From My Journal for May 9, 2004: Visit to Malakal

Went to Malakal yesterday to look into GOS-militia violence against civilians there. One day, there and back with CPMT. Also checked out where [my son] will be for a week of his internship.

Tonight, went to the EU national day reception. It was 107o at 9:00pm. I had on my guayabera and was sweating profusely. My EU colleagues were all in their suits and long sleeves. The Brit looked like we was standing under an invisible shower. I stayed 107 minutes and gave up. I had done enough business and drank two beers.

04 Khartoum 0468: Visit to Malakal, Upper Nile

04 Khartoum 0465: Meeting with Ghazi Saleh Eldin*

*Note:  Saleh Eldin was a leading figure within the ruling National Congress Party and former government minister but moved more and more in the reformist direction.  He resigned from the party in 2013.

04 Khartoum 0460: Meeting with Dinka, Messeria and Rezigat

04 Khartoum 0456: Meeting with Ruling Party

04 Khartoum 0454: Meeting with XXXXX*

* Note:  The PC was/is the Popular Congress Party headed by Hassan al-Turabi.

04 Khartoum 0451: Sudan-Violence Creates New Flow of IDPs in Upper Nile

04 Khartoum 0425: Demarche to Foreign Ministry on Darfur: Visas and Ceasefire Monitoring

From My Journal for April 23, 2004: Back From Leave

Went to work today to start digging out of some 300 plus emails (classified and un). But this afternoon, I went to the Embassy picnic for a bit. Completely organized by our local employees. Location,a farm on the Blue Nile. On the way there, my caravan of SUV plus follow-car came up behind a heard of goats completely blocking the dirt road. We all walked slowly for several minutes until the sheep sort of wandered into a field for some grass. I was listening to music and enjoying looking at all the colors and designs sheep come in. Yep, back in Sudan.

The picnic was quite nice. Was handed plates of food and played a game of volleyball. With a cool breeze from the river, it was bearable despite being way over 100. Volley ball on the shores of the Nile. Yep, back in Sudan.

04 Khartoum 0367: April 7, 2004 Meeting with Sudan's Foreign Minister*

* From my journal for April 7:  Met with the foreign minister and tried to find a way forward vis-à-vis the Chad talks. Maybe found one. Accepted his offer to have someone from the Embassy travel with him to Darfur. Meanwhile, the talks in Kenya maybe/maybe not have a breakthrough. Went to dinner on the Nile despite the heat. The warm breeze carried the smell of animal waste. Some kind of bug was out flying around the lights. But it actually wasn’t that bad. And sometimes a slightly cool, fresh breeze came along (helped by huge fans going at a respectful distance). Took the opportunity to try a waterpipe. Not bad. The slightly past full moon rose in the east over the Nile.