The quest for peace in Sudan was the subject of numerous diplomatic conversations this summer. A forum (1) with the same aim took place in Milan, 17-18 September. Among those present were many members of opposition groups including some from within the country ; Vigilance Sudan also present admired their courage.

Till now the only meetings had been between the Khartoum government and the SPLM within the framework of the IGAD that comprises Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Erythrea. In 1994, IGAD by its Declaration of Principles recommended a united, secular, democratic Sudan, failing this, autodetermination for Southern Sudan with a possibility of independence.

After refusing these principles, the Sudanese governmeent accepted them in 1997. In the meantime the situation had changed. In North Sudan the Nuba of Kordofan, the Ingessana of Blue Nile and the Beja of the Red Sea hills (2) had all rebelled. Abroad, all the parties formed before the putsch, except the Islamists, had grouped together with the SPLM within the NDA that had accepted the famous Declaration of Principles and had opened a military front. The Sudanese government had seen its hopes of petroleum production materialize and had signed a "peace accord" with former rebel leaders.

The straightforwardness of the governement acceptance of IGAD principles may still need to be demonstrated. According to the 1998 constitution that does not mention Islam, the country is supposedly already democratic and secular. A former vice-president of the Republic -magistrate at the Hague- Abel Alier, notes that even without that word it is an islamic constitution. While research worker Azza Anis stresses that the word jihad is clearly stated in the Arabic text and is translated by "strife" in the English version (3) In the meantime the referendum on autodetermination promised in 1996 is no more mentioned.

Meanwhile the SPLM had increased its demands. It insists on the immediate establishment of two confederated states, one of which would be a vast southern state including its Nuba and Ingessane allies ...
Although the July IGAD meeting brought no new elements this Summer was rich in events. Sadiq el Mahdi, an important member of the NDA met his brother-in-law Tourabi who is president of the National Assembly (4). Egypt and Libya offered to mediate for national reconciliation. For 5.000 years, Egypt has been dreading the loss ot the waters of the Nile. Now it fears that a referendum on autodetermination will herald a new State and renegotiation on the sharing of the Nile while at present it has the lion's share. With the end of the embargo against Libya, Khaddafi might return as a elderly sage on the international scene. As a primary measure Libya suggested a general cease-fire, a halt to press campaigns (5) then a general preparatory meeting preceding a conference of reconciliation. The government accepts, the SPLM within the NDA refuses : such a conciliation would be useless because this is the reason for IGAD. However, the Northern parties lay down conditions in disaccord with the government. They might possibly agree at the end. Such a restrictive meeting would perhaps mean the end of NDA..

Then  again what kind of peace can be contemplated without political will on all sides. As Adlan Hardallo, a lecturer at Khartoum university has said : the culture of jihad needs to be turned into a culture of peace. He adds : each group seems to have a hidden aim. The government appears conciliatory but plays for time until those days when it becomes a powerful petrol producer, then it will have its hands free; its ultimate aim is forced arabization and islamization. As for the SPLM, it wants a secular state, knowing that the government will not accept it ; its real aim becomes a more et less complete partition. The large Northern parties state they want a pluralistic society ; they know they would win free elections. Would they be in search of power ?

Amidst these pessimistic notes Abel Alier advises concentrating on the interim period and attempts to calm he impatient Nuba by saying that when there is peace in the South each party will more easily see its rights recognized.

During the Milan Forum an anguished cry was heard : "The West managed to put an end to apartheid in South Africa why can they not instigate a just peace in Sudan ?

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1 - This forum was organized by the  NGOS Caritas, Mani Tese, Pax Christi ... That is where we met Mrs Arza Anis, M. Abel Alier, Adlan Hardallo and many others. The conclusions of the forum will be published on our web site and in our news sheet.

2. The Beja are nomadic muslims living in the hills of the Red Sea region from time immemorial and speak a non semitic language. Their political consciousness took birth in 1986 embodied in the Beja Congress which was banned when the putsch took place. Their rebellion appears to have two causes :

   a) the present regime prevents transhumance across borders and compells to remain around towns  where there is no pasture for their herds ;

   b) When Ussama ben Laden was protected by Khartoum, the State granted him a "lifetime" lease of irrigated lots in the Gash delta while the traditional farmers were expelled.

3. Azza Anis gives a further example of biaised translation. The "right of tawali" - continuous right, which has absolutely no juridical meaning - in English it becomes right of association.

4. See the article in the Indian Ocean letter………………

5. The AFP telegram of 30 August shows that President Beschir does little to apply this advice.