7 August 1998 Sudanese
Foreign Minister Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail states that the
IGAD peace talks have collapsed because of the "stubbornness"
of the rebel movement and "its premeditated determination
to lead the talks into an impasse". The SPLA was insisting
upon a new definition of southern Sudan. He declares: "The
SPLA have retreated from the boundary of southern Sudan,
based on the map of 1956 as agreed upon, by adding the areas
of Abyei, Jebel Nuba and the Blue Nile."
However, Dr Ismail reiterates
that the Sudanese government is still committed to finding
a peaceful solution to the conflict.
"Sudanese Minister
Says Peace Talks With Rebels Have Collapsed", News
Article by Associated Press, 7 August 1998; "Sudan
Seeks Peaceful End to War After Talks Fail", News Article
by Reuters, 8 August 1998
7 August 1998 Terrorist
bombs devastated United States embassy buildings in Kenya
and Tanzania. Hundreds of people, some of them American,
were killed in the explosion in Nairobi and dozens in the
blast in Dar-es-Salaam. Thousands more were injured. The
American government linked Osama bin-Laden, the Saudi-born
millionaire funder of Islamic extremism with these attacks.
The Sudanese government immediately and repeatedly condemned
the embassy bombings. The Sudanese Foreign Minister, Dr
Mustafa Osman Ismail, stated, for example, that: "These
criminal acts of violence do not lead to any goal."
'Sudan Condemns Bombings
of U.S. Embassies', News Article by Reuters on 8 August
1998 at 08:54:19; 'Sudan Condemns Bombings of U.S. Embassies',
News Article by Reuters on 8 August 1998 at 08:54:19
10 August 1998 The
Sudanese Foreign Minister Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail states
that: "We must pool our efforts to eradicate all the
causes of terrorism." He further says: "the solidarity
and cooperation of all the nations in the region and the
international community to stand up to international terrorism."
Sudan offered to help in tracking down the terrorists involved.
The foreign minister stated that: "Sudan supports Kenya
in its efforts to reach the people who committed the incident
and is prepared to cooperate fully with it in this regard."
The government of Sudan also immediately granted United
States requests for access to Sudanese airspace to evacuate
American diplomatic staff and citizens from Kenya, and to
provide emergency assistance to those affected in the bombing.
When the United States requested further humanitarian overflight
authorisations they too were granted.
'Sudan Offers Nairobi Help
to Track Down the "Guilty Men", News Article by
Agence France Presse, 11 August 1998; 'Sudan Offers to Help
Find Kenya Bombings', News Article by Reuters, 11 August
1998
17 August 1998 The
National Democratic Alliance reiterates that it would continue
its "struggle against the Khartoum government in order
to overthrow it" and insisted on "the necessity
of maintaining military confrontation with the ruling regime."
The NDA also called on the international community to provide
humanitarian assistance to southern Sudan.
"Sudan Opposition Vows
to Keep Fighting, Appeals for Famine Aid", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 17 August 1998
20 August 1998 The
United States government launched a missile attack on the
al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum, alleging that
it was making chemical weapons as part of Osama bin-Laden's
infrastructure of international terrorism. Seventeen Cruise
missiles hit the factory. The al-Shifa plant was badly damaged.
Several workers were injured in the attack. Two food processing
factories were also damaged in the strike.
'Two Food Processing Factories
Hit in US Raid: Witness', News Article by Agence France
Press, 21August 1998
20 August 1998 The
United States government made several, widely-reported,
claims about the al-Shifa factory. In the news briefing
given by United States Defence Secretary, William Cohen
he stated that the al-Shifa factory "produced the precursor
chemicals that would allow the production of.VX nerve agent".
Secretary Cohen also stated that Osama bin-Laden "has
had some financial interest in contributing to.this particular
facility". The American government also claimed that
no commercial medicines or drugs were made at the factory.
The New York Times, for example, reported: "statements
by a senior intelligence official hours after the attack
that the plant in Khartoum.produced no commercial products."
Text of news briefing given
by Defence Secretary William Cohen and Gen. Henry Shelton
on military strikes in Afghanistan and Sudan', the Guardian
website, at http://reports.guardian.co.uk/sp_reports/usbombs/376.html;
'Possible Benign Use Is Seen for Chemical at Factory in
Sudan', The New York Times, 27 August 1998
20 August 1998 Within
hours of the attack, Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir said
that Sudan would be bring an official complaint at the American
action before the United Nations Security Council and that
the Sudanese government would also ask the United Nations
to establish "a commission to verify the nature of
the activity of the plant". President Bashir flatly
denied American claims that the al-Shifa plant was being
used to make chemical weapons. He accused President Clinton
of lying: "Putting out lies is not new for the United
States and its president. A person of such immorality will
not hesitate to tell any lie." President Bashir also
stated that Sudan was critical of the United States government,
and not of American companies or citizens: "We have
no animosity towards the American people and non-government
agencies."
See, 'Sudan to Protest to
UN Over US strike - Adds Beshir Comments', News Article
by Agence France Presse, 20 August1998; 'U.S. Tells Sudan
It Wasn't Personal', News Article by Associated Press, 24
August 1998
21 August 1998 In
a formal letter to the United Nations Security Council,
Bishop Gabriel Roric Jur, the Sudanese Minister of State
for Foreign Affairs, condemned the American attack on the
factory. The Sudanese government stated that the factory
was privately owned and had been financed by several Sudanese
investors and the Bank of the Preferential Trade Area (PTA),
also known as Comesa. The factory produced more than half
of Sudan's need for medicines. The Sudanese government stated:
"The allegations in U.S. statements that Osama bin-Laden
owned this factory and that it produced chemical weapons
and poisonous gases for terrorist purposes are allegations
devoid of truth and the U.S. government has no evidence
for this." Sudan requested the convening of the Security
Council to discuss the matter, and also requested a technical
fact-finding mission to verify American claims.
'Letter of H.E. Bishop Gabrial
Roric, State Minister at the Ministry of External Affairs
to the President of the United Nations Security Council
on the flagrant American aggression against the Sudan',
Ministry of External Affairs, Khartoum. See, also, 'Sudan
Formally Asks for UN Meeting, Probe of Plant', News Article
by Reuters on 22 August 1998 at 05:44 pm EST; 'Khartoum
Seeks Condemnation, Damages and Fact-Finding Team', News
Article by Agence France Presse on 23 August 1998 at 19:03:09
30 August 1998 American
intelligence claims about the al-Shifa factory fall by the
wayside one by one. The United States government made five
claims about the al-Shifa factory in its attempts to justify
its Cruise missile attack on the plant. These were as follows:
the al-Shifa plant was making precursors to the VX nerve
gas, namely a compound known as Empta; that Osama bin-Laden
either owned or had a financial link to the al-Shifa factory;
that the al-Shifa factory did not produce any medicines
or drugs; that the al-Shifa factory was a high security
facility guarded by the Sudanese military; and that there
were weapons of mass destruction technology links between
Sudan and Iraq. An examination and assessment of the evidence
released by the United States found it to be confused, inconclusive
and contradictory. After just over one week of sifting through
American government claims, The Observer newspaper
speaks of: "a catalogue of US misinformation, glaring
omissions and intelligence errors about the function of
the plant."
"Sudanese Plant 'Not
Built for Weapons"', The Observer (London),
30 August 1998
3 September 1998 The
summit meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, meeting in Durban,
South Africa, and representing well over one hundred countries,
condemns the American attack on the al-Shifa factory, passing
the following resolution: "The Heads of State or Government.expressed
their deep concern over the air attack carried out by the
United States Government against the El-Shifa Pharmaceutical
Plant in the Sudan on 20 August 1998, and considered this
as a serious violation of the principles of international
law and the UN Charter and contrary to the principles of
peaceful settlement of disputes as well as a serious threat
to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Sudan
and the regional stability and international peace and security.
They further considered this attack as a unilateral and
unwarranted act. The Heads of State or Government condemned
this act of aggression and the continuing threats made by
the United States Government against the Sudan and urged
the US Government to refrain from such unilateral acts.
They further expressed support to the Sudan in its legitimate
demands for full compensation for economic and material
losses resulting from the attack."
Final Document, XII NAM
Summit, Durban, 29 August - 3 September 1998
6 September 1998 The
Washington Post, in an editorial entitled 'Intelligence
Lapse?', called American intelligence claims about the al-Shifa
factory into question: "the possibility of an intelligence
failure in the choice of targets in Sudan is so awful to
contemplate.But enough questions have been raised, and the
administration's story has been often enough revised, to
warrant further inquiry.How could the CIA not have known
more about the factory - not have known what so many ordinary
citizens apparently knew? Some officials reportedly pointed
to a search of the factory's Internet site that listed no
products for sale. We can only hope that, if the administration
could speak more openly, it could make a more persuasive
case. At a minimum, there is room here for congressional
intelligence committees to inquire further."
21 September 1998 The
New York Times, and The Times of London, after
investigations in the wake of the American attack on the
al-Shifa factory, report that the Central Intelligence Agency
had previously secretly had to withdraw over one hundred
of its reports alleging Sudanese involvement in terrorism.
The CIA had realised that the reports in question had been
fabricated: "In late 1995 the CIA realized that a foreign
agent who had warned repeatedly of startling terrorist threats
to U.S. diplomats, spies and their children in Khartoum
was fabricating information. They withdrew his reports,
but the climate of fear and mistrust created by the reports
bolstered the case for withdrawing personnel from the U.S.
Embassy in Khartoum, officials said.The embassy remained
closed, even though, as a senior intelligence official put
it, "the threat wasn't there" as of 1996."
An editorial stated that: "the Central Intelligence
Agency.recently concluded that reports that had appeared
to document a clear link between the Sudanese Government
and terrorist activities were fabricated and unreliable.The
United States is entitled to use military force to protect
itself against terrorism. But the case for every such action
must be rigorously established. In the case of the Sudan,
Washington has conspicuously failed to prove its case."
In London, The Times concluded that this: "is
no great surprise to those who have watched similar CIA
operations in Africa where 'American intelligence' is often
seen as an oxymoron."
'Decision to Strike Factory
in Sudan Based on Surmise', The New York Times, 21
September 1998; 'Dubious Decisions on the Sudan', Editorial,
The New York Times, 23 September 1998; The Times
(London), 22 September 1998
22 September 1998 The
Sudanese government accuse Uganda of having attacked Sudan.
Sudanese media reported that fifty Ugandan soldiers had
been killed in the fighting. Mansour Khalid, political advisor
to SPLA leader John Garang, states that: "There is
no Ugandan interference in the battles in the south."
"Sudan Accuse Uganda
of Attacking its Territories", News Article by ArabicNews.com,
22 September 1998
22 September 1998 The
European Commission calls upon both the Sudanese government
and the rebel SPLA to extend the cease-fire that is set
to expire on October 15.
"European Commission
Calls for Extension of Sudan Ceasefire", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 22 September 1998
24 September 1998 A
Sudanese army spokesman announces that Sudanese forces have
killed more than 70 Ugandan soldiers and destroyed 75 tanks,
three armoured vehicles and several lorries in battles in
southern Sudan. The Ugandan government denied the claims,
stating "we do not have any presence there."
"Sudan Says it Kills
70 and Destroys 75 Tanks, Ugandans Deny Intervention",
News Article by ArabicNews.com, 24 September 1998
27 September 1998 The
Sudanese government reported that rebel forces and their
Ugandan allies had suffered 1,100 casualties in fighting
over the weekend. Government forces had also destroyed several
armoured vehicles and trucks in the fighting in eastern
Equatoria. The government has announced a general mobilisation
to deal with Ugandan-Eritrean aggression.
"1,100 Ugandan, SPLA
casualties in south Sudan: Khartoum", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 28 September 1998
30 September 1998 The
Sudanese government agrees in principle to extend its cease-fire
in parts of the south to enable relief operations to proceed.
"Sudanese Government
Willing for Ceasefire Extension", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 30 September 1998
1 October 1998 The
Sudanese army claims to have killed 500 "invading"
Ugandan soldiers in south-eastern East Equatoria state.
Seventeen tanks and five armoured vehicles were also destroyed:
"The armed forces are now controlling the situation
in East Equatoria after they have destroyed the two regiments
with which Uganda has spearheaded the offensive in Sudan."
"Sudanese Army Claims
to Kill 500 Ugandan Troops in Southeast", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 1 October 1998
1 October 1998 SPLA
rebels attack the southern garrison town of Torit, one of
a series of towns that the SPLA has said it must capture
to encircle the southern capital. Aid workers report the
presence of Ugandan troops in the area.
"Sudan Rebels Shelling
Government Town of Torit", News Article by Reuters,
1 October 1998
9 October 1998 The
Sudanese government states that government forces have lifted
the rebel siege on military garrisons in southern Sudan
and forced back invading Ugandan and Eritrean troops assisting
the rebel SPLA.
"Sudanese Army Lifts
Siege of Southern Garrisons", News Article by DPA,
9 October 1998; SPLA Confirms Withdrawal from Liria",
News Article by Agence France Presse, 9 October 1998
7 October 1998 The
Sudanese government announces that it has complained to
the United Nations Security Council about Ugandan and Eritrean
military incursions into southern Sudan in September.
"Sudan Presents Complaint
to UN Security Council Against Eritrea and Uganda",
News Article by ArabicNews.com, 7 October 1998
10 October 1998 A
Sudanese army spokesman states that southern rebels were
benefiting from the current cease-fire in order to regroup
and resupply, but that it would honour any government decision
on extending it.
"Sudanese Army Says
Ceasefire Benefits Rebels", News Article by Reuters,
10 October 1998
11 October 1998 The
Sudanese government states that it wants a "comprehensive
full cease-fire" with the southern rebels and calls
"on those working with humanitarian groups to exercise
pressure on the rebels.to halt the shedding of blood and
end the suffering of civilians in the south".
"Government Seeks Full
Cease-Fire With Southern Rebels", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 11 October 1998
11 October 1998 SPLA
leader John Garang tells a UN delegation investigating famine
and relief operations in Sudan that: "The SPLA has
decided to continue the war.It is up to the international
community to provide humanitarian aid."
"Perpetuating an 'Emergency'
in War-Torn Sudan", by Raymond Bonnere, The New
York Times, 11 October 1998
12 October 1998 The
Sudanese government extends the cease-fire in the Bahr al-Ghazal
area to enable humanitarian relief operations to take place,
although the Khartoum government states it would have preferred
a lasting solution to the conflict.
"Sudan, Rebels to Extend
Cease-Fire", News Article by Associated Press, 12 October
1998
16 October 1998 The
Sudanese government states that it is inviting prominent
opposition figures abroad, including SPLA leader John Garang,
to return safely to Sudan to discuss a proposed bill allowing
the establishment of political organisations.
"World: Africa: Sudan
Seeks Opposition Talks", News Article by BBC, 16 October
1998
19 October 1998 The
NDA rejects the government's call to discuss forthcoming
legislation legalising multi-party politics in Sudan.
"Sudanese Opposition
Rejects Government Call to Discuss Legalizing Political
Parties", News Article by ArabicNews.com, 19 September
1998
22 October 1998 The
Sudanese President in an address to the Sudanese Parliament
states that his government seeks to achieve a comprehensive
peace settlement and national reconciliation. He states
that the proposed multi-party legislation is moving towards
achieving those aims.
"Sudanese President:
Political Party Law Aims at Achieving National Reconciliation",
News Article by ArabicNews.com, 22 October 1998
23 October 1998 The
Secretary-General of the Democratic Unionist Party, al-Sherif
Zein al-Abidin al-Hindi returns to Sudan and announces that
large groups of the Sudanese opposition living abroad are
on their way back to Sudan to participate in discussions
on the draft law on multi-partyism in the Sudanese Parliament.
He also says that the law could help achieve stability in
Sudan as well as the peaceful and civil transmission of
authority.
"Sudanese Opposition
Factions Resume Participation in Multiple-Party System",
News Article by ArabicNews.com, 24 October 1998
28 October 1998 Umma
Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi rejects an invitation from the
Sudanese government to discuss a draft law regulating multi-partyism,
and allowing the establishment of political parties. He
also states that the Umma Party rejected the Sudanese constitution
ratified this summer.
"El-Mahdi Refuses Call
to Discuss Political Succession Law", News Article
by ArabicNews.com, 28 October 1999
14 November 1998 There
are armed clashes between southern Sudanese rebels in the
Kenyan capital, Nairobi. Gunmen loyal to Kerubino Bol Kuanyin
are said to have killed one of John Garang's bodyguards
in a shoot-out outside Garang's residence in Nairobi. These
clashes had followed several incidents in previous weeks.
Kerubino's deputy, Amon Wantok, states that the Garang movement
has been harassing Kerubino: "This was a carefully
planned scheme by Garang to harass and intimidate Kerubino."
Wantok also said that southern Sudanese are unhappy and
wish to limit Garang's excesses: "Garang does not want
this war to end because he benefits from it."
"Sudanese Rebel Leaders
Hunt Down Each Other in Kenya", News Article by IPS,
19 November 1998; "A Gun-Fight in Nairobi Exposes Rift
in SPLA", East African (Nairobi), 25 November
1998; "Sudan Assassins Prowl Nairobi", Daily
Mail and Guardian (Johannesburg), 24 November 1998
19 November 1998 The
Sudanese government signs two key agreements with rebel
forces which enhance the security of aid workers and increase
access to parts of Sudan hardest hit by war and famine.
The agreements laid down the first-ever rules for aid convoys
crossing front lines and set out a framework under which
aid deliveries could be sent to southern areas by train
for the first time since 1995.
"Sudan, rebels agree
to improve safety of aid workers", New Article by CNN,
19 November 1998
24 November 1998 The
Sudanese parliament approves a bill providing for the return
of a multi-party system to Sudan. The act will pass into
law and become effective on January 1, 1999. Earlier in
the month parliament also passed a bill forming a constitutional
court as part of the government's declared plan to restore
democracy to the country.
"Sudan Parliament Ratifies
Multi-Party Bill", News Article by Reuters, 24 November
1998
24 November 1998 Sudanese
President Omer al-Bashir calls on the United Nations to
stop the United States and other countries from "obstructing"
the Sudanese peace process by their interference.
"Sudan Asks UN to Stop
US, Others Halting Peace", News Article by Reuters,
24 November 1998
26 November 1998 Umma
Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi states that he opposes the multi-party
legislation just ratified by the Sudanese parliament and
opposes discussing the law with the Sudanese government.
However, he does confirm the existence of communications
between the Sudanese government and the opposition abroad
and his approval of mediation and peace initiatives.
"El-Mahdi Rejects Political
Multiplicity Law in Sudan", News Article by ArabicNews.com,
26 November 1998
1 December 1998 Sudanese
Foreign Minister Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail calls on the United
Nations to put "pressure, directly or through agencies,
on the rebel movement to accept a comprehensive ceasefire
for facilitating relief operations and for pushing the IGAD
initiative forward".
"Sudan Slams UN Envoy
for Meeting With Opposition", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 1 December 1998
14 December 1998 Organisation
of African Unity Secretary-General Salim Ahmed Salim urges
both sides in the Sudanese civil war to seek a peaceful
solution to the conflict.
"OAU Urges Sudanese
Warring Parties to Seek Peace", News Article by PANA,
14 December 1998
30 December 1998 Sudanese
President Omer al-Bashir issues a decree liberalising the
press laws, in line with the new Sudanese constitution's
provisions allowing multi-partyism.
"Sudan to Liberalise
Press Laws, News Article by ArabicNews.com, 28 December
1998
1 January 1999 President
Omer al-Bashir expresses Sudan's wish for dialogue with
both his domestic opposition as well as the United States
and Britain. He states: "We will not close the door
to dialogue with the United States and Britain despite the
hostility shown by these two nations". Bashir also
said that his government would continue to improve Sudan
regional relationships, and noted that some neighbouring
states that had until recently shown animosity to Sudan
"have now begun to change this attitude."
"Sudanese Leader Says
He Wants Dialogue", News Article by Agence France Presse,
31 December 1998
14 January 1999 In
an official SPLM/SPLA paper, "Notes on the Peace Process
in the Sudan", Deng Alor Kuol argues that the passing
of the Islamic constitution by the NIF government makes
any option of Sudanese unity "redundant and academic
within the context of the NIF Government" and that
IGAD mediation "should be geared towards a final divorce
between SPLM/SPLA New Sudan and the NIF Sudan".
Deng Alor Kuol, 'Notes on
the Peace Process in the Sudan', SPLM/SPLA, 14 January 1999
15 January 1999 In
an interview published in an American magazine, Mahdi Ibrahim
Mohammed, the Sudanese Ambassador to the USA, addresses
the background of the Sudanese civil war, and the attempt
of the Bashir government to negotiate a peaceful settlement.
He states:
"It is important that
the war in the south be perceived in its historical context.
This war started when the British were there, and continued
for four decades. There have only been ten years of peace
in southern Sudan, from 1972 to 1982. So this war started
well before this government in place came to power. It is
not the responsibility of this government. Since this government
assumed power [in 1989], it has taken very seriously the
task of bringing the war to an end. The initial thrust of
the government was to try to do that through negotiations.
But unfortunately, at the time John Garang felt that he
was supported by the then communist President of Ethiopia,
Haile Miriam Mengistu, and his only way of addressing the
issue with the government of Sudan was to use force. Because
of that, he undermined all the serious attempts to negotiate
faithfully and seriously with the government of Sudan. It
is because of that, that the last ten years have witnessed
a terrible suffering of the people of the south, and the
people of the whole country.The government continued with
its efforts. After lengthy deliberations and wide discussion,
the government established a federal system, which is already
implemented. There are now 26 states with elected parliaments
and elected governors. This is a major devolution of power.We
then went beyond the expectation of any sitting government
in Africa to accept an internationally monitored referendum,
to give the people of the south the right to decide what
their choices are. The referendum allows the southerners
to choose even secession, separation, if they want it."
Regarding the role of the
United States in relation to Sudan, he states:
"The [US] administration
is supporting John Garang, who does not intend any real
peace for the country. He fought the Numiery government,
the Swaredahab transitional government, the elected government
of Sadiq al-Mahdi, and now the Beshir government. He has
never compromised in negotiation with the government . The
United States is crucial to peace. That requires a new vision.
The policy of the administration was designed to overthrow
the government of Sudan, rather than to help the two parties
reach an amicable agreement. I think it is high time for
a change in the US government's policy toward Sudan, and
toward Africa generally. We know very well that fighting
between Africans has destroyed the African continent. The
divide and rule policy of the colonial powers should never
be pursued by the US administration. There is no way for
Africa, and Sudan particularly, to establish peace and development
in the absence of negotiated settlement. We think the time
is ripe for that, and we hope the United States will come
forward without bias to any party, to help this war come
to an end."
On the subject of conditions
in the southern states the Ambassador declares:
"We are also establishing a fund from
the central government to help the southern states engage
in a balanced development. We give them funds to expand
the levels of development in these states of the south particularly.
We give them funds to expand the levels of development in
these states of the south particularly. There are some states
in western and eastern Sudan which are also poor and even
less developed than the south, but they have been stable.
But this fund is created purposely to address the imbalance
in our development in the south because of the four decades
of war, which hindered any programmes of development. It
is amazing that still John Garang is pursuing a policy that
closes the south and puts it under extreme emergency conditions.
Not only are schools and hospitals not being built, but
those facilities and projects that existed were destroyed
by the rebels. All the projects that were going on
in the south when John Garang started
the rebellion in 1983 were targeted. We are extremely conscious
of the need to generate funds in order to provide the south
with the necessary funds for its development."
"Sudan Is Entering A New Era: Interview
with Mahdi Ibrahim Mohamed, Sudanese Ambassador to the United
States", Executive Intelligence Review, 15 January
1999 at www.aboutsudan.com
