General information
First Active Year: 1996
Current Name: NDA
Current Name full English: National Democratic Alliance
Current Name full native language: n/a
Original Name: NDA
Original Name full English: National Democratic Alliance
Original Name full native language: n/a
Actor Chronology
This section contains information about (if applicable) group splinters, name changes, and alliances according to the UCDP definitions of these concepts.
UCDP has not recorded any Chronology Activities involving this group.
Conflict issues
Government of Sudan - NDA
Conflict Goal Issues: National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was a rebel group that emerged as a coalition of Sudanese opposition forces fighting against the new Sudanese government that had seized power over Sudan after a coup d’état. The group emerged as a political alliance in 1989 with the aim of protecting democracy and establishing a democratic system in Sudan, specifically to allow for the southern parts of Sudan to hold a referendum to establish whether they wished to gain self-determination and autonomy. In 1995, the first year of coded conflict, NDA released a “declaration of principles” where they called for the establishment of a democratic system to end the second Sudanese civil war through the holding of a referendum to decide on the question of South Sudanese self-determination and autonomy. The group also called for the establishment of an interim constitution and a decentralization of ruling during the period following the planned ousting of the government, which would result in executive power-sharing between Northern, Central, and Southern entities of Sudanese politics. Naturally, the group also called for the ousting of the executive government, and for the secularization of the executive and judicial branches of the government. Finally, the group also called for human-, cultural-, and religious rights to be respected.
As the conflict progressed, NDA reaffirmed its commitment to ousting the government and replacing the political system with a secular and democratic structure which would lead to a referendum, although the specific topic of South Sudanese independence was not mentioned. The group also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the cultural-, religious-, and human rights of the Sudanese people. NDA also released statements calling for the protection of basic needs of the Sudanese people, for natural resource revenues to be protected, and for citizenship reforms to ensure citizenship for all Sudanese people.
The main conflict goal issues for NDA were the establishment of a democratic and secular state structure, the ousting of the sitting government, and the protection of the Sudanese people’s rights and basic needs. All these issues were heavily emphasized throughout the conflict and were continuously mentioned for its duration.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: During the first year of conflict, NDA released several statements pertaining to the dynamics of the conflict. They called for the international community to recognize the group as a legitimate actor and grant it a seat at the Organisation of African Unity, to monitor the democratic process which would be established in Sudan, and to politically support NDA’s struggle against the Sudanese government. They also called upon the African Union to hand over control of the peace process to resolve the civil war issue to NDA.
As the conflict progressed, NDA reemphasized its calls for international monitoring, support, and recognition. Calls for removing the African Union’s mediatory position were not reaffirmed, however. Instead, the group began calling towards the international community to remove its financial, military, and political support to the Sudanese government, specifically towards a Canadian oil company and the government of Qatar. The group also released statements accusing the government of Sudan of direct and indirect abuses, releasing accusations of torture and of intentional starvation and creation of a famine. Finally, NDA also called upon international countries and human rights organizations to influence the conflict through recognizing the group and to pressure the government to cease human rights abuses.
Whilst several issues were coded on more than one occasion, no particular issues received significantly more emphasis than others, which is why no conflict dynamics issues were considered as main issues for NDA.
Conflict Resolution Issues: During the first year of conflict, NDA stated several conflict resolution issues. The group stated the need for national dialogue, stating: “our national problems cannot be solved except through clear, serious and continuous dialogue among all Sudanese national groups.”, called for investigations into potential abuses committed against civilians by the government, and stated its intent to oversee the peace process and negotiations to resolve the civil war.
As the conflict progressed, emphasis on national dialogue and accountability were not explicitly restated, although they continued to propose changes to the structure of the negotiations. Furthermore, the group began pronouncing its opposition to bilateral negotiations with the government, stating that nothing beneficial would come from such negotiations, and that the government were inherently aggressive and “against peace, democracy, and human rights”.
The main conflict resolution issue for NDA was the topic of negotiations, be it their intent to oversee and control them, or its opposition to negotiations with the government. This issue was stated continuously throughout the conflict and was emphasized by the group frequently.
Type of conflict issues: Conflict Goal Issues: Autonomy, Basic needs, Change judicial system, Citizenship reforms, Civil rights, Constitutional issues, CPS: Democracy, CPS: Secular state, Cultural rights, Decentralization, Economic reforms, Executive power-sharing, Executive power-sharing: interim, Foreign policy reform, Human rights, Law and order, Oust full executive, Oust head of the executive, Public services, Referendum, Reform judicial system, Religious rights, Revenues from natural resources
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Atrocities and abuses, Collective targeting: other group, DFI: Removal of foreign mediator, DFI: Removal of foreigners, DFI: Withdrawal of financial support, DFI: Withdrawal of military support, DFI: Withdrawal of political support, IFI: Foreign mediator, IFI: International monitoring, IFI: Political support, IFI: Recognition, IFI: Use of foreign influence
Conflict Resolution Issues: Accountability/prosecution/investigation, National dialogue, Opposition to negotiations, Structure of negotiations
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1996
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Sudan - NDA
1997
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Sudan - NDA
1998
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Sudan - NDA
1999
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Sudan - NDA
2000
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Sudan - NDA
2001
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Sudan - NDA
Group Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1996 Group Archive
Government of Sudan - NDA
Comment on Name: National Democratic Alliance: NDA is an umbrella organisation of northern and southern opposition groups. SPLM/A is by far the largest party and seen as an independent actor. Other members of the NDA are the two former government parties, Umma and DUP (Democratic Unionist Party), SAF (Sudan Alliance Forces), Beja Congress and the Communist Party.
Comment on Active: In August 1996 NDA had a meeting where it was decided to set up a joint military force and during the fall of 1996 attacks against governmental positions was for the first time conducted under a NDA-banner. The SPLM/A military force would still remain separate but it has contributed troops to the new unit of NDA Military Forces. During the year was both attacks conducted by NDA-members SPLM/A and by NDA as a military actor.
Troop Size: Missing
Comment on Troop Size: The exact number of troops that was under NDA command during the year is unclear but of the NDA members SPLM/A were known to have between 20 000 and 50 000 troops, however, most of these troops fought under the command of their own group and not under NDA banner. SAF and Beja Congress both had 500 each, and New Sudan Brigade had 2000 troops.
Secondary Support: Eritrea, Ethiopia and Uganda all supported the opposition. They have all denied any military support when this has been claimed by the Sudanese government, but all analysts seem to agree that the NDA and SPLA must have received support from these countries. In one occasion Eritrea did admit to supporting the opposition, but denied any military involvement. Eritrea and Ethiopia have both been accused of being involved directly with troops, but his has been strictly denied and there is hardly any evidence. SPLA supposedly used Ugandan territory for preparing for an offensive as well. (There are speculations that the defence aid given to these countries by the US was aimed at indirectly supporting the opposition.)
1997 Group Archive
Government of Sudan - NDA
Comment on Name: National Democratic Alliance: NDA is an umbrella organisation of northern and southern opposition groups. SPLM/A is by far the largest party and seen as an independent actor. Other members of the NDA are the two former government parties, Umma and DUP (Democratic Unionist Party), SAF (Sudan Alliance Forces), Beja Congress and the Communist Party.
Troop Size: Missing
Comment on Troop Size: The exact number of troops that was under NDA command during the year is unclear but of the NDA members SPLM/A were known to have between 20 000 and 50 000 troops, however, most of these troops fought under the command of their own group and not under NDA banner. SAF and Beja Congress both had 500 each, and New Sudan Brigade had 2000 troops.
Secondary Support: Eritrea, Ethiopia and Uganda all supported the opposition. They have all denied any military support when this has been claimed by the Sudanese government, but all analysts seem to agree that the NDA and SPLA must have received support from these countries. In one occasion Eritrea did admit to supporting the opposition, but denied any military involvement. Eritrea and Ethiopia have both been accused of being involved directly with troops, but his has been strictly denied and there is hardly any evidence. SPLA supposedly used Ugandan territory for preparing for an offensive as well. (There are speculations that the defence aid given to these countries by the US was aimed at indirectly supporting the opposition.)
1998 Group Archive
Government of Sudan - NDA
Comment on Name: National Democratic Alliance: NDA is an umbrella organisation of northern and southern opposition groups. SPLM/A is by far the largest party and seen as an independent actor. Other members of the NDA are the two former government parties, Umma and DUP (Democratic Unionist Party), SAF (Sudan Alliance Forces), Beja Congress and the Communist Party.
Troop Size: Missing
Comment on Troop Size: The exact number of troops that was under NDA command during the year is unclear but of the NDA members SPLM/A were known to have between 20 000 and 50 000 troops, however, most of these troops fought under the command of their own group and not under NDA banner.SAF and Beja Congress both had 500 each, and New Sudan Brigade had 2000 troops.
Secondary Support: Eritrea, Ethiopia and Uganda continued to support the opposition. Eritrea claimed by the end of the year that it only supported the NDA and not the SPLA, although the latter is a member of the NDA.
1999 Group Archive
Government of Sudan - NDA
Comment on Name: National Democratic Alliance: NDA is an umbrella organisation of northern and southern opposition groups. SPLM/A is by far the largest party and seen as an independent actor. Other members of the NDA are the two former government parties, Umma and DUP (Democratic Unionist Party), SAF (Sudan Alliance Forces), Beja Congress and the Communist Party.
Troop Size: Missing
Comment on Troop Size: The exact number of troops that was under NDA command during the year is unclear but of the NDA members SPLM/A were known to have between 20 000 and 50 000 troops, however, most of these troops fought under the command of their own group and not under NDA banner. SAF and Beja Congress both had 500 each, and New Sudan Brigade had 2000 troops.
Secondary Support: Eritrea, Ethiopia and Uganda continued to support the NDA. By the end of the year Uganda and Sudan signed an agreement to end rebel activity on their common border, which meant that Uganda had to stop supporting the Sudanese opposition. The government also claimed that Rwandan, Burundian and Ugandan officers had helped planning an SPLA offensive, but this was dismissed by the SPLA as propaganda. There seemed to be no confirmation of the allegation.
2000 Group Archive
Government of Sudan - NDA
Comment on Name: National Democratic Alliance: NDA is an umbrella organisation of northern and southern opposition groups. SPLM/A is by far the largest party. Other members of the NDA are the two former government parties, DUP (Democratic Unionist Party), SAF (Sudan Alliance Forces), Beja Congress and the Communist Party. Until 2000 Umma party was also part of NDA but left the organisation in April 2000. However, NDA also have its own forces and its just when fighting taking place under a NDA-banner that they are included in this dyad. When for example SPLM/A or SAF are fighting on their own it is included in these specific dyad. As an umbrella organisation, involving almost all actors that oppose the Khartoum government, cohesion is often problematic and the parties within NDA is often acting on their own, both when it comes to fighting the government and negotiations with the same. Therefore, just the negotiations and fighting taking place under the name of NDA is involved in this dyad.
Troop Size: Missing
Comment on Troop Size: The exact number of troops that was under NDA command during the year is unclear but of the NDA members SPLM/A were known to have between 20 000 and 50 000 troops, SAF and Beja Congress both had 500 each, and New Sudan Brigade had 2000 troops. However, most of these troops fought under the command of their own group and not under NDA banner.
2001 Group Archive
Government of Sudan - NDA
Comment on Name: National Democratic Alliance: NDA is an umbrella organisation of northern and southern opposition groups. SPLM/A is by far the largest party and seen as an independent actor. Other members of the NDA are the two former government parties, DUP (Democratic Unionist Party), SAF (Sudan Alliance Forces), Beja Congress and the Communist Party. Until 2000 Umma party was also part of NDA but left the organisation in April 2000.
Troop Size: Missing
Comment on Troop Size: The exact number of troops that was under NDA command during the year is unclear but of the NDA members SPLM/A were known to have between 20 000 and 50 000 troops, however, most of these troops fought under the command of their own group and not under NDA banner. SAF and Beja Congress both had 500 each, and New Sudan Brigade had 2000 troops.
