22 June 2000 The
Sudanese government strongly criticises the SPLA's violation
of the cease-fire in Bahr al-Ghazal. It states that this
is proof of the rebel movement's disregard for world opinion.
22 June 2000 Umma
Party spokesman Hassan Ahmed al-Hassan states that Party
militiamen now felt safe to return home to Khartoum. 200
soldiers are reported to have returned to Gadarif state
in eastern Sudan from Ethiopian bases.
"Opposition Militiamen Prepare
to Return to Sudan", News Article by Agence France Presse,
22 June 2000; "200 Sudanese Insurgents Return Home from
Ethiopia", News Article by DPA, 22 June 2000
23 June 2000
Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir states that foreign
interference is delaying peace talks between the government
and southern rebels. He argues that "IGAD partners tried
to use their position to delay the peace process in Sudan.As
for the delay in negotiations with the SPLA, it is because
of regional and international interventions that they do
not want peace in Sudan". Al-Bashir argues that "every round
of negotiations between the government and the [SPLA] is
preceded by an announcement or a decision from Washington
that encourages" SPLA leader John Garang to be stubborn
and oppose reconciliation. Garang was being used "as a curtain
for their war against the government".
He further "[calls] on Egypt
and Libya who lead reconciliation efforts between the government
and the opposition to set a date for a national dialogue".
"Sudan's Bashir Says Interference
Delays Peace", News Article by Reuters, 23 June 2000; "Sudan's
President Says US, Regional Intervention Delaying Peace",
News Article by Associated Press, 23 June 2000
24 June 2000
NDA spokesman Mahgoub al-Tigani states that: "The
NDA is never committed to sit with Bashir and follow-up
his desires and programmes. NDA is fully committed to overthrow
Bashir, prosecute him and his regime, and punish him and
all NIF criminals."
NDA Statement Published
on Sudan-L@listserve.cc.emory.edu, 24 June 2000
24 June 2000 Sudanese
President Omer al-Bashir complains that the West is trying
to push Khartoum to abandon Islamic law as a prelude to
peace, and criticises the recent Oslo meeting of IGAD Partners
Forum for ignoring the Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative.
He states:
"The outcome of the Oslo
meeting was not a surprise to us because we aware of the
special agenda that motivates IGAD partners . From the outset
[IGAD] has put forward only two options - acceptance of
a united secular Sudan or granting the south the right to
self-determination . How come the United States, Britain
and other IPF members be allowed a role in resolving Sudanese
issues while Egypt, Libya and other Arab states be denied
such a role?"
"Bashir Complains West Pushing
for Secular Sudan", News Article by Agence France Presse,
24 June 2000
25 June 2000 The
SPLA claims that it has captured the garrison town of Gogrial
in the Bahr al Ghazal region and incorporated it into the
"family" of "self-determined.New Sudan" . It claims that
it did not initiate the attack but only responded to "unprovoked.looting
and acts of atrocities" of government troops on the civilian
population. It reiterates the SPLA "commitment to the maintenance
of the recent humanitarian cease-fire.but will decisively
act on self-defense as well as in defense of the civil population".
The SPLA further claims that the Sudanese government is
"sponsoring slave and cattle raids as well as disruption
of agricultural production.to drive the civil population
from their land and from the areas of the oil wells. This
amounts to genocide."
"SPLM Press Release: Gogrial
Garrison Town Falls to SPLA", Dr Samson L. Kwaje, SPLA Spokesman,
Nairobi, 25 June, 2000; "Rebels Say They Have Capture Southern
Town of Gogrial", News Article by Associated Press, 25 June
2000
27 June 2000 Former
Sudan Parliamentary Speaker, Dr Hassan al-Turabi, announces
that he is forming a new political party, to be called the
Popular National Congress.
"Turabi Forms New Political
Party, Vows to Challenge Bashir", News Article by PANA,
27 June 2000
28 June 2000 The
US Government calls upon both the government and rebels
to respect the cease-fire in the Bahr al Ghazal region.
The US State Department declares: "The US is concerned that
another crisis of similar proportions [to that of 1998]
could emerge if the current fighting spreads and if access
is denied for humanitarian organisations to deliver emergency
assistance.We strongly urge the SPLM/A and the Government
of Sudan to cease all attacks in Bahr el Ghazal province
and honour their humanitarian commitments."
"US Urges Respect for Cease-Fire
in South Sudan", News Article by Reuters, 28 June 2000
28 June 2000 The
French Ambassador to the United Nations, Jean-David Levitte,
President of the United Nations Security Council, states
that France recognised positive developments within Sudan:
"There are evolutions for the better in Khartoum, and France
is not the only member of the Council to consider that these
positive evolutions should be registered."
'U.S. Delays UN Vote on
Sudan Until After November Poll', News Article by Reuters
on 28 June 2000.
28 June 2000 Over
200 former Umma party soldiers returning to Sudan are formally
met in Khartoum by Umma party Secretary-General Omar Nour
al-Diem.
"Sudan Rebel Fighters Return
to Khartoum in Peace", News Article by Reuters, 28 June
2000
28 June 2000 Forty-eight
Sudanese military men who were imprisoned for crimes against
the state have been freed under the general amnesty granted
by President Omer al-Bashir.
"Sudanese Military Prisoners
Set Free Following Amnesty Paper", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 28 June 2000
29 June 2000 The
Umma Party presents a paper to the Sudanese justice ministry
with proposals for clearly-worded articles in the constitution
safeguarding freedom of political and press activities.
A party spokesman also states that they hoped the proposed
amendments would pave the way for a national reconciliation
conference.
"Sudan Opposition Party
Calls for Freedom Guarantees", News Article by Agence France
Presse, 29 June 2000
29 June 2000 Sudanese
President Omer al-Bashir states that the government has
accepted the Egyptian-Libyan peace and reconciliation initiative
for "national reconstruction by all Sudanese, northerners
and southerners, proponents and opponents".
Al-Bashir further declares:
"We have exerted all efforts for creating an atmosphere
conducive to a national dialogue conference which we have
proposed to discuss peace, rule, democracy, development
and foreign relations and we were hoping that conference
be held last October or March.In order to push the joint
[Egyptian-Libyan] initiative forward I call for a national
forum to be held in Khartoum in a month's time with the
participation of representatives of all political forces
and national personalities.For our part we will offer everything
that enables the forum to fulfil its mission, in an atmosphere
of freedom and independence.We will work for reaching a
just solution that meets the aspirations of the people of
south Sudan to guarantee then fair participation in power
and fair share of wealth.we will muster all national resources
and petroleum proceeds as well as international contributions
for the development programme of the south.We should all
sit together in an earnest endeavour to stop fighting and
save lives of our people in the North and South."
Regarding foreign policy
al-Bashir also states: "We will continue developing our
ties with all our neighbours, without exception, on the
basis of the African and Arab fraternity, removing causes
of dispute and resolving problems through mutual respect
and non-interference in other's' affairs."
"Bashir Calls for National
Forum of Sudanese Political Forces", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 28 June 2000; "Bashir Invites Opposition
for Reconciliation Conference", News Article by PANA, 1
July 2000
30 June 2000
The opposition National Democratic Alliance accepts
President al-Bashir's proposals for a national forum, but
only with a string of conditions. NDA spokesman Ali Ahmed
al-Sayyed declared the plan a "positive step", but fell
short of NDA demands for more political freedoms, a halt
to the civil war and the calling off of presidential and
legislative elections scheduled for October. He states:
"The NDA accepts a preliminary meeting with the government
to agree on a transitional period, an interim government,
cessation of fighting and on the agenda, participants venue
and date of the national dialogue."
Al-Sayyed also claims that
the forum plan was originally an NDA idea, but adds that
the NDA would not agree to Khartoum as a preliminary meeting
as the opposition "is not confident of the government".
"Sudan Opposition Accepts
Preliminary Peace Meeting, But On Conditions", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 30 June 2000; "Opposition Shows
Conditional Acceptance of Preparatory Meeting", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 30 June 2000
30 June 2000 The
European Union issues a statement expressing its "grave
concerns regarding the offensive launched by the SPLM/A
in the region of Bahr al-Ghazal". The statement also "calls
for the Humanitarian cease-fire commitments given to be
respected.and calls upon the Sudanese Government and the
SPLA/M to resume rapidly the peace negotiations under the
auspices of IGAD".
"Declaration by the Presidency
on Behalf of the European Union on the Civil War in Sudan",
European Union, Brussels, 30 June 2000
1 July 2000 Ethiopian
President Negaso Jihada states that Ethiopia has a strong
desire to see a peaceful settlement of disputes between
the Sudanese government and the SPLA. A peaceful resolution
of the Sudanese civil war would help bring about lasting
peace and stability in the Horn of Africa. He expresses
Ethiopia's commitment to the IGAD peace process.
"Ethiopia Keen to Peaceful
Settlement of Civil War in Sudan", News Article by XINHUA,
1 July 2000
4 July 2000 Egyptian
and Libyan government officials criticise the Ethiopian
President's statement regarding the IGAD peace process.
They state that "despite of having six years passed since
the start of IGAD, yet it did not achieve any progress".
They state that the joint Egyptian-Libyan initiative emphasises
a solution which includes all the opposition parties and
the government.
"Egypt and Libya Criticise
Ethiopian President's Remarks on Sudan", News Article by
ArabicNews.com, 6 July 2000
6 July 2000 At
a two-day NDA meeting in Cairo NDA head Mohammed Osman al-Mirghani
states his agreement to a meeting within a month between
the Sudanese government and NDA members, "whether it is
held inside or outside Sudan", and states that the Egyptian-Libyan
initiative forms a basis for realising peace. However, Umma
Party Secretary-General Omar Nour al-Diem accuses the NDA
of "conspiring" against the Umma Party "just because the
Umma Party favours a peaceful settlement and rejects a military
option sponsored by the SPLM".
"Sudanese Opposition Welcomes
President's Call for Reconciliation Meeting", News Article
by XINHUA, 5 July 2000; "Umma Party to Participate in Preparations
for Sudan Peace Conference", News Article by Agence France
Presse, 5 July 2000
7 July 2000
The Roman Catholic Bishop of the Sudanese diocese
of Rumbek, Caesar Mazzolari, states that thousands were
fleeing the southern Sudanese town of Wau for fear of an
imminent attack by SPLA forces.
"Thousands Flee Sudanese
Town Fearing Rebel Attack: Cleric", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 7 July 2000
7 July 2000
A group of Sudanese rebels from the opposition Democratic
Unionist Party return from bases in Ethiopia and surrender
their weapons under the terms of President al-Bashir's amnesty
offer.
"Sudanese Rebels Return
from Ethiopia, Surrender Weapons", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 7 July 2000
7 July 2000 US
Department of State Spokesman Richard Boucher states that
"The Sudanese National Democratic Alliance Leadership Committee
(NDA) is meeting in Cairo.to continue efforts to advance
the search for a just and comprehensive peace in Sudan.
The NDA has launched an effort to coordinate the peace initiative
of [IGAD] and the Egyptian-Libyan Initiative. The US believes
that the Peace Initiative of [IGAD] offers the best hope
for ending the violence in Sudan and supports coordinating
the two efforts. Peace cannot be achieved if the two initiatives
work separately or at odds with each other. The war in Sudan
has gone on too long and the violence and killing must stop."
"Sudan: US Support for Efforts
to Coordinate IGAD Peace Process and Egyptian-Libyan Initiative",
Office of the Spokesman, US Department of State, Washington,
DC, 7 July 2000
8 July 2000
Organisation of African Unity Secretary-General
Salim Ahmed Salim states that the OAU remains committed
to a peaceful solution in Sudan "based on respect for the
unity and territorial integrity of the country on the principles
of tolerance and accommodation". He further declares: "The
OAU, which has consistently supported the efforts made through
IGAD peace process, will continue to extend that support.We
also encourage the co-ordination of efforts deployed by
IGAD countries on one hand, and Egypt and Libya on the other,
aimed at promoting an early and peaceful solution to the
conflict."
"OAU Wants Peaceful Solution
in Sudan", News Article by Panafrican News Association,
8 July 2000
9 July 2000
Umma Party Foreign Relations Secretary Mubarak al-Fadel
al-Mahdi states that the Umma Party would take part in "a
national government" if the Khartoum government "accepts
the Umma Party's views on issues of peace, development and
peaceful democratic transformation".
"Sudan's Opposition Umma
Party Willing to Share Power", News Article by Agence France
Presse, 9 July 2000
10 July 2000 The
Organisation of African Unity, representing 53 nations,
chose Sudan over Uganda and Mauritius to succeed Namibia
to represent the African continent as a non-permanent member
on the United Nations Security Council for two years beginning
January 2001.
"African Nations Select
Sudan to Join UN Security Council", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 10 July 2000.
10 July 2000
Mutref Siddeiq, advisor on peace matters to President
al-Bashir, states that IGAD representative Daniel Mboya,
will arrive in Sudan shortly to discuss the timetable and
agenda for talks between the government and the SPLA. Siddeiq
also accuses the SPLA of abandoning its cease-fire in the
southern Bahr al-Ghazal region, He states that: "This escalation
is aimed at dragging the government into violating the ceasefire
to give the rebel movement an excuse for postponing the
negotiations."
"Drive for New Peace Talks
Between Sudan, Rebels", News Article by Agence France Press,
10 July 2000
15 July 2000 The
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail says that
the Sudanese government has not yet decided on renewing
a temporary partial cease-fire with rebel forces due to
participate at the end of the week. He states:
"We would be a laughing
stock if we declare a renewal of the temporary partial ceasefire
in Bahr al-Ghazal region while the rebel movement everyday
announces new victories in the region . The rebel SPLA has
occupied a string of towns, including Gogriel, and has destroyed
a railroad bridge cutting off delivery of food aid by railway
to Wau town in Bahr al-Ghazal with a view to making the
town hungry prior to occupying it.We have demanded the UN,
which is in charge of the humanitarian operations, to live
up to its responsibility and determine which party has violated
the ceasefire and adopt a clear-cut resolution."
"Sudanese Government Unsure
Whether to Extend Ceasefire With Rebels: FM", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 15 July 2000
15 July 2000 The
Sudanese government issues a statement in which it restates
that it had declared an end to aerial bombardment on 19
April except for self-defence; that on 27 April it had extended
the humanitarian cease-fire in Bahr al-Ghazal for another
three months and that on 3 May it had agreed the use of
the railway line between Kosti and Wau to facilitate aid
to the civilian population in western Bahr al-Ghazal. In
spite of these agreements the SPLA had deliberately broken
the cease-fire and attacked several towns within Bahr al-Ghazal.
While, the Khartoum government reaffirmed its commitment
to the humanitarian cease-fire and called for a comprehensive
cease-fire an permanent peace it stated that it would "not
stop and see the rebel movement attacking the towns and
cities of Bahr el Ghazal one after another without due counter
response".
15 July 2000 The
Indian Ocean Newsletter reveals that only strong
pressure by the Egyptian government upon the NDA at its
Cairo meeting manoeuvred it into agreeing to a preliminary
meeting with the Sudanese government.
"Sudan: Cairo Squeezing
the Opposition", The Indian Ocean Newsletter (Paris),15
July 2000
16 July 2000
At a meeting with the IGAD delegation in Khartoum
the Sudanese government urges IGAD to "take a stern position"
toward the SPLA and "pressure it to abide by the ceasefire"
in the Bahr el-Ghazal region, stating that "what is currently
going on the [the region] will cause a grave humanitarian
catastrophe". It declares that "participation of Sudan in
the next round of talks.will be linked to the provision
of real and essential guarantees from the IGAD secretariat
and the international community of non-violation or contravention
by the rebel movement of the ceasefire in southern Sudan".
"Sudan Urges African Mediators
to Condemn Rebels", News Article by Agence France Press,
16 July 2000; "Khartoum Makes Ceasefire Condition for New
Talks", News Article by Reuters, 17 July 2000
17 July 2000 The
Egyptian government expresses concern over the reported
massing of rebel troops at Sudan's borders. Egyptian Foreign
Minister Amr Moussa states that: "Egypt will not accept
any outside meddling in Sudan's affairs that might harm
the safety of its territory and destabilise the peace process
.the military situation should not endanger Sudan's territory
and wealth... We are very clear that we are against any
intervention in Sudan's internal affairs."
"Egypt Concerned Over Troop
Build Up at Sudan's Borders", News Article by Associated
Press, 17 July 2000
18 July 2000 Sudanese
Presidential peace advisor Mutref Siddeiq states that Sudan
"will not boycott the next round of peace talks as the rebel
movement did last April.despite repeated violations of the
ceasefire [in the southern Bahr el-Ghazal region] by the
rebel moment". However, he does reaffirm Sudan's call for
"a denunciation by IGAD and the international community
of the disrespect by the rebel movement for the declared
ceasefire".
"Khartoum Will Attend Peace
Talks with SPLA in Nairobi: Official", News Article by Agence
France Press, 18 July 2000
19 July 2000 A
group of pro-Government and former opposition parties in
Sudan, including the Democratic Unionist Party, Umma Party,
Alliance of the Peoples Working Forces, Nile Valley Congress,
United Democratic Salvation Front, Sudanese National Front,
Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic Umma Party, Nile Valley Party,
Sudanese National Party and the National Congress, issue
a statement condemning the SPLA massing of troops on Sudan's
borders, and its military provocation in southern and eastern
Sudan. It further declares that the SPLA is not honest and
serious about peace negotiations and calls for all political
parties and organisations in and outside Sudan to respond
to the call for peace.
"Pro-Government Parties
Condemn Rebel Attacks in East, South", News Article by SUNA,
18 July 2000
21 July 2000
The Co-Chairs of the Sudan Committee of the IGAD
Partners Forum express their concern over "the recent military
development in Southern Sudan". It declares the "capture
of Gogrial.a clear violation of the SPLA's unilateral cease
fire" and calls upon both the Sudanese government and the
SPLA to renew their cease-fires.
"Press Release: Statement
by the Co-Chairs of the Sudan Committee of the IGAD Partners
Forum", 21 July 2000
23 July 2000
Sudanese Peace Advisory Administration Secretary-General
Mohammed al-Atta states that Ugandan and Eritrean support
for the SPLA in its current military operations in the Bahr
al-Ghazal and Blue Nile regions in Sudan is "as clear as
sunlight". He reiterates that the Sudanese government will
not pull out of the peace process and will participate in
a meeting in Nairobi on 31 July to pave the way for the
forthcoming round of peace negotiations.
"Sudan, IGAD to Hold Ministerial
Meeting to Assess Peace Initiative", News Article by Agence
France Press, 23 July 2000
23 July 2000
Sudanese women are set to have a greater say in
peace negotiations following the creation of a Women's Desk
at the IGAD Secretariat for Sudan.
"Women to Have More Say
in Peace Talks", News Article by PANA, 23 July 2000
23 July 2000
Both the ruling National Congress party and opposition
parties unite to mobilise their supporters against the rebel
SPLA offensives in the east, south and Nuba Mountain region.
President Omer al-Bashir
also states that Sudanese air space has been closed to foreign
planes flying relief to country with effect from 22 July.
He claims that UN sponsored relief operations are flying
in weapons to the rebels. He also states that the government
will now reconsider its agreement with the UN and the SPLA
for Operation Lifeline Sudan.
"Sudan Government and Opposition
to Unite to Fight Southern Rebels", News Article by DPA,
23 July 2000
23 July 2000
At a conference in Kampala leaders of a number of
civil society groups opposed to the current Sudanese government
resolve to push for a referendum on separation of Sudan
into two states: "Self-determination is a basic right for
all people. We shall continue pressuring for the people
of Sudan to be allowed to see and exercise the right of
self determination."
One participant, Dengtiel
A. Kur, Chairman of the South Sudan Law Society, calls for
more pressure on the Sudanese government, including civil
uprising.
"Sudanese Want Referendum
on Unity", New Vision, Kampala, 23 July 2000
26 July 2000
Sudanese Foreign Minister Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail
meets Vatican representative Jean-Louis Taran to discuss
the peace process. A joint statement declares: "The Sudanese
minister explained the latest political developments which
are to lead the country to a multi-party and federal statement
and are to put an end to the conflict which has been tearing
apart southern Sudan for many years.The meeting was also
an occasion to review the situation of the Catholic Church
in the country and the ways to better the living conditions
of the Catholic community and thus to permit it to participate
more actively in the development of Sudanese society."
"Sudan. Vatican Discuss
Peace Process, Democratisation", News Article by Agence
France Press, 26 July 2000; "Foreign Minister of Sudan Received
in Vatican", News Article by Vatican Information Service,
26 July 2000
27 July 2000
The National Democratic Alliance announces that
it will not take part in the conference scheduled by the
Sudanese government for August 7-14, designed to prepare
for a wider national dialogue conference. NDA spokesman
Ali Mahmoud Hassanain states: "We are not concerned with
the meeting which is only aimed at rallying the government
supporters and the NDA has nothing to do with it." The Umma
Party, however, states that it is willing to participate
with "reservations" about timing and preparations. The conference
will be chaired by former head-of-state Field Marshal Abd
al-Rahman Swar al-Dahab, well respected in Sudan for organising
free elections in 1986.
"Opposition to Boycott Peace
Meeting With Khartoum", News Article by Agence France Presse,
27 July 2000
5 August 2000
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustapha Osman Ismail
states that: "The government strongly opposes the secession
of the southern part of the country and is determined to
keep Sudan a united state based on a federal system and
a just distribution of wealth [and] by consensus of all
parties." He also states that secession would only lead
to the rise of "mini-states", would not end conflict and
would be "unacceptable" to Sudan's neighbours and the OAU.
He further states the continued struggle of the SPLA "is
based on personal ambitions not related to the demands of
the other southern groups".
"Khartoum Reaffirms Opposition
to Any Secession by South", News Article by Agence France
Presse, 5 August 2000
7 August 2000
SPLA spokesman Samson Kwaje responds to the Sudanese
government's statement regarding self-determination. He
states: "The government of Sudan has no right to give or
deny secession.They are going back on their word, This is
typical of the NIF regime, It says one thing and does another..We
are very concerned that the foreign ministry of Sudan should
say this. This is definitely in bad faith."
He also accuses the Sudanese
government of "rebuffing the IGAD peace process".
"Sudan Rebels Accuse Khartoum
of Back-Tracking on Referendum", News Article by Agence
France Press, 7 August 2000
11 August 2000
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan urges both the Sudanese
government and the rebels to reinstate their cease-fires,
and for the government to "live up to their obligations
to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian operations".
"UN Security Council Pushes
for Cease-Fire in South Sudan", News Article by Associated
Press, 11 August 2000
17 August 2000
The Sudanese government proposes the date of September
3 instead of August 21 for IGAD peace negotiations with
the SPLA in Nairobi. The Sudanese government also states
that it is presently in contact with other leaders and individual
members of the SPLA so that negotiations "will not become
a monopoly of [SPLA leader] Garang". It also states that
"the government will expand its political activities in
south Sudanese provinces and villages held by the rebels"
to rally support from civilians there.
"Khartoum Proposes September 3 for Talks
with SPLA", News Article by Agence France Presse, 17
August 2000
