Background:

Former Prime Minister Ṣādiq al-Mahdī shares his views on political tolerance and freedom in Sudan, stressing the equality between Christians and Muslims in terms of freedom and political tolerance. At that time, the Venezuelan terrorist Ilich Ramírez Sánchez (otherwise known as Carlos the Jackal) had allegedly murdered an informant working for the French Government and two French counter-intelligence agents in 1975.

Foreign Minister Ḥusīn Sulaymān Ābū Ṣāliḥ discusses the relations between Sudan and neighbouring countries, in particular Egypt, Uganda, Eritrea and Kenya. The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA); a rebel group led by Joseph Kony in Uganda is assumed to have Sudanese members and this issue is brought up with Ābū Ṣāliḥ. Furthermore, the government of Southern Sudan is not recognized by Ābū Ṣāliḥ and argues that the government of North Sudan led by President ʿUmar al-Bashīr – who came to power in 1989 through a military coup whereby he ousted Ṣādiq al-Mahdī – is in fact the government of all of Sudan. Ābū Ṣāliḥ was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs twice (once: 1988-1989 and the second time: 1993-1995).

Side A:

Former Prime Minister Ṣādiq al-Mahdī questions the reason behind the presence of Carlos the Jackal in Sudan. He believes that the Sudanese regime either had presumed knowledge of his presence as part of an understanding with France, or the regime genuinely did not know but either cases show a worrying gap of security in Sudan.

Additionally, the case of allegedly the biggest harvest of wheat in 30 years in Sudan is discussed, whereby a surplus of 1.3 million metric tons of wheat is produced. Al-Mahdī is asked whether it is true that the money that is made from this harvest will be used to buy weapons from China. Other questions are circled around the issue of Iranians funding Sudan with weapons; both questions are dodged by Mr. al-Mahdī.

Furthermore, al-Mahdī discusses the Carlos affair. He mentions that the French government offered a deal to the Sudanese government to exchange the fugitive to France in 1994. The Sudanese government cooperated. The presence of Carlos in Sudan is questioned by al-Mahdī. Questions were asked regarding this issue as well as regarding the recent revelation of a massive wheat production In Sudan, to which al-Mahdī showed, there is a tendency of dodging questions and/or denying such speculations.

Last, al-Mahdī points out the growing Islamophobic outrages by the West regarding terrorist activities. Al-Mahdī advocates that a terrorist attack is not necessarily of Islamic nature, and he reflects his distress regarding this unenlightened understanding of some Westerners. On the other hand, the former Prime Minister believes that there are also many sophisticated Westerners who do understand that not all Muslims are terrorists, and not all terrorist attacks are of Islamic nature.

Foreign Minister of Sudan Ḥusīn Sulaymān Ābū Ṣāliḥ discusses the relations between Sudan and neighbouring countries; Uganda, Eritrea, Egypt and Kenya. He mentions that the relations between Egypt and Sudan are strained, but when asked whether the pursuing of Egyptian ambassadors and expelling of Egyptian teachers in al-Kharṭūm will continue, the minister denies such activities ever having taken place.

The relations between Uganda and Egypt are, according to Ābū Ṣāliḥ, just fine as he continues to deny the role of Sudanese members in the LRA causing trouble in Uganda. Additionally, he refuses to answer further questions regarding the subject.

On the issue of tensions between the North and the South of Sudan, Ābū Ṣāliḥ points out his distress towards the terms: Northern and Southern government, insinuating a certain bias towards Southern Sudan’s wishes of independence.

Side B:

According to Western sources, Sudan is harbouring foreign terrorists and this issue is brought up with Ābū Ṣāliḥ, he denies. He thinks it is ridiculous to stamp Ḥizb Allāh (Hezbollah) as a terrorist group as it is merely a political party in the Lebanese Parliament fighting the Israelis. He asks the interviewer if that makes Lebanon a terrorist country. Furthermore, he admits to perhaps small number of Ḥizb Allāh sympathizers being present in Sudan, however, again denies that Sudan is “harbouring” actual members of Ḥizb Allāh.