April, 2003

The Arab Stance towards the Sudanese Problem

Mohammed Abul-Fadl

The Arabs have become increasingly concerned about the situation in Sudan, which represents a weak point for Arab national security. This attention has led to the forming of individual state policies as well as collective efforts within the framework of the Arab League. Yet although the League stresses the need to maintain the territorial integrity of Sudan as well as regional security, it has failed to propose any real initiatives. It has instead called for the endorsement of the Egyptian-Libyan initiative, which it considers a basis for a comprehensive solution.

Arab League secretary-general Amr Moussa expressed this stand on 29 June 2001 in Khartoum during a meeting with Sudanese president Omar Al-Beshir and representatives of the different regional and international parties. Moussa highlighted the League's objection to the 'self-determination' option for the residents of the south, stating that self-determination was the right of the Sudanese people as a whole. Most Arab interaction with Sudan has been on the basis of this stance.

The Arab interest in Sudan has grown in tandem with the increase in international attention and western involvement in the matter. The March 2002 Arab summit in Beirut treated the problem of Sudan as a primary issue of concern, reflecting the Arab leaders' realisation of the threat imposed by western intervention in the country. Immediately after US special envoy to Sudan John Danforth presented a report to US president George W. Bush in April 2002, Moussa invited the leaders of Sudan's Umma and Democratic Unionist parties to national reconciliation, warning them of the danger of western intervention.

Following the signing of the Machakos protocol, Moussa met Sudanese vice president Ali Othman Taha to discuss means of guaranteeing the integrity and security of Sudan. The two agreed on the importance of the Arab role in this regard, and on the need for the Arab League to be a part of any agreement in order that it could monitor its implementation.

At a League meeting on the development of southern Sudan held on 19 December 2002 in Cairo, participants emphasised the need to strengthen their efforts. Moussa proposed turning the League's South Sudan Reconstruction Fund into an Arab commission for the development and reconstruction of southern Sudan, to be responsible for coordination between Arab countries and the various funds and commissions working on projects there.

The League's ministerial committee held a meeting in Khartoum on 14 January 2003 under the leadership of the secretary-general and with the participation of 13 ministers. The attendees affirmed the political will of the Arab countries to enhance the unity of Sudan, and to support the country in the face of any threat to its security or stability. The group called on all countries, and especially the US, to assume positive, neutral and transparent roles. The meeting also recommended the activation of the Egyptian-Libyan initiative. Moussa urged all the Sudanese political powers to end hostilities, and asked for Arab support to encourage such efforts.

The Arab League's movements were successful. In a meeting held on 17 February 2003 in the organisation's General Assembly headquarters, the Sudanese government submitted a report on its efforts to secure investment and infrastructure projects, and Arab investment funds made firm commitments to establish development projects in southern Sudan. Those that backed these efforts to keep Sudan within the Arab circle include the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development, the Saudi Fund for Development, Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment, the Islamic Development Bank and specialised Arab ministerial councils and organisations.

The government in Khartoum, on 7-8 March 2003, hosted an NGO conference to set plans for the projects promised by the Arabs. The conference, attended by 50 organisations, emphasised the importance of the Arab role in promoting southern Sudan. Participants noted that the previous absence of an Arab role in the south of the country had led to the control of western organisations there.

Beside this collective Arab attention, individual efforts from some Arab countries have also been significant. Egypt has been playing a prominent role to support the steps taken by the Arab League. Egyptian diplomats have provided direct support to the reconciliation process and firmly reject any movement towards the separation of southern Sudan.

Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has improved political and diplomatic ties with Sudan following a cooling of relations in 1990 as a result of Khartoum's stance on the Gulf crisis. On 29 December 2002, the two governments signed a framework agreement for cooperation in political, economic and investment areas.

Yet despite the considerable Arab interest in solving the crisis in Sudan, the Arab stance remains largely influenced by maintaining balance, and this is what has impeded Arab efforts.