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Nafi Ali Nafi, presidential aide of Sudan
Sudan has great experience of fruitful cooperation with the Soviet Union and Russia.
Today we want our relations to develop and grow qualitatively and quantitatively.
Now we cooperate with China, Malaysia, India.
But I always say that cooperation with Asian countries is free from colonial influences,
unlike cooperation with the Western countries.
Such relations enable us to build cooperation which is based on a dialogue, consideration of mutual interests,
free discussion of various issues.
Of course it is very important for such issues as investments in Sudan by Russia and Russian companies.
I think Africa is the only continent in the world, where not all the natural resources are being used.
Sudan is ready to pay great attention to this problem
in favour of the development of our economy and the interests of the African people.
Therefore, we pay great attention to relations with Asian countries, including Russia.
I would like to speak about the situation in Sudan,
especially about separation of the south of Sudan.
First of all, this problem of the south appeared in the period before our independence.
The first riot took place in the south in 1955, a year before Sudan got independence.
The reason for it was that the south of Sudan wasn’t controlled by Sudan administratively in the period of British rule.
They had their own laws.
Of course the south of Sudan cooperated with the rest of Sudan in the economy and other spheres,
but such laws encouraged a deepening of the colonial dependence of our country.
In 1947, when it became clear that independence would come in a couple of years,
there were attempts by the south of Sudan and certain forces to separate this part of Sudan.
Even though the whole country was fighting against the colonial system,
this part stood against our rule.
It was decided that the south would be controlled by the north of Sudan,
but the developments which took place later confirmed the opposite.
Under President Nimeri, from 1972 to 1981 the situation became normal,
but later the riots continued.
The government tried to establish a national dialogue on establishing peace in the south.
A special conference on peace was founded.
It was decided that Sudan would be a federative state,
and requests of our south brothers would be considered
– they would get wide independence, as well as other states of Sudan.
This was the decision of the conference.
Then, the conference on the peacemaking dialogue made decisions on preparation of a peacemaking treaty.
The dialogue had been taking place for many years and had been being addressed to all the people of Sudan.
In 1989 a direct communication, an effective treaty between the government of Sudan
and the Liberation Movement of South Sudan should begin at last.
It resulted in direct meetings between the president of Sudan and Dr. John Garang.
The dialogue took some time.
A peacemaking treaty was signed between the South and the North.
It required that the South should respect the borders of 1956,
i.e. the borders determined by Englishmen before our country got independence.
The treaty considered all issues – security, use of natural resources, and so on.
We hoped this treaty would work.
Garang was proposed for the position of First Vice-President of the whole of Sudan.
The problem of the south was focused on three regions:
South Kordofan, the Blue Nile - where parts of the Liberation Movement of South Sudan were active,
and the People’s Army of Liberation of Sudan.
The People’s Movement wouldn’t sign a treaty which wouldn’t consider interests of the regions
– South Kordofan, the Blue Nile, and Abyei, disputed territories.
A protocol on Sotuh Kordofan and a protocol on Abyei were signed.
At the moment we are undergoing a transactional period which will last for 6 years.
The Sudanese government has always wanted to fulfil the treaty.
The central government thinks this treaty was signed for the improvement of trust between the North and the South.
The treaty had to provide for the integrity of Sudan,
but, unfortunately, the People’s Movement couldn’t overcome the mistrust
and influence of foreign forces which stand for the overthrow of the Sudanese regime
and the resignation of the central government.
The People’s Movement tried to prevent fulfilment of the treaty, but its plans failed.
It suggested continuation of pressure by the Western countries
and continuation of riots in Kprdofan, the Blue Nile, and Darfur to overthrow the regime.
However, they failed, and the Sudanese people stood against this.
We hope the People’s Movement will take care of the South
after its separation and not exaggerate the problems of Kordofan and other disputed issues.
At least they should discuss such disputed issues with the government of North Sudan.
But this doesn’t happen.
The African Union, which is headed by the presidents of some African countries,
is playing a mediatory role.
We appreciate the support of the regional organizations.
As a result, several months ago in Addis Ababa we agreed on all issues with our south neighbors.
The treaty was called the Treaty between the South and the North.
It includes 9 parts where settlement of all disputed problems is required
– use of oil, borders, and other issues which appeared after the separation of the south.
It was decided that this treaty would be fulfilled.
We are interested in its fulfilment.
We have met the foreign minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov and told him about the situation in detail.
We met with complete understanding from the Russian side
and Russia’s readiness to contribute to a peaceful settlement of the problem.