15 September 2001 Following
meetings with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Mahir, Umma
Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi states that he has no reservations
regarding the joint Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative.
"Mehdi Says No Reservations
to Egyptian Libyan Initiative", News Article by KUNA,
15 September 2001
15 September 2001 Al-Haj
Osman Bello, Nigerian Ambassador to Sudan states that invitations
are extended to all southern Sudanese leaders inside and
outside Sudan and inside and outside the government to attend
the third Abuja peace conference. He also states that following
a meeting between John Garang and Nigerian President Obasanjo
Garang and the SPLA will also attend the conference.
"Nigeria to Hold Conference
for Boosting Peace and Accord in Sudan", News Article
by SUNA, 15 September 2001
18 September 2001 The
Sudanese government begins studying plans put forward by
the Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative for a peace conference
between the government and opposition forces.
"Sudan Studies Egyptian-Libyan
Peace Conference Plans", News Article by Agence France
Presse, 18 September 2001
18 September 2001 Africa
Analysis magazine reports that SPLA leader John Garang
is "nervous" about the scheduled southern Sudanese
leadership conference due to be held in Abuja under Nigerian
auspices. The journal reports that:
"A number of the southern
leaders are.keen to demonstrate that Garang does not represent
the south and that there are others - who cannot be described
as government 'puppets' - who are better placed to serve
the interests of the southern Sudanese. Many in southern
Sudan also feel that Garang.is leading them nowhere and
lacks a clear focus on Sudan's future."
"Garang Walks a Tightrope",
Africa Analysis (London), 18 September 2001
18 September 2001 Uganda
reopens its embassy in Khartoum by the end of September,
furthering the process of restoring diplomatic ties which
were severed in 1995.
"Uganda Reopen Embassy
in Sudan After Six Years", News Article by Reuters,
18 September 2001
24 September 2001 The
Sudanese government announces that it plans to call a reconciliation
conference early in October, based on the Egyptian-Libyan
peace initiative.
"Sudan Plans to Hold
Peace Conference: Official", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 24 September 2001
25 September 2001 The
Sudanese government and the European Union call for a joint
fight against terrorism as they proceed with a two-year
dialogue to improve ties. The two sides also renew their
condemnation of the "criminal terrorist" attacks
on New York and Washington. Sudanese Foreign Ministry Under-Secretary
Mutruf Siddeiq also briefs the EU on the peace process and
calls on the EU to continue its support for the peace process
and to helping to find ways to end "the destructive
long-running war".
"Sudan. EU Back Joint
Fight Against Terror, Discuss Sudanese Peace Bids",
News Article by Agence France Presse, 25 September 2001
25 September 2001 A
document purporting to be an account of meetings in Nigeria
between SPLA leader John Garang, Southern opposition leader
Bona Malwal of the Civic Forum and Nigerian President Obasango
is leaked by SPLA representative Baak Wol. The document
reveals that Bona Malwal accused Garang and the SPLA of
not "negotiating with the [Khartoum] government in
good faith". It further claims that Garang persuaded
both the Nigerian President and Malwal that the proposed
third "South-South Dialogue/Conference" conference
scheduled to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, should be permanently
shelved.
Garang is also quoted as
stating that although the SPLA was "committed to a
negotiated political settlement and peaceful resolution
of the conflict.such negotiations must lead to the dismantling
of the NIF regime". Although claiming that Malwal agreed
to this permanent shelving of the plans for a third Southern
conference, it also calls for its supporters "to please
boycott the all (sic) Civic Forum's Abuja Preparatory Meetings,
as they are of no useful purpose".
"No Need for a 'South-South
Dialogue/Conference' At This Time", by Baak Wol, SPLA
Office, London, 25 September 2001
26 September 2001 Both
the opposition Umma Party and the National Democratic Alliance
state that they will consult other concerned parties in
order to draw up their responses for a proposed national
peace conference under the Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative.
"Sudanese Opposition
Parties to Consult Over Proposed National Conference",
News Article by PANA 26 September 2001
28 September 2001 The
United Nations Security Council agreed to immediately remove
diplomatic sanctions it imposed on Sudan on 26 April 1996.
The United States chose not to block the move, abstaining
on the vote. The Sudanese Information Minister, Mahdi Ibrahim
stated: "The decision returns to Sudan its honour and
real face, which was distorted by charges of terrorism that
had nothing in common with Sudan and its people."
"Security Council Lifts
Five-Year-Old Sudan Sanctions", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 28 September 2001; "Sudan Welcomes Lifting
of Sanctions", News Article by Reuters, 29 September
2001
28 September 2001 The
SPLA accuses the Sudanese government of frustrating efforts
to end the civil war by postponing indefinitely its participation
in the IGAD peace negotiations scheduled for 24 September
to 6 October. It claims that "the government of Sudan
is backing away from IGAD's peace process in preference
to other initiatives that do not address the root causes
of war.The responsibility of continuing the war and prolonging
the suffering of the Sudanese people therefore rests squarely
on the doorstep of the National Islamic Front junta in Khartoum".
"SPLA/M Accuses Khartoum
of Frustrating Peace Efforts", News Article by IRIN,
Nairobi, 28 September 2001
29 September 2001 The
Sudanese government denies SPLA allegations that it was
responsible for the postponement of the scheduled IGAD peace
negotiations and was in Nairobi and labels them "vexatious
rumours".
"Sudan Govt Denies
Responsibility for Peace Talks Postponement", News
Article by Agence France Presse, 29 September 2001
2 October 2001 The
Sudanese Presidential Adviser on Peace Affairs Dr Ghazi
Saleheddin Atabani meets with Kenyan President Daniel arap
Moi to discuss the scheduled IGAD peace negotiations. He
states:
"I reiterated the commitment
of the Sudanese government to the IGAD peace process and,
at the same time, emphasised the importance of seeing the
process rejuvenated and energised to assume the role it
was expected to undertake. The permanent negotiations, which
are about to start, are at a crucial stage of the whole
IGAD peace process.The credibility of the process, as well
as that of the mediators and the parties, is crucially at
stake. Practically, we are left with only one option, namely,
to succeed."
"Sudan's Special Peace
Envoy Holds Talks With Moi", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 2 October 2001; "IGAD Peace Process
'Crucial' for Sudan: Official", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 1 October 2001
6 October 2001 Sudanese
Presidential Peace Advisor Dr Ghazi Saleheddin Atabani states
that the Sudanese government will give the IGAD peace initiative
a "last chance":
"We have told IGAD
chairman, President Daniel arap Moi, of our decision to
grant IGAD one last chance in its bid for an end to the
war and for reaching peace. The forthcoming round of talks
will be a decisive one.The government has become fed up
with the failure by IGAD initiative to reach positive results
in eight years. IGAD partners have not exercised any pressure
on the rebel movement, casting doubts on their intentions".
"Sudan Government to
Give IGAD Peace Move a 'Last Chance'", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 6 October 2001
7 October 2001 The
rebel South Sudan People's Forces (SSPF) deputy chief of
staff, Commander James Yiel Biet (who joined the armed struggle
in 1975) defects and joins government forces in Nasir Province
in Upper Nile State. In a statement he explains that his
defection is motivated by a desire to realise peace in southern
Sudan. He states that there is a lack of clear vision on
the issue of peace in the south. However, he also declares
that self-determination is the aspiration of the southern
people and that "separation" is the key to peace.
"Southern Senior Commander
Defects to Government Forces", News Article by The
Khartoum Monitor, 7 October 2001
7 October 2001 The
National Democratic Alliance demands the formation of a
transitional government before it agrees to a national reconciliation
conference. Such a transitional government should then determine
the agenda, participants, venue and date of such a conference.
"Sudan Opposition Demands
Transitional Government Before Peace Conference", News
Article by Agence France Presse, 7 October 2001
8 October 2001 Sudanese
president Omer al-Bashir sends his peace advisor Dr Ghazi
Salehuddin Atabani with a message on the peace process to
Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo. Minister of State
for Peace Dhieu Mathok says that the message "will
inform Obasanjo about the latest developments in the Sudanese
peace process in the light of the IGAD and the Libyan-Egyptian
peace initiatives in Sudan.Atabani's talks will also concentrate
on the peace process in view of President Obasanjo's concern
with the issue and his sponsorship of the upcoming conference
of southern politicians".
"Bashir Sends Peace
Adviser to Abuja", News Article by PANA, 7 October
2001
11 October 2001 It
is announced that IGAD envoys will go to Khartoum later
in the month to discuss the forthcoming IGAD talks. The
Sudanese Ambassador in Kenya declares that "the government
of Sudan welcomes the envoys visit to Khartoum and reiterates
its position of giving the IGAD Peace Process one more chance
to reach a final settlement of the dispute". An Embassy
spokesman also declares that: "The main challenge which
the IGAD envoys are going to face . is to convince the rebel
SPLM/A to change its agenda of using the IGAD negotiations
to dismantle the government, to an agenda of negotiating
in good faith."
"Consultations on Sudan
Peace Process to Start in Late October", News Article
by XINHUA, 11 October 2001; "Sudan: Khartoum Prepares
to Give IGAD 'One More Chance'", News Article by IRIN,
Nairobi, 11 October 2001
13 October 2001 Umma
Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi states that his party has intensified
its contacts with political forces concerned with the preliminary
peace conference, including the National Democratic Alliance.
"Umma Party Intensifying
Contacts Ahead of Preliminary Peace Conference",
Al-Khartoum, 13 October 2001, p. 1
14 October 2001 Former
Sudanese head of state Ahmed al-Mirghani (whose brother
heads the opposition Democratic Unionist Party), returns
from exile to Sudan.
"Former Sudan Head
of State Plans Return from Exile", News Article by
Reuters, 14 October 2001
15 October 2001 The
SPLA admits that its forces have made a tactical withdrawal
from the western Bahr al-Ghazal town of Raga, but claims
to be re-deploying around the town. In an official statement
the SPLA spokesman Samson Kwaje accuses the Khartoum government
of "escalating the conflict through barbaric and indiscriminate
bombing".
"Press Release: SPLA
Withdraws From Raga", Dr Samson L. Kwaje, SPLA Spokesman,
Nairobi, 15 October 2001
17 October 2001 Returning
from an official trip to Brussels, Sudanese Foreign Minister
Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail states that the Sudanese government
will soon reach an agreement with the European Union on
the normalisation of bilateral relations, including the
removal of EU economic sanctions against Sudan. A detailed
working programme for the renewal of relations between the
EU and Sudan is currently being prepared by the Sudanese
embassy in Brussels in consolation with the European Commission.
"Sudan, EU to Normalise
Relations", News Article by PANA, 17 October 2001
21 October 2001 The
SPLA states it has successfully attacked the government-held
town of Bentiu, capital of Unity State, an oil producing
area, together with other targets. It claims to have killed
400 government troops and to have destroyed the premises
of a number of oil companies. It also states: "The
SPLA renews its call to oil companies to withdraw before
it is too late from the oil-producing areas which are legitimate
military targets."
The Sudanese government
claims that the attacks were repulsed and that seven civilians
were killed by the rebels.
"Seven People Killed
in Attack on Bentiu", News Article by Agence France
Presse, 20 October 2001; "Sudan Rebels Say They Attacked
Oil Region Capital", News Article by Reuters, 21 October
2001
22 October 2001 Umma
Party political bureau member Dr Adam Musa Madibo states
that the Umma Party has agreed to participate in the National
Peace Council set up by the Sudanese government.
However, Ali Mahmud Hassanain,
a member of the political bureau of the Democratic Unionist
Party, rejects participation in the National Peace Council.
He claims that the Council is part and parcel of the government
system and will never resolve the civil war. He further
stresses that peace will only be attained through the IGAD
and Egyptian-Libyan peace initiatives.
"Opposition Parties
React to Proposal on Representation at Peace Council",
News Article by The Khartoum Monitor, 22 October
2001
25 October 2001 French
Minister for Cooperation Charles Josselin ends a two-day
visit to Khartoum. He states that the two countries have
agreed to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and
urges both sides in the civil war to reach an agreement
about an immediate cease-fire.
"French Minister Calls
for Cease-Fire in Sudan", News Article by PANA, 25
October 2001
27 October 2001 Leaders
of the Democratic Unionist Party gather in Cairo for a two-day
conference to resolve party policy and establish unity prior
to an other extraordinary conference of the party.
"Opposition Democratic
Unionist Party Officials to Meet in Cairo", News Article
by Al-Ra'y al-Amm (Khartoum), 27 October 2001
30 October 2001 Following
the departure of the US State Department delegation, Minister
of State Dhieu Mathok states that "the delegation was
appraised of the government's willingness for a peaceful
option". Government sources are also reported as stating
that they believe the US is serious about finding an end
to the civil war.
"US Sincere in Seeking
End to Sudan Civil War: Khartoum Official", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 30 October 2001
31 October 2001 During
a visit to Egypt to prepare for US Special Envoy to Sudan
John Danforth's forthcoming visit to Sudan, US official
Charles Schneider states that the Danforth was not promoting
a new peace initiative and that it was up to the parties
concerned to decide how to proceed with the IGAD initiative
and the Egyptian-Libyan initiative. He states: "We're
not going to pick among the initiatives. It's for the African
to decide among themselves".
Schneider also describes
the Egyptian-Libyan initiative as "helpful" and
states that: "Unless we have a lot of cooperation from
people like the government of Egypt, our ability to do good
is very much more limited because we don't understand the
subtleties." He further states the US government is
"willing to take a fresh look at our relationship with
Sudan in order to make progress at all the things that are
important to us".
Following a meeting with
the delegation preparing for the forthcoming visit by the
US special envoy to Sudan John Danforth, Egyptian Foreign
Minister Ahmed Maher states that "[a]ny effort to settle
the Sudanese problem must be based on the basis of Sudan's
unity".
"US Pushing No New
Peace Initiative for Sudan: Official", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 31 October 2001; "Egypt Says
Any Sudan Peace Must Preserve Unity", News Article
by Reuters, 31 October 2001
31 October 2001 Following
a meeting with a US State Department delegation concerned
with US peace envoy John Danforth's forthcoming visit to
Sudan, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Mahir states that:
"Any effort to settle the Sudanese problem must be
based on the basis of Sudan's unity."
"Egypt Says Any Sudan
Peace Must Preserve Unity", News Article by Reuters,
31 October 2001
2 November 2001 Sudanese
Health Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman echoes the call made by
UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Kenzo
Oshima when he visited Sudan in September for a cease-fire
for five days every month in southern Sudan to allow the
campaign for polio eradication to proceed. Bilal also states
that: "The ministry of health is waiting for the response
of the rebel movement during the next two days to the call
by voluntary organisations for a ceasefire."
"Khartoum Calls for
Polio Campaign Cease-Fire", News Article by IRIN, Nairobi,
2 November 2001 at http://allafrica.com/stories/20011102043.html;
"Sudan Wants Ceasefire in South for Polio Campaign",
News Article by Reuters, 30 October 2001
3 November 2001 Nigerian
President Olusegun Obasanjo states that Nigeria is due to
host a further peace conference in Abuja.
"Nigeria to Host Sudan
Peace Conference", News Article by XINHUA, 3 November
2001
6 November 2001 Sudanese
President Omer al-Bashir announces that leading opposition
figure and former member of the council of state Ahmed al-Mirghani
(brother of Mohammed Osman al-Mirghani, Chairman of the
National Democratic Alliance) together with other members
of the Democratic Unionist Party, will be returning to Sudan
after twelve years of exile. He reveals that the Sudanese
embassy in Cairo has been instructed to offer al-Mirghani
"all facilities required for his return as a national
symbol and in recognition of his efforts for peace and reconciliation".
"Beshir Welcomes Return
of Sudanese Opposition Figure", News Article by Agence
France Presse, 6 November 2001
6 November 2001 The
Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Abdelrahim Khali, states
that a peace conference - organised by Nigerian President
Obasanjo - will take place in Abuja next week., to include
representatives of the Sudanese government, all opposition
and rebel, factions as well as SPLA leader John Garang,
and aiming at finding a comprehensive and binding agreement
on all parties. Ambassador Khali states: "With the
interest shown by President Obasanjo, he is the right person
to ensure that peace is finally achieved in the Sudan."
"Abuja Hosts Khartoum
Conference", The Daily Trust (Nairobi), 6 November
2001
7 November 2001 In
a press conference in Nairobi Riek Machar, leader of the
rebel Sudan People's Democratic Front , criticises the Egyptian-Libyan
peace initiative for not properly addressing the issue of
self-determination for the south. He states: "The people
of southern Sudan have already stated that, if peace is
to be attained, let them exercise the right to self-determination."
He further argues that the initiative is "an attempt
to sabotage the IGAD process. Why waste resources on an
initiative that will not work".
Machar also says that although
the attempt in May to merge his SPDF with John Garang's
SPLA had failed the two groups had "unity of purpose"
and agreed on the issue of self-determination.
"Sudanese Rebel Leader
Denounces Egyptian-Libyan Peace Bid", News Article
by Agence France Presse, 7 November 2001
7 November 2001 Former
Sudanese head of state Ahmed al-Mirghani (who left Sudan
when the current President Omer al-Bashir seized power in
1989), deputy head of the Democratic Unionist Party, and
brother of its leader, reveals that he plans to return to
Sudan within a few days. He states: "I cannot say that
I am carrying a specific project or an agreement that will
bring about a solution or that I can make any promises or
pledges. But I come with hope, intent and serious desire
to work in the service of the country."
"Former Sudan Head
of State to Return From Exile", News Article by Reuters,
7 November 2001
8 November 2001 Former
Sudanese head of state Ahmed al-Mirghani returns to Sudan,
together with a number of senior officials of the Democratic
Unionist Party. He is greeted by thousands of supporters
as well as by senior government officials.
Sudanese President Omer
al-Bashir describes Mirghani as "a symbol of state"
and acknowledges his efforts at unifying Sudan. Al-Mirghani
states that he is "returning to Sudan under the present
margin of democracy for maintaining and developing it and
to work for halting the bloodshed, enhancing national unity
and speeding up the comprehensive political settlement".
A senior Democratic Unionist
Party official, Ali Ahmed al-Sayyed, also states that al-Mirghani
is returning as part of "the party's denunciation of
violence and its strenuous efforts at achieving national
reconciliation and peace as a step for reaching democracy".
He further states that al-Mirghani's return may help in
accelerating the pace of national reconciliation provided
that the Sudanese government "is committed to its pledge
of a political openness" towards political parties.
Another DUP spokesman denies
that al-Mirghani's return was a prelude to the return of
his brother DUP leader Mohammed Osman al-Mirghani, who has
previously said that he would return once a comprehensive
political settlement is reached.
"Thousands of Sudanese
Cheer Opposition Leader's Return From 12-Year Exile",
News Article by Agence France Presse, 8 November 2001
9 November 2001
The United Nations General Assembly discusses the report
on human rights in Sudan prepared by Special Rapporteur
of the Commission on Human Rights Gerhart Baum. Baum states
that the human rights situation in Sudan continued to be
a matter of serious concern, in spite of improvements and
efforts toward democratisation. Baum does state that it
was not true, as some Christian fundamentalist argue, that
the Sudanese civil war was a religious war. There was no
systematic suppression of Christian churches in Sudan.
The Sudanese government
"reaffirmed its commitment to promote and protect human
rights and fundamental freedoms.[and was] fully committed
to working with the Special Rapporteur". It reminded
the Assembly that the "root causes [of continued problems]
were found in the ongoing conflict in southern Sudan.[and
the Government] was ready to renew its acceptance to an
immediate and comprehensive cease-fire to put an end to
the conflict".
Sudan also responds to claims
regarding civilian bombing casualties: "Civilian casualties
due to bombings were the result of the continuous use by
the rebels of civilian premises for military purposes."
It further responds to the Rapporteur's claim that oil development
had had a negative impact on human rights in Sudan. Oil
revenues were being used to improve the infrastructure and
social services throughout the country, particularly in
the south. It also reaffirms its opposition to abduction
in the south, and was "working hard to counter such
activities".
"Questions Raised in
Third Committee [Social, Humanitarian and Cultural] Regarding
Sudan's Use of Oil Revenues; Special Rapporteur's Query
At Issue", Fifty-Sixth General Assembly, GA/SHC/3658,
Third Committee, 34th Meeting (PM), at www.reliefweb.int
9 November 2001 Nigerian
President Olusegun Obasanjo calls on the Organisation
of African Unity to back his Sudan peace initiative conference
in Abuja. The OAU expresses "solidarity" with
the initiative. However, it is also reported that the conference
has been postponed indefinitely.
"Nigeria Asks for OAU
Backing for New Sudan Peace Plan", News Article by
Agence France Presse, 9 November 2001; "Sudan: Confusion
Over Nigerian Peace Efforts", News Article by IRIN,
Nairobi, 9 November 2001; "Sudan Peace Talks in Nigeria
Indefinitely Postponed; Report", News Article by Associated
Press, 8 November 2001
9 November 2001 Opposition
leader Ahmed al-Mirghani returns to Sudan, where he greeted
by Sudanese government representatives. Al-Mirghani states
that "dialogue is the only successful means to achieve
national accord".
"Sudanese Welcome Home
Ex-President", News Article by Associated Press, 9
November 2001
15 November 2001 The
scheduled Abuja peace conference organised by Nigerian President
Obasanjo is postponed indefinitely, reportedly because of
the failure of the Nigerian government to persuade all the
interested groups to attend.
"Khartoum Peace Conference
Postponed", The Daily Trust (Abuja), 15 November
2001
11 November 2001 Sudanese
Presidential Advisor on Peace Dr Ghazi Saleheddin Atabani
denies allegations that there are disagreements between
Sudan and Nigeria regarding the convening of a peace conference.
He states that consultations between the two countries are
underway to determine the issues to be discussed.
Sudanese Ambassador to Nigeria
Abdel Khalil commends Nigeria's attempts to arrange a peace
conference. He states: "With the commitment of [President]
Obasanjo, who is fully abreast of Sudan's running civil
war [the Sudanese government] was optimistic that his efforts
would be fruitful." Ambassador Khalil further affirms
the Sudanese government's commitment to a peaceful settlement
of the civil war and appeals to the rebels to come to the
negotiating table: "After several decades of war, it
should be clear to those groups still against peace in the
Sudan that nothing could be achieved through war, and that
every effort should be made to stop the war.All the necessary
guarantees are there that any agreement reached would be
faithfully implemented. So, I don't see any justification
in continued fighting. It would only cause more suffering
for the people, especially in the southern part of the country."
"Nigeria's Peace Efforts in Sudan Commended",
News Article by XINHUA, 11 November 2001
