| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER |
S U D A N : N E W S & V I E W S
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Issue No 11 31 August 1995
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+ 'Sudan News & Views' is an independent electronic Newsletter working+
+ to advocate peace, human rights and humanitarian aid for the Sudan. +
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+ * Editor: Dr. Yasin Miheisi * +
+ +
+ * Distribution is free of charge. +
+ * Reposting and reproduction are allowed (with acknowledgement). +
+ * To Subscibe send a message to yasin@dircon.co.uk +
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In this issue:
* MORE DIVISIONS AND FIGHTING IN SOUTHERN SUDAN
* RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS
* NDA PRESS CONFERENCE
* SUDAN AND UN
* ARAKIS ENERGY, ONCE MORE
* MORE OIL CONCESSIONS
* ECONOMIC POINTERS
* SHORT NEWS ITEMS
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* MORE DIVISIONS AND FIGHTING IN SOUTHERN SUDAN
A new splinter group from the SSIM (Southern Sudan Independence Movement) was announced on August 15. In a statement issued in Nairobi, Commander William Nyoun Bani, said he had formed a Provisional Executive Council for the SSIM under his leadership and had ousted Riak Machar. Bani accused Machar of 'obstructing efforts for the unification of Southern Sudan factions for purely personal reasons'. The new leadership, of 13 members, includes John Luk, Ben Oduho, D.K. Mathews, Stephen Doul, Peter Adwok Nyaba and Judge Maker Benjamin. The immediate objectives were stated as the continuation of the unification efforts to put a stop to the interfighting between Southern Sudanese factions.
John Luk, was the London representative of the SPLA (Sudan People's Liberation Army) in the early 90s. He joined the Nasir faction when Machar and Lam Akol split from John Garang. When Lam and Machar fell out, he was arrested by Machar in Watt under the suspicion of sympathizing with Lam Akol.
This announcement brings the number of factions in Southern Sudan to five, in addition to a number of individual commanders operating independently in areas in Southern Sudan under their control. A spokesman for SSIM described the incident as insignificant adding that it is only four members who defected while the others mentioned in the statement still work under the leadership of Machar and are not connected to this group.
On the other hand, the reconciliation meeting called for by USAP (Union of Sudan African Parties) to be held in Nairobi on 15 August, had been postponed to the 9th of October. No reasons for the postponement were given, but sources told SNV that the whole episode is shrouded by doubts and skepticism. The SSIM had doubts about the independence and non-alignment of the USAP, pointing out that the chairman of USAP, Alyaba Sarour, had recently joined the SPLA-main stream led by John Garang. While a spokesman for the SPLA said his movement was not informed about the meeting, a USAP spokesman said that Garang had laid out a condition that Machar be removed from the leadership of SSIM and be replaced by William Nyoun, before any reconciliation talks could start. SSIM responded that 'Garang does not want peace and his condition is a declaration of war against SSIM'. Sever fighting, however, had erupted between the two factions in the Ayod-Watt vicinity. SSIM said forces led by William Nyoun attacked its positions at Panyok. It appears that clashes were still continuing.
* RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS
In a step viewed by many as a bid to improve its image, the Sudanese Council for Security passed a resolution, on 23 August, to release all political detainees, and directed concerned authorities to take measures to implement the resolution within 72 hours. The meeting was chaired by President Omar el-Bashir. The statement issued by the council said that 'the National Salvation Revolution now feels secure from any threat and stands on solid ground'. The council also called for members of the opposition abroad to return home to contribute to the security and stability of the country.
On 26 August, the authorities announced it had released 32 political detainees including Sadig el- Mahdi, the former Prime Minister and leader of the Umma Party, held since 16 May '95. On August 30, the government declared the release of another 18 political prisoners. The Minister of Information, Abdel Basit Sabdarat, said that Sudan has now cleared all of its jails from political prisoners. However, many human rights organisations estimated the detainees to exceed this number by far. The move was seen by many observers as an attempt to pacify the opposition and Western governments, who constantly attacked the Sudanese government human rights record.
President Bashir also told a rally of 30,000 new graduates of the PDF (Popular Defence Forces - a government militia) in El-Obied in Western Sudan, that parliamentary and presidential elections will take place next year. He did not, however, specify a particular date nor did he say whether he will stand in the presidential elections. Elections had been promised before in 1994, but did not take place without any reasons or explanations given.
* NDA PRESS CONFERENCE
The NDA (National Democratic Alliance), an umbrella organisation for Sudanese opposition parties and trade unions, held a press conference in London on 24 August. The conference was opened by a speech by Bona Malwal in which he briefed the media on the issues discussed and agreements reached in the NDA conference in Asmara in June '95.
Mubarak El-Mahdi, Secretary General of the NDA, addressed the most recent political developments in Sudan; mainly the announcement of the Sudanese government of the release of political detainees, and the government's involvement in supporting terrorism. He said the release of political detainees does not mean that the regime had relaxed its stronghold, because the same laws and decrees that allow the detention of anybody at any time, without judicial proceedings, still exist, and basic human rights and freedoms continue to be denied.
El-Mahdi also presented names and photographs of Sudanese nationals, whom he claimed had participated in the plotting and execution of the assassination attempt against the Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, in Addis Ababa in June '95. He added that the recent changes in the leadership of the security organisations and the imposition of entry visas for Arab travelers to Sudan are 'only for local consumption and a pre-emptive move against possible international measures against the regime for its support and harbouring of terrorism'.
* SUDAN AND UN
The Foreign Minister, Ali Osman Taha, told reporters in a press conference held in Khartoum on 30 August, that Sudan had decided to boycott the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. He said the decision was taken to express Sudan's dissatisfaction with the UN in its failure to keep international peace and security, and its inability to carry out its duties in stopping the massacres in Bosnia. He said the UN took a negative stance regarding the ethnic cleansing campaign faced by the Bosnian people. He asserted Sudan's strong condemnation of the violations of international charters which are supposed to be protected by the UN.
Justice Minister and Attorney General, Abdel Aziz Shiddu, called on the UN rapportuer on human rights to play an effective role concerning the situation of human rights in Bosnia.
* ARAKIS ENERGY, ONCE MORE
Arakis company is becoming increasingly topical and continue to make headlines. Since our last issue of 15 August, many developments has taken place. On 16 August, both the British Columbia Securities Commission and the Vancouver Stock Exchange, expressed concerns about the company's disclosure on its $750m financing deal with AGI (Arab Group International). The securities regulatory body started investigating whether Arakis properly disclosed the financing package.
Many press reports also questioned the credibility of the promoters and of AGI, which was mainly involved in transportation and real estate in Sudan and had a shrimp farm on the red sea. There were even claims that the promotion is being used as a conduit to fund Islamic extremists by making payments to bogus charities in Sudan. Terry Alexander, chairman of Arakis, responded that 'Muslim fundamentalists are like everyone else, and those who speak ill of them have a cultural bias'.
On 22 August, however, both the Vancouver Stock Exchange and Nasdaq ordered a trading halt on Arakis shares, after the company disclosed that the proposed $750m package would include only $40m cash component, instead of the previously-announced $345m in cash. The remaining part will be made up of either goods or equipment and letters of credit. The new arrangement is said to be not conforming to the Exchange's requirements for private placement of shares.
* MORE OIL CONCESSIONS
The Sudanese Minister of Energy, Awad Ahmed El-Jazz, had signed an agreement in mid-August with the chairman of Qatar Petroleum Company, Abdel Aziz Hamad El-Daylami, to establish Gulf Oil - Sudan, to develop oil fields in Upper Nile Province in Southern Sudan.
The Qatari company will lay out 60% of the capital for the joint venture, while both the privately- owned Sudanese construction company, ConCorp, and the previously-unknown Sudanese National Oil Company will contribute 20% each.
El-Daylami, General Manager of the new company, said his company will start operation in Malut area in Upper Nile after the end of the rainy season in October this year. He said the company will spend $12 million initially and expects a production of 5,000 barrels of oil per day.
* ECONOMIC POINTERS
[] Postage tariff was increased by 20%, for the second time in one year. A local post stamp now costs 150 SP (Sudanese Pound), 250 SP for Arab countries, and 300 SP for other countries.
[] A report by the Statistics Department of the Ministry of Finance claimed that the rate of inflation in Sudan had come down to 54% in July, compared to 55% in June. The report said price increases in commodities and services are also less that the previous month. During the month of July, transportation costs increased by 66%, wheat by 33% and meat by 3%.
[] It has been reported that Khartoum is facing the most serious bread shortage in years. The price of bread had been increased and the size reduced. International prices of wheat had increased recently by 33%. The authorities in Khartoum now provide for only half of the total daily consumption of 1,000 tons. The price of wheat flour in the local market jumped from 8,200 SP per 50kg sack to 13,000 SP.
[] Sudan had banned the Nigerian Airlines from flying over its territory. The reason for the ban was stated as the failure of the Nigerians to pay a debt of $2million.
* SHORT NEWS ITEMS
- Sudan Airways had suspended its flights between Johannesburg and London Gatwik via Khartoum, leaving hundreds of ticket-holders stranded. It was later revealed that Sudan Air had allowed a South African company, Air Liason, to use its dormant traffic rights between South Africa and the UK. The flights were run twice weekly using a Swedish chartered plane. Air Liason, which had previously been investigated for alleged financial irregularities, ran into financial difficulties and had to cease operation. Sudan Air officials said they will sue the company for damages. Air Liason denies any responsibility and claims that according to the agreement, all passenger liabilities are the responsibility of Sudan Airways. It added that the contract to operate the flights was awarded to the Swedish company and they had only bought seats on these flights.
- The Ministry of Health had revealed that the epidemic spread of Malaria had increased significantly. The number of people who contacted Malaria in one month (June '95) was 19,373 and the number of deaths due to the disease reached 60. The report said these figures represent reported cases only which in turn represent about 35% of the total. The report attributed the failure in combating Malaria to lack of sufficient funds for the Ministry of Health and the marked deterioration in sanitation and other health services.
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Message-Id: <199510092227.SAA26119@orion.sas.upenn.edu>
Date: Mon, 9 Oct 1995 22:51:31 +0100
From: Yasin Miheisi <yasin@DIRCON.CO.UK>
Subject: Sudan News & Views - 11
Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar
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