Background:
In an FPA press conference, ʿAlī ʿUthmān Ṭaha, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sudan (1995-1998) elaborates on the achievements of the government since the 1989 coup. He gives an opening statement and then answers to questions related to the country's relations with other countries and its role on protecting human rights.
Side A:
The minister mentions the issues facing the government in Sudan and its goals in building a political system that promotes mass participation and other principles to build a modern Sudan. Developmental issues in Sudan are achieving a level of success as it has moved from the level of self-sufficiency to offering assistance to its neighbors that undergo wars. It has created "Operation Life Line Sudan" in alliance with United Nations to help refugees return back to their home countries and to restore peace. Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is an organization of six Eastern-African countries that focuses on development. IGAD countries are headed by Kenya to negotiate with the armed groups; Sudan accepts IGAD's peace initiative and seeks the help of other countries to restore peace as they are part of the problem by hosting refugees.
Sudan's relationship with its neighbors is built on respect, the relationship is even strengthened, however; it has problems with countries as Egypt and Eritrea. The relationship between Egypt and Sudan is not very stable as Ḥalayib (a part of the Egyptian territory) is geographically part of Sudan. After the independence of Sudan, the problem escalated. He stressed that the dispute would never escalate to breaking the political ties between the two countries.
The relationship between Sudan and Eritrea, Sudan hosted many people from the population during a period of time when Sudan wasn't even that stable, but Eritrea allegedly supported the rebel group in South Sudan. According to Ṭaha, the Sudanese government would never approve of groups that work on jeopardizing stability in Eritrea. He referred to the relationship with the international community; Sudan seeks international peace that would maintain a just international community.
Ṭaha responded to questions regarding Somalia, Nūba Mountains, and relations with the Western world. Sudan tried to offer humanitarian assistance and utilize their good relationships with the different sectors and reach out to the neighboring countries.
Nūba Mountains that encompass different tribes that lived in peace till rebel groups appeared, however peace has been lately restored as schools were reopened and the government worked on the agricultural problems. According to Ṭaha, there is no discrimination in this place; Christians practice their religion freely.
When asked about Sudan's international isolation due to the human rights situations and the violations and the relations with the West, Ṭaha described these sanctions of Sudan as a justification for other purposes campaign made on Sudan. They are trying to maintain basic human rights.
The government has offered 33,000 opportunities for college education and has set a date for achieving the obligatory education. Participation and freedom of expression are maintained, and the political system is built on the traditions and social principles of Sudan. He mentioned that the West would approve of only one model of development.
Side B:
The minister continues by saying that the problem with the West is whether they accept Islam as a principle that should be part of the international system. When confronted with the problems as the standard of living and economic situation in Sudan that are deteriorating, and human rights violation, he responded by saying that the drop in the currency or even economic turbulence do not reflect a failure of the regime.
Sudan has a huge economic and political development program that depends on the efforts of the people, not on foreign resources. A development program with an ongoing war, the level of prices and the dollar price increase is due to the opening of the way between Juba and Khartoum to create radio and television channels. The people of Sudan understand these reasons and accept them. Sudan used to live on the food aid of Europe and the US, but since 1990 it is now offering it to the people and offer it to other countries in need.
John Garang, Sudanese politician and leader (later become vice president of Southern Sudan) issued a press release which turned out to be a political failure; he never represented the south, he swung between the secession of the south and the unity of Sudan, Ṭaha says.
Ṭaha promised the return of refugees of the South and mentioned that the political differences will never push the government to deal with it through instigating war in a neighboring country. When asked about migration of the Sudanese people, Ṭaha said that it is a normal matter that has existed before. The reasons might be due to economic problems, but not because of political problems. They have laws that protect workers; they don't follow the laws of a closed country. Change is something that the people of Sudan are willing to do and capable of doing.
After the conference ended, several attendees commented by saying that the responses of the minister do not really reflect the reality.
