Sudan
Since the 1989 military coup, the Republic of Sudan has been ruled by
President Omar Hasan al-Bashir and the National Salvation Revolutionary
Command Council, which is appointed by the president. Domestic and foreign
policies are jointly conducted, however, by the president and Hasan Abdallah
al-Turabi, who heads the only effective political party, the National Islamic
Front. The two-headed government is supported by members of the Islamist
militia, the Popular Defence Forces, which was created by al-Turabi. In
an attempt to legitimize the regime, tightly controlled elections were held
in March, but the electoral process was boycotted by all significant opposition
forces.
An estimated 1.5 million Sudanese have been killed since the outbreak of
civil war in 1983. Violent clashes continued throughout 1996 between the
ruling Muslim Arab majority and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA),
which is backed by black African, Christian, animist and Muslim minorities.
The successful military offensive of the SPLA in the south and its temporary
penetration of the strategic centre of the country challenged the Islamic
regime in Khartoum.
The Sudanese economy has been crippled in recent years by civil war, political
instability and drought, resulting in high inflation and large foreign debts.
Political frustration coupled with worsening economic conditions led to
a series of civil disturbances during 1996. These were followed by government
repression of opposition forces.
Diplomatic and travel sanctions were imposed by the United Nations (UN)
in April following Sudan's refusal to extradite three Egyptians suspected
of attempting to assassinate the Egyptian leader, President Mubarak, in
June 1995 in Addis Ababa. Cross-border conflicts with Ethiopia continue
as do military conflicts with Uganda and Eritrea, all of which constitute
a regional security threat.
Sudan was condemned for extensive violations of human rights including extra-judicial
killings and torture. The UN reported increasing evidence of slavery and
forced labour, particularly of children. As in previous years, Sudan remained
on the US state department list of states sponsoring terrorism.
Until 1948 only a small number of Jews lived in Sudan. Following the
establishment of the state of Israel, most of these chose to leave the country.
Sudan, under the Numeiri government, was the only Arab state, apart from
Morocco and Oman, that staunchly supported both the visit of the Egyptian
president, Anwar Sadat, to Israel in 1977 and the Camp David accords in
1978. Later, in the mid-1980s, Numeiri assisted the emigration of Jews from
Ethiopia to Israel.
The non-Arab and non-Muslim minorities face particular forms of discrimination and deprivation in Sudan. Among the most threatened communities are those of black African origin living in the south of the country and the Nuba people living in the Nuba mountains in Kordofan.
Militant Islamist groups such as Islamic Jihad, Hamas and Hizbullah (see
Lebanon and Palestinian Authority) are reportedly receiving military training
as well as political support in Sudan.
President Bashir and Hasan al-Turabi received Louis Farrakhan, leader of the black American movement Nation of Islam, during his visit to Khartoum in February (see United States of America). Farrakhan was criticized by certain observers for failing to condemn the current practice of slavery.
In 1996 Sudan continued to deny the legitimacy of the state of Israel and to oppose the Middle East peace process. Furthermore, Sudanese leaders invoke conspiracy theories such as the notion that Ethiopia and Eritrea are involved in a "Zionist plot to overthrow Sudan". Reports published by Arab sources of secret talks between senior officials from Israel and Sudan were strongly denied by al-Turabi.
In the face of economic devastation caused by the continuing civil war
and the effects of UN sanctions, the Sudanese regime may be adopting a more
pragmatic stance towards the West. Hasan al-Turabi and other Sudanese Islamists
continue to express some hostility towards Christianity and the West, but
this is less blatant than in previous years. Within this context, the combination
of anti-Zionism and antisemitism may serve as a rallying call. The political
instability of Sudan poses a threat not only to neighbouring countries such
as Egypt but also to the security of the entire region.
© JPR 1997