Sudan presidential adviser dies in crash
June 27, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan’s powerful presidential adviser Majzoub al-Khalifa, who was instrumental in signing last year’s Darfur peace accord, died in a car accident in northern Sudan, a presidential source said on Wednesday.
No other vehicle was involved in the accident, which appeared to be the result of a blown tire, the source added.
Khalifa was head of the government negotiating team in talks which led to the signing of a peace deal last year in Sudan’s Darfur region.
Khalifa and his brother, from northern Sudan, will be buried in his home town of Taybat al-Khawad later on Wednesday.
The accident happened at about 4.30 a.m. (0130 GMT) on Wednesday. Ministers are flying to the area for the funeral and other government employees left for the long drive to his village.
Khalifa was one of the main interlocutors in the Darfur process. Only one of three rebel groups signed the May 2006 deal, and the other insurgents have since split into more than a dozen factions wreaking havoc in Darfur.
International experts estimate 200,000 have died in more than four years of fighting in Sudan’s remote west and about 2.5 million have been driven from their homes.
Khalifa, born in 1950, graduated from Khartoum university’s faculty of medicine in 1976. He had previously held the positions of governor of Khartoum and agriculture minister.
Khalifa, known for his gruff diplomacy, was energetic, large of stature and said to be one of the close inner circle of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. Sometimes called a “thug” by his critics, he was blunt and to the point in his diplomatic dealings.
Chadian President Idriss Deby was due to visit Khartoum on Wednesday but some government sources said the visit was likely to be postponed.
(Reuters)
Deng Mayen Dhieu
Sudan presidential adviser dies in crash
It is very sad indeed that we lost Dr Al Khalifa at this critical time in the history of our country. However to larger extent Dr Al Khalifa was responsible for creating disunity among Darfur rebels who are fighting for genuine cause against murderous regime in Khartoum. May Almighty God bless his soul.
Deng Mayen Dhieu. Aweil, South Sudan
Deng Mayen Dhieu
Sudan presidential adviser dies in crash
It is very sad indeed that we lost Dr Al Khalifa at this critical time in the history of our country. However to larger extent Dr Al Khalifa was responsible for creating disunity among Darfur rebels who are fighting for genuine cause against murderous regime in Khartoum. May Almighty God bless his soul. Deng Mayen Dhieu. Aweil, South Sudan
Deng Mayen Dhieu
Sudan presidential adviser dies in crash
It is very sad indeed that Dr Al Kalifa has passed away in this critical time in the history of our country. However, to larger extent Dr Al Khalifa was responsible for the disintergration of rebel movements in Darfur. This barbaric tactics of his made peace impossible in Darfur, because the Darfur rebels could not speak with one voice with the murderous regime in Khartoum.
May Almighty God bless his soul.
Deng Mayen Dhieu. Aweil, South Sudan
Thok Anyuon Atem Thok
Sudan presidential adviser dies in crash
The death of Dr. Mazjoub Al- Khalifa in a car accident is a tragic loss to our country in general. Most Sudanese will not forget of him for the peace deal he delegated on Darfur.Contrary to this, he masterminded the cause of Darfur war. However, we South Sudanese will not wait to offer our heartfelt condolences to the Sudan government despite the fact that they were rejoicing at the death of our Late hero Dr. Garang in 2005.
‘’Let’s learn not to laugh at smiles but at good words spoken’’.
May his Soul Rest in Peace.
Thok Anyoun Atem Thok