
News Article by KUNA, 24 April 2000
24 April 2000 Following
a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, Mohammed
Osman al-Mirghani praises the role played by Egyptian President
Hosni Mubarak and Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi in the Sudanese
peace process. He states that the next step in the initiative
should be a conference that gathers all the Sudanese people.
He confirms his own forthcoming return to Sudan.
"Sudanese Opposition
Member Meets With Moussa", News Article by ArabicNews.com,
24 April 2000
25 April 2000 The
Sudanese Communist Party and the Democratic Unionist Party
reject the Sudanese government's plans to hold elections.
Ali Mahmoud Hassanain of the DUP states that the government
is "seeking to only obstruct the process of peaceful
solution to Sudan's problems.We reject the convening of
any elections before holding of the national dialogue conference".
"Two Major Sudanese
Parties Reject Elections Plan", News Article by Associated
Press, 25 April 2000
25 April 2000 Abdel
Moneim al-Zain al-Nahas, head of the Sudanese election commission,
states that foreign observers - including representatives
of the non-partisan Carter Centre, headed by former US President
Jimmy Carter - will be invited to monitor the fairness of
the forthcoming elections.
"Sudan to Invite Foreign
Observers to October Polls", News Article by Reuters,
25 April 2000
26 April 2000 IGAD
Executive Director Atalla Hamad Beshir states that he is
"strongly opposed to raising the problem [of Sudan]"
at the UN Security Council, declaring that such calls were
only used as pressure on the warring parties.
"Sudan: IGAD Opposed
to Security Council Talks on Southern Sudan", Horn
of Africa: IRIN News Brief, United Nations Integrated Regional
Information Network, Nairobi, 26 April 2000
26 April 2000 Egyptian
Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, in a joint press conference
with Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail, expresses
optimism over the Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative. He states:
"A settlement cannot be reached overnight but I can
say the initiative is progressing forward satisfactorily..We
are not dealing with the northern (political opposition)
parties only, and the southerners should be involved in
the reconciliation." He also declares that there "is
no conflict" between the Egyptian-Libyan and IGAD initiatives.
"Egyptian Foreign Minister
Optimistic on Resolving Sudanese Problem", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 27 April 2000
26 April 2000 Sudanese
Foreign Affairs Ministry Under-Secretary Awadel-Kerim Fadlulla
meets with European Union ambassadors and representatives.
He calls on the West to pressure south Sudanese rebels into
accepting a comprehensive cease-fire to end the civil war.
He argues that Sudan had "boosted efforts for peace
and stability" by halting air raids in the south, had
freed political detainees, guaranteed freedom of expression,
lifted the ban on anti-government political parties, and
arranged for a "free and fair" election.
"Sudan Calls for Western
Pressure on Southern Rebels to Accept Ceasefire", News
Article by Agence France Press, 27 April 2000
27 April 2000
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail urges SPLA
leader John Garang to join the Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative
and to "stop vetoing" it within the NDA. He states
that: "The peace process is invisible and will be ineffective
if it is partitioned, the Egyptian-Sudanese initiative dealing
with the entire Sudanese issue, whilst IGAD deals only with
the south Sudan issue."
Ismail also states that
Garang's position will be dealt with at the next meeting
of Egyptian and Libyan diplomats in Khartoum in May. He
further observes that: "Diplomatic, political and economic
ties with the various countries, particularly with the European
Union, have been enhanced . relations with the EU nations
will be restored to normal before the end of this year."
"Sudan Urges Garang
to Accept Peace Initiative", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 27 April 2000
28 April 2000 Steven
Wondu, the SPLA/SPLM representative in the USA, in response
to recent statements by Umma Party leader Sadiq al Mahdi,
re-issues on the internet a 1998 paper, "New Sudan:
Too Good!", originally delivered at the Sudan Studies
Association at the University of Pennsylvania. In it Wondu
concludes that: "The NIF cannot be reformed. Sudan
can only find peace on the tombstone of their government.
The eastern African region will only experience stability
after a change of government in Khartoum. The international
community will only have respite from terrorism after the
regime in Khartoum is uprooted."
Steve Wondu, "Excuse
Me, Sayed el Sadiq el Mahdi!", posted on "Sudan-L@listserv.cc.emory.edu",
28 April 2000
29 April 2000 The
Sudanese Foreign Ministry confirms that the humanitarian
cease-fire that expired on 15 April will be renewed for
another three months, a renewal which it states "stems
from [the government's] desire to realise peace and to deliver
food to all persons in need in Bahr al-Ghazal region".
"Government Renews
Cease-Fire for Another Three Months", News Article
by Associated Press, 29 April 2000
30 April 2000 Taisier
Mohammed Ahmed, President of the Sudanese National Alliance/Sudanese
Alliance Forces (SNF/SAF) Foreign Affairs Secretariat, in
an interview published on the internet, denies that opposition
forces have ever committed atrocities. He also demands that
the government of Sudan be diplomatically isolated and subjected
to international economic sanctions, and that "diplomatic
and material support" should be given to the NDA .
Mark Francois, "D.
Taisier Mohamed Ahmed Answers a Canadian Activist",
posted to Sudanese@list.msu.edu, 30 April 2000
30 April 2000 Sudanese
President Omer al-Bashir returns from a visit to the Nigerian
capital of Abuja and publicly welcomes the Nigerian offer
to resume a mediating role in the resolution of the Sudanese
civil war. He further states that the Sudanese government
was determined to restore peace "no matter where this
would be found".
"Nigeria to Resume
Mediation in Sudanese Conflict", News Article by XINHUA,
30 April 2000
May 2000 Veteran
southern politician Bona Malwal, publisher of Sudan Democratic
Gazette and NDA executive member, publishes a damning
criticism of SPLA leader John Garang. With regard to the
search for peace in Sudan, Malwal stated:
"I have noticed and
revealed the duplicity with which you have participated
in the peace process. Many Southerners have spoken for some
time about the need to arrive at a Southern concensus over
the question of Self-Determination. They recognise the need
to fill the vacuum created by your vague goals for the war
of liberation. After seventeen years of this bloody war
in which two million of our people have perished, the Northern
Sudanese political establishment as a whole has said that
they would negotiate a political agreement with you to work
out the modalities for a referendum on Self-Determination
for the South. Yet, you have personally dodged this issue
- as seen in the way you have briefed your delegations to
the various rounds of the Intergovernmental Authority for
Development (IGAD) peace talks..Perhaps your own tactics
make you blind to this, but there is indeed increasing support
among the Southern Sudanese people for pursuing peace, if
peace is pursued honestly, diligently and in good faith
by the other side. How many more millions of Southern Sudanese
do you want to die to satisfy your ego?
Let me note here two ploys
that you have used to circumvent the peace process. Firstly,
you are using the cause of the peoples of the Nuba Mountains
and the Ingessina Hills as an excuse for failing to negotiate
in good faith for the interests of the South. You tell everyone
that the Nuba and the Ingessina peoples have fought side
by side with the South, which is true, and that negotiating
for Self-Determination of the south will alienate them.
Which is absolutely false!.Your real agenda is to pursue
the unity of the South and North by fighting for an illusive,
unattainable 'New Sudan'. Do you think that fighting to
make you the leader of your 'New Sudan' has been worth the
lives of the two million of our people who have died so
far?.Now that the North is crying our for peace based on
the right of Self-Determination, it is time for the South
to embark on serious negotiations in good faith with the
North. You will not be able to escape the charge already
made repeatedly that you are a warlord who has no interest
in ending this tragic conflict.
With regard to famine conditions in parts
of southern Sudan, Malwal claimed: "In 1998, you deliberately
ignored the deadly famine in Bahr El Ghazal which resulted
in the death by starvation of hundreds of thousands. You
knew that there was food shortage in the province that year
because the rains had failed the previous
season. Your own people compiled the data on that famine.
When you encouraged late Kerubino Kuanyin Bol to attack
Wau Town in January 1998 and you failed to back up that
attack, which eventually collapsed, the National Islamic
Front (NIF) regime suspended all relief flights to Bahr
El Ghazal in retaliation."
Malwal also touched on some of the intra-ethnic
conflict that the SPLA has been party to in Equatoria: "Even
where the SPLA is totally in charge, as in Chukadom in Eastern
Equatoria, you have allowed the situation between the Didinga
people and the SPLA to develop into one of atrocities. You
have abetted this Chukudum situation by your failure to act
and allowed it to degenerate into an intra-tribal conflict
between the Dinka, as represented by those who act as your
agents there, and their hosts, the Didinga community. Examples
of this type of administrative incompetence - indeed of using
our tribes against each other to allow you the freedom to
manipulate and to take advantage of these terrible situations
amongst our people - abound."
