Theme:
2004 Seeds of Reform in the Arab World
Will They Flourish?

Sudan 2004: An End to the Sudanese Crisis Revives Hopes of a Democratic Transition

In November 2004 the Khartoum government signed two agreements with the rebels in Darfour to bring to an end the security and humanitarian crises in the region. However, the government’s compliance to the agreements' stipulations remains in doubt especially because several terms such as the return to secularism, the establishment of a true federation and the allocation of a percentage of oil revenues in compensation for Darfour’s victims all stand in opposition to the central government's ideological agenda as well as financial interests. Nonetheless, the increasing international pressure on Sudan concerning minority rights, raises hopes that a viable solution to the crisis in Darfour is not an unattainable goal.
In the same month, both the central government of Sudan and the Southern rebels, represented by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army, took a brave step and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in which both sides pledged to end two decades of violence. The resolution stressed that "a Comprehensive Peace Agreement will contribute towards sustainable peace and stability throughout Sudan and to the efforts to address the crisis in Darfour, and underlines the need for a national and inclusive approach" to the crisis in that region.
Moreover, on December 31st, 2004, the two sides signed accords on two outstanding issues: the first protocol called for a permanent ceasefire and the second one detailed the manner through which the final peace agreement will be implemented. This second protocol calls for power sharing during a six-year transition period, after which the South is to hold a referendum on whether to remain part of Sudan or choose complete independence. The accords pave the way for the warring sides to sign a comprehensive peace deal in early January in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi. Hereby, bringing to an end Africa's longest-running conflict.
With respect to the levels of freedom in the country it may be said that, Sudan has lately experienced relative improvements in the freedom of expression. The temporary stipulation pertaining to the special Press Law of 2004, which penalized journalists with jail sentences, was abrogated and the Press Council’s power to freeze newspapers was curbed, leaving the final decision to permanently discontinue a newspaper in the hands of the judiciary. Despite these partial improvements, violations of the freedom of expression continue to prevail in Sudan. A case in point was the recent arrest and imprisonment of a journalist affiliated to Al Jazeera News Agency on charges of disseminating false information about the National Security Forces.