5 June 2001 Pro-government
Sudanese militias, including the Popular Defence Force and
the South Sudan Defence Force, state that they are mobilising
to repulse a wave of attacks by rebels in southern Sudan.
In a press statement the PDF declares that the SPLA's rejection
of a ceasefire and the "hostile campaign" emanating
from abroad necessitate a "mobilisation of nation for
confronting the challenges". The Southern Coordination
Council also accuses foreign powers of backing the rebels
in the civil war.
"Pro-Government Sudanese
Militias Declare Mobilisation", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 5 June 2001
5 June 2001 The
Sudanese government calls on the international community
to pressure the SPLA rebels to agree to a ceasefire. Minister
of State for Foreign Affairs Chol Deng states: "It's
time for the international community to take concern that
without a cease-fire, people are not likely to develop the
right dialogue.The government is committed to talks, it
has accepted the right of self-determination for the south
even to the extent of secession. Let's stop fighting and
talk.A ceasefire is a necessity. Talking and fighting at
the same time cannot take us to any good solution."
"Sudan's Government
Calls on International Community to Push for Cease-Fire",
News Article by Associated Press, 5 June 2001; "Khartoum
Urges Rebels to 'Stop Fighting and Talk'", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 5 June 2001
5 June 2001 The
16-member Community of Sahel-Saharan States (COMESSA) criticises
the USA for its $3 million support to Sudanese rebels. It
expresses "concern at this announcement of aid, which
risks fanning the flames of civil war.[and] interferes in
the affairs of a sovereign state".
"COMESSA Criticises
US for Aiding Sudanese Opposition", News Article by
Agence France Presse, 6 June 2001
7 June 2001 Sudanese
President Omer al-Bashir steps up the mobilisation of Sudanese
forces and vows "never to relinquish the oilfields",
believed to be the target of current SPLA strategy. Sudanese
Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail states that "the
government will now continue with the military option for
repulsing the aggression, although it is not our top option".
"Sudan's Bashir Steps
Up Mobilisation Against Rebel Offensive", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 7 June 2001
8 June 2001 Former
US President Jimmy Carter announces that Uganda and Sudan
will exchange diplomats within the next few days.
"Uganda, Sudan to Restore
Diplomatic Relations", New Vision (Kampala),
8 June 2001
8 June 2001 The
European Union issues a Declaration on the Sudanese peace
process. It states: "The European Union has consistently
supported the IGAD peace initiative but has also expressed
concern at the lack of progress made so far in the peace
process.The EU welcomes the commitment by the Government
of Sudan to halt aerial bombings, expects that it will be
strictly observed and urges the Government of Sudan and
the SPLA/M to stop hostilities immediately in order to create
a conducive environment for negotiations."
"Declaration by the
Presidency on Behalf of the European Union, on the Recent
Summit of the IGAD Committee on the Sudan, Held in Nairobi
on 2 June 211", European Union, 9393/01 (Presse 221),
P 109/01
8 June 2001 At
least 20,000 people flee from the town of Raga in the western
Bahr al-Ghazal region following its capture by the SPLA.
"Sudan: Civilians Flee
Town Under Siege", Sudanese Catholic Information Office,
Nairobi, 8 June 2001
8 June 2001 United
Nations sources express extreme concern over the humanitarian
situation in the Bahr al-Ghazal region following the SPLA
offensives there and the subsequent resumption of bombing
by government forces.
"Concern Over Bahr
al-Ghazal Fighting", News Article by IRIN, Nairobi,
8 June 2001
10 June 2001 SPLA
spokesman Samson Kwaje claims that SPLA forces established
firm control of the strategic garrison town of Raga, in
western Bahr al-Ghazal on 3 June, during the IGAD peace
conference in Nairobi. The capture of Raga is admitted by
the Sudanese government. Sudanese Foreign Minister Dr Mustafa
Osman Ismail states that since the SPLA is adhering to "the
agenda of war" so too would the government. He also
accuses the SPLA of using the IGAD peace negotiations as
a mechanism to persuade the international community that
it was working towards peace whilst in reality prosecuting
the war and showing no flexibility.
"Minister Admits to
Loss of Raga", News Article by United Nations Integrated
Regional Information Network, Nairobi, 9 June 2001;"SPLM/A
Claims 'Firm Control' of Raga", News Article by United
Nations Integrated Regional Information Network, Nairobi,
10 June 2001
11 June 2001 The
United Nations announces that "[f]ighting associated
with an offensive by the rebel Sudan People's Liberation
Army (SPLA) and its capture of Raga town in western Bahr
al-Ghazal have led to the displacement of an estimated 30,000
civilians, according to diverse humanitarian sources".
"Tens of Thousands
Displaced by Bahr al-Ghazal Fighting", News Article
by UN Integrated Information Network, Nairobi, 11 June 2001
11 June 2001 The
Sudanese government announces that it will "resume
air strikes" in the south of the country "to defend
itself in the face of continued aggression". It adds
that it "will make only limited use of air strikes
against specific targets in the fighting zones, far from
populated regions".
"Khartoum Announces Resumption
of Air Strikes in South", News Article by Agence France
Presse, 11 June 2001
11 June 2001 US
State Department spokesman Richard Boucher expresses US
"concern" over the resumption of bombing in southern
Sudan by the Sudanese government in spite of its pledge
to end bombings on 25 May. Boucher claims that civilian
targets are being bombed and that this is an "outrage".
He also states that "Secretary [of State] [Colin] Powell
"has repeatedly emphasised that a halt to the bombing
is critical to moving forward". Boucher fails to acknowledge,
however that the bombing has only been resumed because of
the SPLA's initiation of a massive military offensive in
the south and its capture of the strategic garrison town
of Raga - an offensive that has displaced 30,000 civilians
according to the United Nations.
Boucher states that the
US government "calls[s] on the Government of Sudan
for a full explanation". However, the Sudanese government
has already issued a statement declaring that it is resuming
bombing as a result of he SPLA offensive.
"Press Release: Reports
of Recent Attacks in Southern Sudan", US Department
of State, Washington, DC, 11 June 2001
11 June 2001 Following
talks with Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail,
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa states that the
situation in Sudan is "regrettable and dangerous"
and expresses his "deep concern at the renewed operations
by the SPLM/SPLM against government forces in the southwest
Bahr al-Ghazal region, causing tens of thousands of Sudanese
to be displaced".
"Arab League Terms
Situation in Sudan as 'Dangerous', News Article by XINHUA,
11 June 2001; "Sudan Calls on US to Adopt 'Impartial
Position' on Civil War", News Article by Agence France
Presse, 11 June 2001
11 June 2001 Sudanese
Foreign Minister Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail reiterates the
government's commitment "to realise a peaceful solution
to the civil war in southern Sudan". He argues that
the rebel movement, since the inception of dialogue in 1989,
"was avoiding to state a clear-cut stand on the controversial
issues.[and] was not willing to purse a peaceful settlement".
"Press Release: Sudan
Government Insist on Peace: The Rebel Movement Insist on
War", Embassy of the Republic of Sudan, London, 11
June, 2001, p. 1
12 June 2001 The
SPLA announces that it has killed 214 government soldiers
following an ambush on a convoy escorting oil equipment
near the country's oil fields. They also claim to have captured
the garrison town of Boro near the border with the Central
African Republic, which "brings to a close the complete
liberation of the western Bahr el Ghazal (province)".
"Sudan Rebels Say Kill
244 Troops in Oil Fields", News Article by Reuters,
12 June 2001
12 June 2001 The
Southern Coordination Council forms a battalion from the
South Sudan Defence Forces to go to western Bahr al-Ghazal
region to recapture the towns of Raga and Diem Zubeir. The
Council Chairman Brig. Galwak Deng accuses SPLA leader John
Garang of sticking to war and rejecting peace, being supported
by foreign elements.
Sudanese Foreign Minister
Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail urges the US to visit the areas
attacked by the SPLA forces to see the effect of its support
for the SPLA. He also attacks those unregistered relief
organisations supporting the SPLA's military actions.
"Pro-Government Militia
to Join Fighting Against Rebels in Southwest", News
Article by The Khartoum Monitor, 12 June 2001
12 June 2001 Mansour
Khalid, advisor to SPLA leader John Garang, formally states
that the SPLA's goal is to take control of the oil wells
in the south. He also defends foreign interference in Sudan
by alleging that the Khartoum government was sponsoring
radical Islamic infiltration in their territory. He further
argues that the SPLA's recent escalation in military activity
was "a response to the aerial bombing and the army's
shelling of civilians, hospitals and schools". He also
alleges that the failure of the IGAD peace negotiations
in Nairobi was due to the Khartoum government's refusal
to comply with John Garang's conditions that oil development
must be ceased by the government.
"Rebel Official Says
Oil Wells Are Legitimate Military Targets", Al-Zeman
(London), 12 June 2001
12 June 2001 The
European Union issues a statement calling "on both
parties to halt their military activity.to immediately stop
hostilities.[and].to engage in a continuous and sustained
negotiation towards a just and lasting political settlement
of the conflict in Sudan".
"Press Release: Declaration
by the Presidency on Behalf of the European Unity on Sudanese
Peace Process", European Union, Brussels, 9753/01 (Presse
231), P 115/01. 12 June 2001
13 June 2001 Sudan's
Roman Catholic Information office now estimates that 57,000
people have been displaced by the SPLA attack on the western
Bahr al-Ghazal region and that the humanitarian situation
is "very desperate". The United Nations reports
that following the SPLA offensive and capture of the towns
of Diem Zubeir and Raga there has "been an exodus of
civilians north and northwestwards into areas still controlled
by the government". Over 10,000 of the displaced have
concentrated around the village of Timsaha, 144 kilometres
north of Raga, where the resident population normally numbers
only a few thousand.
"Fighting in Sudan's
Bahr el Ghazal Leaves 57,000 Displaced, Bishop", News
Article by Agence France Presse, 13 June 2001; "People
Displaced by Fighting Flee Towards Darfur", News Article
by IRIN, Nairobi, 13 June 2001
13 June 2001 The
SPLA announces that it has captured the town of Boro, thereby
bringing to a close what the organisation terms the "complete
liberation" of Western Bahr al-Ghazal. The Sudanese
government acknowledges the capture of the town and states
that the SPLA is continuing its offensive in "an otherwise
very peaceful part of Sudan".
"SPLA Claims Capture
of Boro Town", News Article by IRIN, Nairobi, 13 June
2001
13 June 2001 Egyptian
President Hosni Mubarak meets Sudanese Foreign Minister
Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail to discuss how to reactivate the
peace process. Ismail also affirms that the Sudanese government
"is keen on hammering out a peaceful settlement for
the southern issue in order to reach reconciliation in the
country".
"Mubarek Meets with Sudanese
FM to Discuss Peace Plan", News Article by XINHUA,
13 June 2001
14 June 2001 Sudanese
President Omer al-Bashir names a new ministerial-level peace
advisor, Dr Ghazi Saleheddin Atabani, and a new minister
of information, Mahdi Ibrahim, reportedly reflecting the
government's desire to renew peace negotiations.
"Sudan Names New Peace,
Information Minister", News Article by Reuters, 15
June 2001
15 June 2001 The
Sudanese government appeals to the international community
to denounce the recent SPLA offensives in Sudan, and to
pressurise the rebels to accept a comprehensive cease fire.
"Sudanese Government
Urges Denouncement on Rebel Attacks", News Article
by XINHUA, 15 June 2001
16 June 2001 Sudanese
Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Sulaf al-Din Salih states
that some 15,000 people were still taking refuge from the
continued fighting in the western Bahr al-Ghazal region.
He also states that the rebel SPLA is threatening relief
flights to Au and Awl, the major towns in Bahr al-Ghazal.
At a press conference he states that "The rebel movement
is aggravating the humanitarian disaster" and calls
on the international community to "stop the inhuman
acts being perpetrated by the rebel movement" and for
the UN to "compel the rebel movement not to obstruct
humanitarian flights to Bahr al-Ghazal".
"Khartoum Says SPLA
Threatening Relief Flights", News Article by IRIN,
Nairobi, 16 June 2001
17 June 2001 Opposition
Umma Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi returns from his official
trip to America. He attacks the "great mobilisation
of American public opinion" against Sudan and its "futile
and wrong" backing of the SPLA. He further attacks
the SPLA's duplicity. He states: "What it is is that
the SPLA is seeking to escalate the war despite announcing
it wants peace."
"Sudanese Opposition
Leader Warns Against Lopsided US Policy on Sudan",
News Article by Associated Press, 17 June 2001
18 June 2001 Phelibe
Donoso, deputy head of delegation for Sudan of the International
Red Cross ICRC, states that a huge civilian population has
deserted the town of Raga in western Bahr al-Ghazal following
its capture by rebel SPLA forces.
"Civilians Free North
as SPLA Forces Recapture Town", News Article by Africa
Church Information Service, Nairobi, 18 June 2001
18 June 2001 At
his swearing in as Sudan's new Presidential Peace Advisor
Dr Ghazi Salehuddin Atabani states that the government has
lost hope in the present peace initiative. He praises government
attempts to unite all elements in Sudan and emphasises that
approaches to internal southern political forces "constitute
a major part in the realisation of peace in the country
and reactivation of government institutions that are concerned
or related to peace issues, such as the Coordinating Council
for Southern States".
Dr Atabani further states
that all concerned parties, whether internal or external,
and not just the SPLA, must be involved in the peace process.
He states that: "We are still trying to create a mechanism
on which all Sudanese can agree upon, and this mechanism
will include southerners, northerners and all political
or cultural bodies."
Commenting on United States
policy toward Sudan he also states that "[t]here exists
various extremist views in the US administration, and we
are trying to make the American stance positive on Sudan".
"Sudan Has Lost Hope
in Current Peace Initiatives, Presidential Adviser",
News Article by KHM, 18 June 2001
19 June 2001 The
United Nations and other relief agencies announce that they
have evacuated personnel from the Sudanese garrison town
of Wau, in the Bahr al-Ghazal region, due to the imminent
SPLA attack on the town.
"UN Staff Evacuated
From Garrison Town", News Article by IRIN, Nairobi,
19 June 2001
19 June 2001 The
SPLA claims to have captured a government military post
at Kalandi, in Deliny county, in the Nuba Mountains. A Sudanese
government spokesman, Muhammad Dirdiery, states that the
continued SPLA offensive in the Nuba mountains was in defiance
of all international efforts to bring peace to Sudan. "It
will prove to be futile" he adds.
"Government Says SPLA
Offensive 'Futile'", News Article by IRIN, Nairobi,
19 June 2001
19 June 2001 At
a six-day conference on peace in southern Sudan, Telar Deng,
New Sudan Council of Churches peace facilitator, states
that the struggle for power and divided interests amongst
the rebel movements in the south are the main obstacles
to unity and peace.
"Factions Accused of
Derailing Sudan Peace Efforts", News Article by Kenya
News Agency, 19 June 2001
22 June 2001 The
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs states that it is "deeply concerned" about
the massive displacement of the civilian population created
by the SPLA offensive in the western Bahr al-Ghazal region.
It further states that it is mobilising more resources to
assist the displaced. It announces that an emergency response
team in Khartoum is supporting the work of the Local Relief
Committee in El Daein and that a high-level delegation comprising
representatives from both the Sudanese government and the
UN are visiting the are to investigate and assess the response
to the crisis. The UN also states that the Sudanese government
is already providing assistance mainly through food distribution
and transport arrangements.
"'Deep Concern' Over
Bahr Al-Ghazal Displacement", News Article by IRIN,
Nairobi, 22 June 2001
25 June 2001 Sudanese
Foreign Minister Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail expresses the government's
hope that the opposition NDA leadership council meeting,
to be held the following day, would result in a clear and
unambiguous policy vision, in order to hasten the achievement
of a comprehensive political solution. He states that future
Sudanese government moves would depend on what emerges from
the NDA conference. He adds: "We do not want to prempt
the events, but we want to give the meeting ample opportunity."
"Government Hopping
for a 'Clear Vision' from Opposition, News Article by Al-Ra'y
al-Amm web site (Khartoum), 25 June 2001
26 June 2001 Sudanese
opposition leaders open a three-day conference in Cairo
which NDA spokesman Hatem al-Sirr Ali states is "the
last chance to reach a concrete proposal for coordinating
the two [peace] initiatives". The absence of the SPLA
leader John Garang from the conference is described by some
NDA leaders as undermining the chance of its success. The
conference appeals to the government "to step up efforts
to end this chain of violence and achieve a just peace that
would consolidate our national unity".
However, the SPLA representative
Nhail Deng asserts that Sudanese President al-Bashir "is
not serious. His only intention is to split the opposition
movement and maintain his military power". Umma Party
leader Sadiq al-Mahdi refuses to send representatives to
the meeting, which he claims is unlikely to result in much.
Instead he urges the remaining opposition parties to return
to Sudan to organise peacefully there.
"Sudanese Opposition
in 'Last Chance' for Coordinated Peace Proposals",
News Article by Agence France Presse, 26 June 2001; "Sudan's
Opposition Coalition Discuss Plans With Government",
News Article by Associated Press, 26 June 2001
26 June 2001 The
Egyptian and Libyan ambassadors hand the Sudanese government
and the opposition Umma Party a memorandum containing proposals
for reactivating the peace process. The memo is also simultaneously
handed to the rebel National Democratic Alliance in Cairo.
"Egypt, Libya Hand
Government, Opposition Peace Bid Proposals", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 26 June 2001
27-29 June 2001 At
its three-day conference of the NDA Mohammed Osman al-Mirghani,
Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Alliance
and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, affirms the
commitment of the NDA to a comprehensive political solution,
considering it as "the only option that would save
our country from the disaster of war and destruction".
He further attacks the IGAD peace negotiations as having
failed: "The IGAD proved its failure to bring about
a solution to the Sudanese problem when it completed its
12th round of talks without any notable progress."
He adds that although the joint Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative
has proved slow he "hope(s) that it will take off".
NDA leader Mohammed Osman
al-Mirghani and opposition Umma Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi
accept an Egyptian proposal to form a coalition government.
However the SPLA rejects the offer.
At its close the conference
"unanimously [approves] a new version of the Sudan
peace initiative" proposed by Egypt and Sudan, including
the "setting up of a national transition government,
with the participation of all Sudanese parties". The
NDA announces that it is drafting a response to the Egyptian-Libyan
initiative, requesting the inclusion of additional points
regarding the principles of self-determination and the separation
of state and religion. The NDA also states that it wants
the "formal unification" of the Egyptian-Libyan
initiative and the IGAD peace initiative.
"Mirghani Says Comprehensive
Political Solution Only Way to Bring Peace", News Article
by Al-Ra'y al-Amm (Khartoum), 27 June 2001; "Opposition
Leaders Disagree on Egypt's Proposal for Coalition Government",
Akhbar al-Yawm (Khartoum), 27 June 2001; "Sudanese
Opposition Backs Arab Peace Plan But Asks for More",
News Article by Agence France Presse, 29 June 2001
28 June 2001 Sudanese
President Omer al-Bashir pledges to establish peace in Sudan.
He states that: "This will be one of our greatest battles
in the new year.this mission requires the efforts of all
honest Sudanese citizens.We will reach peace whatever the
difficulties may be." The 1989 revolution, he further
states: "proposed reconciliation programmes to get
the country out of its previous experiences.We are seeking
a new political practice whereby all political forces would
join hands to build Sudan and achieve the country's goals
and interests."
Bashir also states Sudan's
eagerness to improve its relations with all countries: "We
are ready to establish positive relations with all countries
of the world based on mutual interests and non-interference
in the domestic affairs of any country."
"Sudan's Al-Bashir
Calls for Peace", News Article by UPI, 28 June 2001;
"Bashir to Devote Coming Year for Peace", News
Article by Agence France Presse, 29 June 2001
28 June 2001 The
Kenyan government officially invites the Sudanese government
and the rebel SPLA to form a permanent peace negotiating
committee in Nairobi. Kenyan diplomatic sources are quoted
as stating that the Kenyan government had started "activating
channels of contact" between the warring parties.
"Kenya Calls for Peace
Committee", News Article by IRIN, Nairobi, 28 June
2001
29 June 2001 The
New Sudan Council of Churches brokers a peace deal among
warring Nuer factions. At the end of a peace conference
in Kisumu, Kenya, 72 local Nuer leaders sign a declaration
uniting the two factions, the SPDF and the SSLM.
Amongst the resolutions
of the peace conference is a resolution calling for the
SPLM to "clarify its position particularly in blocking
participation of civilian participants to this conference
vis-à-vis the National Convention (1994), Civil Society
Conference (1996) and the SPLM-Church Dialogue (1997), and
the democratic participants espoused in these documents
concerning freedom of movement and assembly". The Conference
also urges the SPLA to take appropriate action to prevent
those Nuer who join its ranks from attacking their own people.
The SPLA refuses to attend
the Conference. The London-based Sudan Democratic Gazette
states that: "it is wrong for people like Garang
to prevent the people from attending a conference requested
by the people themselves. By doing this he is against the
will of the people. This is a crime against humanity and
this cannot be allowed to continue."
"Churches Make Progress
Towards Peace in Sudan", Press Release by Tear Fund,
London, 29 June 2001; "Rival Movements Now Call for
Cessation of Hostilities", News Article by Africa Church
Information Service, Nairobi, 2 July 2001; "Pull-Out
by Rebel Group 'Will Not Derail Peace Process'", News
Article by African Church Information Service, Nairobi,
2 July 2001
30 June 2001
Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir states that: "A national
council for peace will be formed to analyse the foreign
[peace] initiatives and make recommendations on them.Sudan's
biggest political battle in the next year of revolution
is the attainment of peace." President Bashir also
states that efforts to arrive at peace were "at a crossroads",
and that the peace council would work to develop a peace
plan "from inside the country".
President Bashir further
blames the rebel SPLA for the continuation of the war due
to their "repeated rejection of cease-fires".
"Sudan Forms Council
to Assess Peace Initiatives", News Article by Reuters,
30 June 2001; "Bashir Says Peace Process Has Reached
'Crossroads'", News Article by IRIN, Nairobi, 2 July
2001
1 July 2001 It
is reported that the National Democratic Alliance rejects
the Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative as a waste of time.
The NDA is reported as declaring that "[the] Egyptian-Libyan
peace proposal could not end the.18-year civil war because
it ignored key demands, including self-determination for
the country's southern population". In a press conference
NDA spokesman Pagan Amum declares that the NDA will not
accept any peace plan short of their specific demands. He
states: "We think the proposals are positive and forthcoming,
but we need to discuss these points with them [the Egyptian
and Libyan governments].The opposition leadership will not
accept any peace plan short of three key demands. These
[are]: (1) A Referendum on Self-Determination for Sudanese
living in the country's south; (2) Dismantling the country's
Islamic regime and drafting a new secular constitution and
(3) Forming a transitional government to prepare for free
and democratic elections."
Mohammed Osman al-Mirghani,
Chairman of the NDA and head of the Democratic Unionist
Party, also states that the Egyptian-Libyan proposal "lacks
specifics".
The NDA also points out
that "while the SPLA says it is willing to consider
the initiative, it has always favoured a peace plan made
by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development".
News Article by Associated
Press, 1 July 2001; "Sudanese Opposition Welcomes Peace
Plan", News Article by News24.za, 3 July 2001
3 July 2001 A
former rebel military leader, Commander Mohammed Ali Tiyah,
together with members of his forces, returns to Sudan. He
claims that the SPLA, to which he was formerly allied, has
been guilty of numerous human rights
violations and is effectively controlled by a foreign power.
He calls for other rebels to return to the homeland, work
for national unity and a negotiated peace.
"Rebel Commander Defects, Returns to Homeland",
News Article by SUNA, 3 July 2001
