EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 84/31

(2004/C 84 E/0034)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2562/03

by Maurizio Turco (NI) to the Council

(4 August 2003)

Subject: Compatibility between the violence perpetrated by the Sudanese dictatorial regime and the agreement initialled by the European Union and Sudan

According to the press agency MISNA, during the clashes of the last few weeks between rebel forces and the Sudanese government, Antonov aircraft of the Sudanese airforce have hit 25 villages in the north-west of the western state of Darfur, using unspecified ‘toxic gases’ which are said to have killed 300 people and injured more than 200 others.

The government of the President General Hassan Al Bashir has not yet responded to the accusation that he wants to hit the population of Darfur, made by the Sudanese people's liberation army (SPLM/A). Peace talks between the Sudanese government and SPLM/A have been suspended yet again and the start of discussions, scheduled for this week, has been postponed until 3 August.

On 11 July the government delegation refused to accept as a basis for the future talks the framework agreement put forward by IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development), the regional organisation of the countries of the Horn of Africa which is directing the negotiations, after the SPLM/A delegation had publicly expressed its satisfaction with the document. Since it was signed in July last year no action has been taken on the preliminary protocol of understanding between the two sides and the Khartoum government seems to have no intention of giving up or sharing control over the oil-producing areas in the south, the revenue produced or the new armed forces, which the dictator Al-Bashir has been employing to murder people in Sudan for many years.

Can the Council say:

— whether, in the light of these events, it intends to denounce the agreement initialled on 10 December last year with the Sudanese government, since the latter is indiscriminately using its military arsenal and does not seem to have any intention of implementing the Machakos protocol of July last year;

— whether it considers that Al Bashir's dictatorial regime, responsible for what amounts to genocide of the non-Muslim population, can ensure peace, prosperity and security in Sudan;

— whether it intends to take unified action on behalf of the European Union in all multilateral fora, starting with the United Nations, to step up international pressure on the Sudanese government to isolate its murderous dictator?

Reply

(8 March 2004)

Following the European Union's decision to initiate a renewed political dialogue with the Government of Sudan (GoS) in 1999, meetings take place in Khartoum to assess the progress in the areas of the dialogue (human rights, democracy, the rule of law and the peace process). Recent focus has been on the peace process. The outcome of these discussions is reflected in a joint EU-Sudan communiqué referred to by the Honourable Member of Parliament in his question as the agreement of 10 December 2002.

On 3 September the GoS and the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), under the auspices of the Chadian President, agreed on a cease-fire in Darfur. As regards the clashes between rebel forces and the GoS armed forces in Darfur the Council has no information on the use of ‘toxic gases’. Nonetheless, the Council is aware that the fighting in this region resulted in humanitarian disaster.

Despite interruptions during summer, the peace negotiations have moved forward meanwhile and an agreement on security arrangements was reached between the GoS and the SPLM/A on 24 September. Both parties also agreed to extend the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the cessation of hostilities up to 30 November 2003. The EU encouraged both parties not to lose momentum in order to reach a final and comprehensive agreement as soon as possible.

The EU is coordinating its diplomatic activities in particular with IGAD, within the IGAD Partner Forum, the UN and the US according to its approach towards Sudan that all international actors should work together in order to maximise the chances for a comprehensive peace agreement.

The Council believes that negotiating a comprehensive peace deal between the GoS and the SPLM/A is the only way to stop the 20-year conflict. It will continue to accompany Sudan on the path of peace building, respect of human rights, democracy and development.