Japan-Sudan Relations (Basic Data)

September 2012

Basic Data

1. Land area

2.5 million k㎡（the largest country in Africa and approximately 7 times as large as the size of Japan）

2. Population

39,150,000 (2008) (The Fifth National Census)

3. Capital City

Khartoum

4. Demographics

In the north, tribes such as Arab, Nubia, Nuba, Fur, Beja, etc.
In the south, tribes such as Dinka, Nuer, Azande, Toposa, Bali, etc.

5. Language

Arabic, English and tribal languages

6. Religion

Muslim (mainly north), Christian (mainly south), Indigenous beliefs

7. History

January 1956	The Republic of the Sudan became independent
November 1958	General Ibrahim Abboud established his military regime (It collapsed in Oct.1964)
April 1965	A coalition government was formed (Umma Party and National Unity Party)
May 1969	Colonel Gaafar Muhammad el-Nimeiri established his military regime and renamed the country as "Democratic Republic of Sudan
March 1972	Addis Ababa agreement was signed (the end of the 1st Civil War)
May 1983	SPLA, led by John Garang, attacked Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the 2nd Civil War broke out
April 1985	General Abdel Rahman Swar al-Dahab established his military regime
December 1985	Sudan changed its name into "Republic of the Sudan"
April 1986	General Elections
May 1986	Civilian rule was restored and coalition government was formed by Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi
June 1989	Colonel Bashir established his military regime by his military coup
March 1996	General elections were held and President Bashir was elected
December 2000	General elections were held and President Bashir was re-elected
July 2002	The Machakos Protocol was signed
October 2002	Memorandum of Understanding on Cessation of Hostilities was signed
(Spring) 2003	Arabic militia intensified attacks on African inhabitants in Darfur
September 2003	Agreement on Security Arrangements During the Interim Period was signed
January 2004	Agreement on Wealth Sharing During the Pre-interim and Interim Period was signed
April 2004	N'Djamena Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement on the Conflict in Darfur was signed, under the mediation of the Chadian government. (It soon became broken off.)
May 2004	Protocol on Power Sharing was signed
June 2004	The Nairobi Declaration on the Final Phase of Peace in the Sudan was signed
July 2004	African Union decided to dispatch AU Mission in Sudan (AMIS)
January 2005	Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed
March 2005	UN Security Council adopted the Resolution 1590 to establish UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)
July 2005	Government of National Unity was formed
May 2006	Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) was signed
August 2006	United Nations Security Council adopted the Resolution 1706, which authorizes the deployment of UNMIS to Darfur region. (The Sudanese Government rejected it.)
October 2006	Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement (ESPA) was signed
July 2007	United Nations Security Council adopted the Resolution 1769, which authorizes the deployment of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
October 2007	SPLM temporarily suspends its participation in the Government of National Unity
December 2007	SPLM resumes its participation in the Government of National Unity after the top leaders from NCP and SPLM agreed on the continuous implementation of CPA, except for Abyei dispute
January 2008	UNAMID took over the mandate from AMIS and started its deployment
June 2008	An agreement was reached on the roadmap to implement the Abyei Protocol of CPA
July 2008	Electoral Law was enacted
July 2008	ICC Prosecution application for a warrant of arrest of President Bashir
February 2009	The Government of Sudan and JEM (Justice and Equality Movement) signed the "Agreement of Good Will and Confidence Building for the settlement of the problem in Darfur"
March 2009	The International Criminal Court decided to issue an arrest warrant against the President Bashir

Polity - Domestic politics

1. Polity

Republican

2. Head of State

President Omer Hassan Ahmed al Bashir

3. Parliament

National Assembly

4. Government

(1) President: Omer Hassan Ahmed al Bashir
(2) Foreign Minister: Deng Alor Kuol

5. Domestic Politics

(1) As a result of the general elections in April 1986, the Umma Party leader Sadiq al-Mahdi was sworn in as Prime Minister and a civilian cabinet was formed the following month.
(2) In June 1989, Bashir regime was formed after a bloodless military coup. The military had been allegedly dissatisfied with the decrease of its presence in peace talks of the civil war.
(3) In September 2001, the economic sanction imposed by UN during 1990s was lifted. Sudan had been facing various problems such as its isolation in the international community due to the sanction by the UN and internal strife in the south, problems associated with people affected by conflicts, and huge external debt. Sudan also suffered from natural disasters such as droughts.
(4) In December 2000, Sudan held Presidential and national legislative elections. Incumbent President Bashir won by more than 86% of votes and was elected. (Major opposition parties boycotted the election.)
(5) National State of Emergency which took effect in December 1999 and later extended was extended again until the date the final peace agreement was signed.
(6) In January 2005, Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed.
(7) In July 2005, the Government of National Unity was formed. Its list of cabinet members was announced in September.
(8) In May 2006, Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) was signed.
(9) In October 2006, Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement (ESPA) was signed in Asmara between the Sudanese Government and the Eastern Front.
(10) In October 2007, SPLM suspended its participation in the Government of National Unity and pulled out its cabinet members and advisors of the President in protest of the NCP's unwillingness in its implementation of CPA.
(11) In December 2007, top leaders of NCP and SPLM agreed on issues regarding CPA implementation except Abyei disputes. As a result, SPLM resumed its participation to the Government of National Unity.
(12) In June 2008, an agreement was reached on the roadmap for the implementation of the Abyei Protocol under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
(13) In July 2008, Electoral Law was adopted regarding the general elections which were scheduled to be held in 2010.
(14) In October 2008, "Sudan People's Initiative Forum", which was a national forum regarding Darfur issues, was held.
(15) In February 2009, "Agreement of Good Will and Confidence Building for the settlement of the problem in Darfur" was signed between the Government of Sudan and JEM.
(16) In March 2009, the Government of Sudan expelled 13 major International NGOs that operated in Darfur after the issuance of an Arrest Warrant for the President Bashir by Bashir by International Criminal Court (ICC).
(17) In May 2009, the office of the Sudanese Presidency endorsed the result of the fifth national census (39.15 million). SPLM refused it.

Foreign Policy - Defense Policy

1. Foreign Policy

The Government of the Sudan maintains friendly diplomatic relations with Arab and African countries. Sudan's diplomatic principles are, non-alliance, non-interference in internal affairs, solidarity and good neighborly relations and mutual cooperation with Arab/Islamic countries.

2. Military (Source: Military Balance 2008)

(1) Defense budget: 524 million US dollars (2006)
(2) Terms of service: Conscription (Males, from 18 years old to 30 years old, for 2 years)
(3) Force Strength: Approximately 109,300 troops (Army 105,000, Navy 1,300, Air 3,000) (Excluding soldiers in the reserve)
(4) Paramilitary: Popular Defense Force (Approximately 17,500)
(5) SPLA (Sudan People's Liberation Army): 20,000-30,000 (This number does not include militia)

ECONOMY

(Source: World Bank, UN, WTO, Central Bank of Sudan)

1. Major Industry

Petroleum, Agriculture, Forestry, Stock Farming, Fishery

2. GDP

47.6 billion US dollars (2007)

3. GNI per-capita

960 US dollars (2007)

4. Economic Growth Rate

10.2 % (2007)

5. Inflation rate

7.0% (2007)

6. Unemployment rate

17.3% (2006)

7. Trade balance (gross) (Central Bank of Sudan)

(1) Export: 8.88 billion US dollars (2007)
(2) Import: 8.78 billion US dollars (2007)

8. Trade Items (2007) (Central Bank of Sudan)

(1) Export: Petroleum & Petroleum products, Sesame, Livestock and Meat, Cotton
(2) Import: Machinery and Equipment, Manufacturing Goods, Transport Equipment, Wheat & Wheat Flour

9. Trade partners (2007) (Central Bank of Sudan)

(1) Export: China, Japan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands
(2) Import: China, Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, UAE

10. Currency

Sudanese Pound (SDG)

11. Exchange rate

Floating Exchange System, exchange rate (April 2009) 1US$ = (appx.) 2.2 SDG

12. Overview of the Economy

Sudan has huge cumulative external debt (more than 30 billion dollars). Since 1996, Sudan accepted IMF's Staff Monitored Programs (SMP) and tried to restore its economy. Sudan has been making progress accordingly to the program. Since August 1999, Sudan started exporting petroleum and it is expected that there will be improvement in its fiscal and economic standing.

ECONOMIC COOPERATION

1. Major Donors (2006)

US, UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Canada

2. Japanese assistance (Up to 2006)

List of Exchange of Notes
(1) Loans: 10.5 billion yen (E/N basis)
(2) Grants: 99.2 billion yen (E/N basis)
(3) Technical cooperation: 6.8 billion yen (JICA)
(4) Because of major violation of human rights in Sudan from late 1980s to early 1990, Japan, in accordance with the principles of ODA Charter, ceased its assistance to Sudan in October 1992 except for emergency and humanitarian assistance. Later, Japan on top of the emergency and humanitarian assistance through international organizations, introduced Grassroots Human Security Grant Aid to Sudan and implemented its assistance to Sudan through NGOs that engage in providing health care services and assistance for refugees.

After the signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Japan expanded its bilateral assistance to Sudan in addition to its assistance through international organizations. At the Sudan Donor Conference held in Oslo in April 2005, Japan pledged to contribute a package of assistance totalling 100 million dollars for the consolidation of peace in the Sudan. As of February 2008, Japan implemented approximately 230 million dollars, which surpassed the amount pledged in Oslo. In addition, at the Third Sudan Consortium Conference held in May 2008, Japan pledged additional 200 million dollars and such pledge is under execution.

In January 2009, Japan decided to contribute 16 million dollars (1.575 billion yen) for the DDR (Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration) activity for the programme targeted at 180,000 ex-combatants in Sudan.

3. Various agreements

Dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers
(Dispatched in December 1990, retreated in January 1993, resumed in August 2008)

Bilateral Relations

1. Political Relations

(1) Diplomatic Relations

Established on 6th January 1956

(2) Installation of Embassy

Established Legation (under Ambassador in Egypt) in February 1957
Upgraded to be an Embassy in April 1961

Established an Embassy: September 1961
Closed the Embassy: February 1970
Reopened the Embassy: August 1973

(3) In June 1996, Japan imposed sanction against Sudan pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1054 and 1070. In September 2001, Japan lifted the sanction.

(4) In June 30, 2006, Japan imposed sanction pursuant to UNSC Resolution 1591 and 1672, which mainly target those responsible for committing violence in Darfur and impeding the peace process. (on going)

2. Economic Relations

(1) Trade with Japan

(a) Trade Items

Export Item: petroleum and petroleum products, gum arabic, sesame, cotton (FY 2007)
Import Item: machinery, industrial products, transportation equipment (FY 2007)

(b) Trade balance

Exports: $4,206 million dollars (2008)
Imports: $ 123 million dollars (2008)

(2) Japanese firms operating in Sudan

None

3. Cultural Relations

(1) International exchanges

Number of Sudanese diplomats who received Japanese government-funded Japanese language training: 2 (in total)

(2) Student exchanges

Number of Sudanese students who were sent to Japan for studies in universities under the Japanese Government scholarship: 5 (in FY 2008)

(3) Academic exchanges

Kyoto University and Khartoum University
Kobe University and Gezira University
Tottori University and Agricultural Research Corporation　(a part of the Ministry of Science and Technology)

4. Number of Japanese nationals residing in Sudan

138 (As of March 2009)

5. Number of Sudanese nationals residing in Japan

185 (As of the end of December 2007)

6. Exchange of VIPs

From Japan to Sudan

Date	Name
October, 1977	Private Goodwill Economic Mission (Leader: Shigeo NAGANO, Chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
January, 1978	Moichi MIYAZAKI, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications
July, 1983	Yozo ISHIKAWA, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
November, 1983	Goodwill mission (Leader: Masanao ODAKA, the Executive Director of The Middle East Research Institute of Japan)
January, 1988	Japan-Sudan Parliamentary Friendship Association （Leader: Member of House of Councilｌors Mr. TASHIRO
February, 1989	Japan-Sudan Parliamentary Friendship Association （Leader: Member of House of Councillors Mr.TASHIRO
December, 1993	Tetsuko KUROYANAGI, Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF
July, 2003	Keitaro SATO, Ambassador in Charge of Peacebuilding in Africa
August, 2003	Keitaro SATO, Ambassador in Charge of Peacebuilding in Africa
September, 2003	Tetsuro YANO, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs
September,2004	Keitaro SATO, Ambassador in Charge of Peacebuilding in Africa
December, 2004	Ichiro AISAWA, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs
May, 2005	Delegation of the Democratic Party of Japan to Middle East and Sudan（Leader: Katsuya OKADA, President, The Democratic Party of Japan
July, 2005	Keitaro SATO, Ambassador in Charge of Peacebuilding in Africa
November, 2005	Japan-African Union Parliamentary Friendship Association (Leader: Koji OMI, Member of the House of Representatives)
February, 2006	Yasuhisa SHIOZAKI, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs
October, 2006	Keitaro SATO, Ambassador in Charge of Peacebuilding in Africa
January, 2007	Kazunori TANAKA, Senior Vice-Minister for Finance
March, 2007	Keitaro SATO, Ambassador in Charge of Peacebuilding in Africa
January, 2008	Tetsuro YANO, Member of the House of Councillors (Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Japan
May, 2008	Itsunori ONODERA, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yasuhide NAKAYAMA, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Keitaro SATO, Ambassador in Charge of Peacebuilding in Africa
July, 2008	Survey delegation of House of Councilｌors (Leader: Tetsuro YANO, Member of the House of Councilｌors)
August, 2008	The delegation led by Asahiko MIHARA, Director-General, International Bureau, Liberal Democratic Party
February, 2009	Keitaro SATO, Ambassador in Charge of Peacebuilding in AfricaFrom Sudan to Japan

From Sudan to Japan (since 1998)

Year	Name
1998	(In October) Abdallah Hassan Ahmed, Minister of International Cooperation and Investment (TICAD II)
2001	(In May) Yusif, Director of Asian Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2001	(In December) Dr. Al-Tigani Salih Fidail, State Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2003	(In May) Mutrif Siddig, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2003	(In September) Mr. Badreddin Mohamed Ahmed Suliman, Advisor to the President for Economic Affairs (TICAD III)
2004	(In March) Mr. Al Tijani Adam Ali Tahir, Minister of Environment
	(In March) Dr. Sulaf Al Deen Salih Mohamed, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Commission
	(In September) Dr. Mustafa Osman Ismail, Minister of Foreign Affairs (Working Visit upon Invitation by Minister for Foreign Affairs)
	(In November) Dr. El Zubeir Bashir Taha, Minister of Science and Technology (STS Forum)
2005	(In March) Joint National Transition Team (JNTT)
2005	(In December) Dr. Altijani Salih Fidail, Minister of International Cooperation
2006	(In August) Dr. El Zubeir Bashir Taha, Minister of Science and Technology (STS Forum)
	(In November) Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
	(In December) Mr. Malik Agar Ayar, Minister of Investment (JETRO Investment Seminar)
2007	(In June) Dr. Ahmed Belal Osman, Advisor to President of the Government of Sudan (Private Invitation)
	(In October) Ms. Tabita Shokai, Minister of Health (Private Invitation)
	(In October) Dr. El Zubeir Bashir Taha, Minister of Interior (STS Forum)
	(In October) Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, Minister of Regional Cooperation (Government of Southern Sudan) (Opinion Leader Invitation)
2008	(In March) H.E. Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie, Assistant to the President (Invitation by Minister for Foreign Affairs)
	(In May) Field Marshal Omer Hassan Ahmed al Bashir, President of the Sudan (TICAD IV)
	(In October) Dr. El Zubeir Bashir Taha, Minister of Agriculture and Forests, Ibrahim Ahmed Omer, Minister of Science and Technology (STS Forum)
2009	(In January) Mr. Ali Ahmed Karti, State Minister of Foreign Affairs (Opinion Leader Invitation)
	(In March) Dr. Luka Biong, Minister of Presidential Affairs in the Government of Southern Sudan (TICAD IV Follow-up Symposium)
	(In March) Dr. Awad Ahmed El- Jaz,Special Envoy of the President of the Sudan (Minister of Finance and National Economy)

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