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======================================================================== S U D A N : N E W S & V I E W S ======================================================================== Issue No 1 25 April 1994 ________________________________________________________________________ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + Sudan: News & Views is a fortnightly Electronic Newsletter. + + Questions and comments can be sent to yasin@gn.apc.org or to fax + + number +44-81-905 0057. + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ * FOREIGN MINISTER ON HUMAN RIGHTS The following is a translation of part of an interview with Dr. Hussain Abu Salih, the Sudanese Foreign Minister, published in Al-Khartoum newspaper on Sunday 3 April 1994: Q: It seems that the involvement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the issue of human rights in Sudan is very limited. The government has dealt with it as a purely legal issue left to the Attorney General to tackle. Abu Salih: No.. there is no sensitivity here. Everybody who can contribute in this matter is welcome. We have not abandoned our duty. We have a legal administration which is dealing with this matter. We have left this matter to the justice and judiciary systems because they are more capable of defense. I, for example, is convinced that the Islamic system is the best system for human rights in the world, but I might not be able to explain this to the world. I am not articulate, but lawyers are. Q: But is the issue here a theoretical debate on human rights in Islam or is it about certain practices and violations in Sudan? Abu Salih: All..All. Comparing our record with that of Israel and America, we are angels. Our record is far better. There is no one without mistakes, but we cannot be compared with America or Israel. This issue is only for political pressure. We will not discuss this matter anymore because it is nonsense. Q: But the Sudanese people who raise this issue do not compare between Sudan and America or Israel.They compare between Sudan and Sudan, because these practices are new to Sudan and has not been experienced before, throughout the history of Sudan. Abu Salih: There are a lot of lies created by the opposition. Do not draw me into talking about the Opposition. I do not want to talk about these people who have dishonored Sudan and its people more than anybody else. Please pardon me, I don't want to talk about them. Q: What about the extension of the mandate of Caspar Biro as a Special Rapporteur for human rights in Sudan and ....? Abu Salih: [interrupting] ..Look, this Biro will never set foot in Sudan again. From now on, he is not going to enter Sudan. He is a kid with little legal experience. I think the biggest mistake committed by the government of Sudan is to accept this little kid to come and investigate us. It is our mistake. * MINISTER OF JUSTICE ON HUMAN RIGHTS Abdel Aziz Shiddu, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, in a local statement has admitted that practices by the security services has tarnished Sudan's image abroad. He said that it is important for the Salvation Revolution to abandon its policies of intimidation and harassment of its citizens by arrest, ill-treatment and other excesses. He mentioned, as examples of these excesses, the killing of engineer El-Rasikh and another person in Sinja, in central Sudan, by security officers. He added that these practices has harmed Sudan's image and helped in its further regional and international isolation. [source: Al- Khartoum newspaper 28 March 1994] * HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT KILLED BY SECURITY OFFICER Ahmed Hassan Sa'ad, a third year student in Ali El-Sayed Secondary School in Al-Sahafa - Khartoum, was shot by a security officer in front of his colleagues on Wednesday 30 March 1994. He died, three hours later, in the hospital. He was attending a student's political debate, when he was asked by a security officer to accompany him. When the student refused, the officer took out his gun and shot him. The killer joined one of the security services after leaving the same school two years ago. The student's father, a water engineer, was later visited by tow people, who introduced themselves as members of the security service, and offered their apologies for their colleagues action. The authorities issued a statement denying any political reason for the killing. * PRESIDENT FORBIDS CONTACT WITH US AMBASSADOR Lt. Gen. Omar Hassan Al-Bashir, President of Sudan, has, on 13 April 1994, issued instructions forbidding any contact from anybody with the US Ambassador in Khartoum. He accused the Ambassador of meddling in Sudan's internal affairs. * DISAPPEARANCE OF MARTIN MALWAL The whereabouts of Col. (ret.) Martin Malwal Arop, an ex-member of the Revolutionary Command Council for National Salvation, are not known and is feared arrested by the security forces. On 2 April 1994, Martin's house was besieged by the security forces and his telephone line disconnected. This action follows the arrest, a few days ago, of a number of people, originally from Rumbeik in Southern Sudan, from Martin's house who happened to have a family gathering. The authorities had accused them of holding a political meeting. * EX-VICE CHANCELLOR ATTACKS GOVERNMENT EDUCATION POLICY Prof. Mamoun Humaida, a committed NIF member and previous Vice Chancellor of the University of Khartoum, attacked the government's policy on higher education. He said that what is called the 'higher education revolution' is in reality a tool to destroy the nation's inheritance of well-established and outstanding universities and higher-education institutes. He attributed the failure of these policies to the monopoly of decision-making and the lack of consultation with the academic institutes. He also talked about the deteriorating status and living conditions of the academic staff. The salary of a university professor is now LS23,112 (Sudanese Pound) a month [equivalent to $30/month at the current rate of exchange]. He pointed out that 105 staff members had left the University of Khartoum in the last two years; 50 of them during the period September 1993 to February 1994. These included the whole staff of the Accountancy Department in the Business Administration School. He added that "If the immigration of the university staff members continues at this rate, we might have to consider using final year students to teach their fellow students in lower classes". He also said that universities now lack books, laboratories and other teaching facilities. He gave an example of Omdurman Islamic University where medical students receive only theoretical lectures and have not done a single practical lesson. He expressed fear that the Medical Council might not recognise these Degrees and the graduates of these universities might not be able to practice medicine. * STUDENTS REBELLION AGAINST ILL-TREATMENT IN PDF CAMPS Seven hundred students receiving Popular Defense Force's military training have rebelled against the bad treatment they receive in El- Markhiyat camp - in the outskirts of Omdurman. The students walked out of the camp and staged a demonstration in Omdurman city. The Minister of Higher Education, Prof. Ibrahim Ahmed Omer, had warned that the students will lose their places in the universities if they fail to return immediately to the training camp. He stressed that this training is a pre-requisite for joining any university or higher-education institute in Sudan. It is intended to teach the students discipline and the values of Jihad. Many students expressed their unwilling to go back unless they receive guarantees of better treatment and improved conditions, even if this meant their dismissal from the university. * SUDAN AIRWAYS PLANE HIJACKED A Sudanese citizen, Adil Mahgoub Hussain, 26, has hijacked a Sudan Airways plane (Boeing 737) in an internal flight from Khartoum to Dongola in Northern Sudan on 6 April 1994. The plane which was carrying 93 passengers and 6 crew, was forced to fly to Egypt. The Egyptian authorities directed the plane to Aluqsor airport where the hijacker gave himself up to the Egyptian police and demanded political asylum in Egypt.The plane and its passengers returned safely to Sudan. * PRESIDENT DOESN'T READ PAPERS OR WATCH TV In a television interview, President Omar Al-Bashir said that he doesn't find the time to read the newspapers or watch television. The only time he watches TV, he said, is on Friday morning when he watches the Children's program. He commended the children's program and said that it is the only program he enjoys watching. * SUDANESE ECONOMY NEAR COLLAPSE? The Minister of Finance, this month, has declared an increase of 87.5% in petrol prices from LS400/gallon to LS750/gallon. This is the sixth such increase in the last five years. It increased from LS10/gal in 1989 to LS12/gal in 1990, LS110/gal in 1991, LS150/gal in 1992, LS400/gal in 1993 and LS750/gal in 1994. In a statement to the Economic Committee in the government-appointed National Assembly, the Minister showed the extent of the economic crisis by telling the Committee that petrol imports cost US$28.5 million per month while earnings of all the country's exports are US$12 million. He also told the Committee that the government's budget deficit in the first half of the current financial year is LS33 Billion. Prof. Mohamed Hashim Awad, an Economics Lecturer at the University of Khartoum and an ex-Minister of Trade and Co-operatives, has also published an article in one of the government-controlled newspapers in which he outlined the following facts: - Sudan's income during the 80's used to be US$1,350 million; $500m as proceedings of exports and $850m as foreign aid from friendly countries and regional and international organisations. - At present, 10% of the population control 60% of the national income while the bottom 40% have a share of only 8% of the national income. - Prices has increased by 1725% since 1975. - The Sudanese currency has been devalued by 8778% in the past four years. The official rate of exchange in June 1989 was 1 US$ = LS4.5. The current rate of exchange is 1 US$ = LS530. Since all foreign aid has stopped due to the international isolation of the Sudanese regime, and the deterioration of its exports' income, the government has lately resorted to implementing many taxes and fees on Sudanese working abroad. From April 1994, every Sudanese working abroad would have to transfer through the official channels, part of his earnings. The amount to be transferred annually varies from $300 to $1,000 according to salary. A similar amount is also charged as tax. It has also been reported recently that the University of Khartoum will require students whose parents are working abroad to pay tuition fees of $1,500 to $3,000 per annum in US dollars. * THE ARTICLE THAT CAUSED THE CLOSURE OF AL-SUDANI INTERNATIONAL The following is a translation of one of the articles written by Mohamed Taha Mohamed Ahmed, an NIF supporter, in Al-Sudani International, the first independent newspaper in Sudan since June 1989. The series of articles written by Mohamed Taha criticized state corruption which angered the authorities and resulted in the closure of the newspaper and the detention of its editors. Asim (the son of Hassan Turabi, NIF leader and the power behind the regime) has physically attacked and fired two shots on Taha from his pistol. This article is written in response to the comments made by Ali Osman Taha, the second man in the NIF hierarchy and Minister of Social Planning, on the issue of corruption. Ali Taha said that he considers corruption as a normal behaviour and does not worry him. His Ministry is at present conducting a comparative study of corruption under the present and previous governments. Mohamed Taha Mohamed Ahmed writes in al-Ray (opinion) page in Al-Sudani al-Dawlia (Reproduced in Al-Khalij, 8/4/94): "When Mr Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, the former leader of opposition in parliament, resurfaced as an executive and became Minister for Social Planning, his appearance did not mean a reduction in the prestige of the Salvation [Revolution] which rejected sectarianism and declared its nationalistic credentials. The leader of the opposition did not participate in any of Sadiq al-Mahdi's governments even during the coalition with the NIF. For the masses, the man represented its present struggle and its future hopes, because he was part of them. The son of a simple soldier who spent his childhood and youth in the poor districts. A man like him is always close to the hearts and minds of the masses. This enchantment continues even after those leaders forget their origins. Ali Osman Mohamed Taha gained popular trust very early in his life not because of any special qualities or ingenuity that set him apart from other Islamiscists, but because the Islamic movement has promoted him with its media, writers and propaganda. Brilliance in the Islamic movement does not belong to individuals no matter what they claim or think, but it is the talent of the Islamic movement as a whole in its collective thinking, activity, and Jihad. Any individual who try to promote himself without recognising these facts will get no where and only collective action will guarantee the survival of the Islamic movement. We are reiterating the basics to safeguard the cornerstones that, in order to protect, several were martyred. The Islamic movement in Sudan today is half a century old; older than most of its current leaders. Ali Osman Mohamed Taha was the Islamicist candidate in Burri for the People's Assembly under Nimieri. He was supported by the Islamicists; students, youth and elders. He was again promoted by the Islamic movement to become the leader of opposition in 1986 after the election. Sadiq al-Mahdi considered him to be too young but we were proud of his enthusiastic youth. The youth in the NIF were the ones who nominated him for leadership. He managed to win over more experienced elders such as Ahmed Abdel Rahman, Mahdi Ibrahim and Ibrahim Ahmed Omer. Above all this, the youth of the NIF nominated him to the position of the Deputy Leader at the time when Dr. Hassan Turabi wanted to keep the issue of his deputy unresolved. We reiterate all this because of Mr Ali Osman Mohamed Taha statement in al-Multaga magazine, in which he described the criticism of the papers for the revolution as superficial. He seems to be more concerned about the revolution when people are calling for the protection of public money to prevent it from being wasted. People said the revolution knows the sacred nature of Sudanese wealth when it executed currency dealers. But not long after that, currency dealers were arrested for one day only and among them there were the chosen ones. One of them was arrested for only one hour because he is the son of a leading figure [this is a reference to Asim Hassan Turabi]. This led to people in the streets making fun of the whole issue. All people should be equal in front of the law. You should remember the story of Omer Ibn al-Khatab with the son of Omer ibn al-As, his governor in Egypt when he used the power of his father to beat a commoner. The internal front is strengthened by the rule of law and its supremacy over the leaders and their sons. We are saying this despite those who advise us to criticize privately and behind the scenes, or those who will accuse us of giving the enemy something to smear the revolution. We say it because there is nothing more dangerous for the revolution than those who corrupt from within. There should be no whispering, everything should be said publicly. Mr Ali Osman Mohamed Taha knows more than any one else that poverty is much obvious under this regime and people are tolerating the situation and giving the Islamic program, which is being targeted by the arrogant world, a chance, but their patience and tolerance is not going to last if we allow the wealth of the Moslems to be squandered or stolen. Look at what is happening in Kordofan. Burning will continue because millions are being squandered. Questions should be asked about several sums and incidents and the regional government should be investigated." * SUDANESE AMBASSADOR IN MOGADISHU KIDNAPPED The Sudanese Ambassador to Somalia, Abdel Bagi Mohmed Hassan, was kidnapped in Mogadishu last week. The kidnappers who belong to the Hawadla tribe, demanded that an amount of US$103,000 be returned to them before they release the Ambassador. They claim that this money has been confiscated by the Sudanese security from a Somali activist who was passing through Khartoum, and was detained for three months. * THREE KILLED IN RIOTS IN CENTRAL REGION At least three people are reported killed in clashes between demonstrators and police and security forces in Wad Medani in central Sudan on 19 and 20 April 1994. The riots were sparked as a result of acute shortages in essential commodities such as bread and petrol. The demonstrators burnt one of the Islamic banks in the city. The authorities have ordered the closure of the University of Gezira and all schools in the region. ***************************************************************** * 'Sudan News & Views' is an independent (non-partisan, * * non-governmental) electronic publication based in London * * working to advocate peace, human rights and humanitarian * * aid for the Sudan. * ***************************************************************** Date: Sat, 2 Jul 94 14:26:34 BST From: Yasin Miheisi <yasin@gn.apc.org> Message-Id: <9407021326.AA00570@gn.apc.org> Subject: SNV-1
Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar
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