The Sudan Peace Process

Publication Date: June 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: International relations

Type:

Coverage: Sudan

Abstract:

Sudan, geographically the largest country in Africa, has been intermittently ravaged by civil war for four decades. More than two million people have died over the past two decades due to war-related causes and famine, and millions have been displaced from their homes. The 20-year civil war has been and continues to be a major contributing factor to recurring humanitarian crisis. There have been many failed attempts to end the civil war in southern Sudan, including efforts by Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, former President Jimmy Carter, and the United States.

In March 1994, the heads of state from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, and Uganda formed a mediation committee under the aegis of the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) and held the first formal negotiations in March 1994. The basis of these talks was a Declaration of Principles (DOP), which includes the right of self-determination, separation of religion and the state (secularism), and a scheduled referendum to be held in southern Sudan with secession as an option. Although the National Islamic Front (NIF) government reluctantly accepted the DOP in 1994, the government in Khartoum walked out on peace talks in September 1994, and returned only in July 1997 after a series of military defeats.

The Clinton Administration adopted a policy of isolation and containment of Sudan, while at the same time supporting the IGAD peace initiative. Relations for most of the 1990s were dominated by concerns about Sudan's radical Islamic agenda, the civil war, human rights, and the NIF's support for international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including Osama bin Laden who lived in Sudan from 1991- 1996. In 1997, the Clinton Administration imposed comprehensive economic and trade sanctions on Sudan. In 1999, the Clinton Administration appointed former Congressman Harry Johnston Special Envoy for Sudan. Special Envoy Johnston made several trips to Sudan and other countries in the region to rally support for the IGAD peace process. By early 2000, serious dialogue on a wide range of issues between the government of Sudan and the Clinton Administration began to take place. Progress was made on counter-terrorism talks, while the IGAD peace process stalled.

The Bush Administration has made Sudan a high priority and President Bush has spoken on Sudan on a number of occasions. In September 2001, President Bush appointed former Senator John Danforth as Special Envoy for Sudan to see if there was a role for the United States in the peace process. The Bush Administration has renewed sanctions imposed by the Clinton Administration, but has relaxed the travel ban that had been imposed on Sudanese officials. Additionally, the Administration has expanded dialogue with the Sudanese government on counter-terrorism and the peace process. The United States is playing key roles in the current IGAD talks by providing financial support and coordinating among key allies in Europe and the Horn of Africa. In December 2002, the Bush Administration invited the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and the government of Sudan for two days of talks in Washington, D.C. On April 21, 2003, the Administration submitted its report on Sudan, as required by the Sudan Peace Act (PL 107-245). This report will be updated as events warrant.