Catalogue of the papers of J. Lagu

Reference code: GB-0033-SAD
Title: Lagu, Joseph
Dates of creation: [1982]-2011
Extent: 8 digital files
Held by: Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections
Created by: Lagu, Joseph
Language: English, and Acholi, Arabic, Dinka, French, German, Madi, Spanish

Joseph Lagu

(1931 - )


	1958-1963	Sudanese Army
	1963	Southern Sudan Liberation Movement, commanding Anya-nya (army)
	1968-1972	Leader, Southern Sudan Liberation Movement and Commander-in-Chief, Anya-nya
	1972	Party to Addis Ababa Peace Accord
	1972-1978	Major-General, Sudanese Army; Inspector General (1972); General Officer Commanding, 1st Division (1975); Lieutenant-General (1976)
	1978-1979	President, High Executive Council, Southern Region
	1982-1985	Vice-President of Sudan
	1985	Settled in the UK; joined Moral Re-Armament movement
	1988-1990, 1992-1998	Roving Ambassador for Sudan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
	1990-1992	Permanent Representative of Sudan to the United Nations

Arrangement

1. Correspondence

(a) Sudan and wider Africa

(b) Rest of world

2. Personal papers

3. Speeches, open letters and articles

(a) Political

(b) Peacemaking and civil society

4. Religious writing

5. Newspaper cuttings

Accession details

Presented by Martina Yanga and Peter Everington, 3 October 2020.

Catalogue

Official papers

1. Correspondence

SAD.D61/1-2

[1982]-2004
Correspondence advocating coordinated conflict resolution and reconciliation and Sudanese events and initiatives, from Lagu to various correspondents. Papers are arranged chronologically in the file but listed below by correspondent.

SAD.D61/1/1-163

[1982]-2000
Correspondence regarding Sudan and Africa

Jaafar Nimeiry: on decentralisation (1982 x 1985); with Abel Alier, joint views on constitutional reform (1984); reporting on deteriorating political and economic conditions in Sudan following visit, recommending forgiveness and citing open letter by Lagu “As you were”, urging cooperation toward civil society goals, deprecating behaviour of younger generation of leaders (1988); noting their past military service together in Juba, and deterioration of conditions in Sudan, and ethnic / political splits in the South and the North leading to opportunistic weak alliances now being tested by fighting at Wau and “feudal” Mirghani's reaction to SPLM/A planned Republic of Kush, and noting the wish of northern Sudanese to abandon sectarian politics whether NIF or NDA and proposing Nimeiri's return in leadership of SSU-like national political party to contest free elections, reiterating peace plan as published in Lagu's open letter to the Sudanese (1998)

Peter Everington: 1990 briefing note on Lagu's role in national dialogue process in Sudan post coup, Nairobi talks, and role of Egypt (1984, 1990); Lagu memorandum on working with Everington [1993]

Vice-President George H.W. Bush: briefing on southern Sudan, decentralisation, and communism (1985)

Suwar al-Dahab: on decentralisation and the 1972 Addis Ababa Agreeement (1985); writing jointly with Abel Alier, proposing restoration of the 1972 Agreement and greater devolution, and federalist system, suggesting Indian model (1985)

John Garang: open letter listing contributory causes of resistance, counselling formation of a wider non-ideological coalition of the south, providing headings of proposed peace talks, with invitation to visit SPLM/A headquarters and personal note from Garang, and letter from Sadiq al-Mahdi's office supporting Lagu's efforts to establish peaceful dialogue with Garang (1987); with offer of meeting with Garang, Machar, Nyuon Bany and Bashir to end hostilities in advance of Abuja talks (Nairobi, 1992)

Sadiq al-Mahdi: letter to Lagu supporting his efforts to establish peaceful dialogue with Garang (1987); Lagu urging establishment of southern governing Council in Juba, stronger efforts toward peace, informing him of visit to Garang at Addis Ababa and anticipating minimum demands of SPLM/A re defence pacts and Sharia laws, relaying messages from his meeting with Garang (1987); with responses to Lagu's letter [not present] concerning Equatoria (1988); further proposals and requirements for peace in southern Sudan, listing southern military and civilian leaders likely to work constructively on such a plan with the North (1988)

“You provoked me Khalifa”, verse (with English translation) on racism in northern Sudan (New York, 1987)

Rev. Patrick Doherty: reporting failed coup in Sudan and breaking with regime (1990)

Osman Ahmed El Hassan: reporting his coming attendance at a Moral Re-Armament (MRA) conference in San Salvador and recommending meeting with the organisation in the UK (1990)

Omar al-Bashir: with detailed proposals toward reconciliation with the South, and responses from Taha and Bashir (1992); in reaction to ministerial reshuffle, anticipating more conciliatory policy, and suggesting southern peace initiative and greater freedoms for political adversaries (1993); response from Ali Taha to letter [not present] from Lagu to Bashir [suggesting peace initiative] (1995); referencing meetings with Ali Taha in London and UN diplomats in New York, and linking a new Sudan peace initiative to the issue of Ethiopia-Egypt extradition [UN Resolution 1054], and offering to open a dialogue between the Sudanese Government and the leadership of the Southern movement on the basis of a federal solution, the revocation of Sharia law in the South, and with Bashir response (1996); noting achievements of recent peace agreements with SSIM and SPLA United and SPLA, enclosing film on reconciliation Is he my brother? (1997); to Omar al-Bashir and Hassan Abdalla Turabi, supporting Libyan - Egyptian mediation attempts and urging reconciliation (2000), and commending decision to share oil revenues and urging similar approach to conflicts in other parts of Sudan (2003); commending reported offer of dialogue by Bashir and offering help (2004)

Ali Taha: suggesting private meeting with British group interested in promoting peace initiatives in Sudan (1993); reporting visit to Sudan and Kenya, with proposals including peace accord, meeting between Al-Turabi and Moi, and reporting possible NDA planned summer offensive (1996); reporting MRA conference at Caux, upcoming visit to New York, and talks with Sayed Mohamed El Amin Khalifa (1996); reporting his daughter's academic progress and seeking financial support, noting Sudan's growing isolation and polarisation of opinion hindering his activities as peace ambassador, proposing new role as ambassador to a regional state (1997);

Bona Malwal: draft of a second conciliatory letter to fellow Sudanese, listing collected historical sources to be cited (1992)

Mohamed Al-Amin Khalifa: noting positive start to peace talks in first session, and offering invitation to attend, with Lagu, a MRA conference at Caux; and recommending strong response by Sudanese National Assembly to events in South Africa (1992); acknowledging news of death of Jabulon Jada Yanga, noting destabalisation of northeast Zaire, the role of Uganda and the consequences for security in southern Sudan, advising engagement with conciliatory and neutral regional partners including UAE, and naming Sudanese political moderates (1997); concerning visit to Emir of Kano [for MRA conference], enclosing Lagu's second letter to fellow Sudanese [not present], recommending peace agreements with all groups or risk of hopeless Somalia / Liberia situation (1997); reporting meeting with Emir of Kano, lobbying for Nigerian Government to support the 21 April SSIM peace agreement and to mediate, and inferring from Garang's reaction to the agreement a weakening of SPLA alliance with Sadiq al-Mahdi and Mirghani and Garang's wish for recognition of his preeminence in the South, recommending talks be proposed to Garang through Nigeria and with the support of Christian NGOs (1997)

Ali El Hag: concerning Lagu's status in the UK and his official employment (1992); seeking government's financial support to attend MRA conferences in Cambodia and South Africa, and suggesting meetings with foreign ministers of Egypt and Uganda (1993)

William Nyuon Bany: appeal to end hostilities and request for meeting (Nairobi, 1992)

Canon Michael Saward: meeting with Canon Roger Symon, Secretary for Anglican Communion Affairs, concerning unspecified proposal by Lagu to the Archbishop of Canterbury (1993)

Mohamed El Murtada Mustafa: advocating a return to former constitutional structures - a 3- or 5-person Supreme Council of State and a return to the Addis Ababa Agreement for southern government, a referendum option to remain open (1995)

Rev. Canon A. Deughar: offering thanks for Lagu's timely advice to the Archbishop of Canterbury just prior to his visit to Sudan and enclosing report [not present] of that visit (1995)

Almonds Griffiths and Lancasters: report of Khartoum meetings with Bashir, Taha, Sadiq al-Mahdi, Abel Alier, Ahmed al-Mahdi, enclosing Plan of Work [May-August 1996, approved by Sudan Goernment] and Report [to Khartoum] on Arrival in UK [the latter not present] (1996)

Julius Nyerere: requesting support in establishing dialogue between Sudan Government and SPLA, enclosing Plan of Work May-Aug 1996, and noting SPLA support for Nyerere role, and requesting meeting (1996); report following Lagu's return from Sudan, noting outcome of meetings with Dr Chol Dau Ding who relayed Garang's requirement that peace initiatives be submitted through IGAD, and with Ugandan, Tanzanian and Kenyan High Commissioners in London, and with various Sudanese groups in the UK including a report of public speeches by Gordon Muortat and Bona Malual (1996)

United Nations (Boutros Boutros Ghali and Kofi Annan): reporting Lagu's recent activities with Sudanese parties to the conflict, enclosing Bashir correspondence, recommending greater UN engagement and reiterating Lagu's wish to work with the UN; with response from Ghali recommending Sudanese Government engage in substantive negotiations through IGAD, noting consequences if Sudanese Government fails to comply with Resolution 1054, and noting UN support for Operation Lifeline Sudan and Sudanese Government's poor cooperation (1996); urging renewed UN engagement with Sudan and offering his services (1997); noting current situation in Sudan and its causes, recommending mediation role for Nelson Mandela be extended from Burundi to Angola and the Congo, seeking peacekeeping role with the UN (2000);

Riak Machar: welcoming recent telephone consultation, commending peace accord with Sudanese Government and “mature” agreement to cede primacy to Garang, enclosing text of talk by Lagu - “Guerrilla Warfare” - and noting the achievement of forcing talks obviates the need to continue the war, noting past causes of armed resistance in the South and disassociating Sudan Government from these provocations, and requesting meeting in Sudan (1997)

Clare Short, UK Secretary of State for International Development: noting her evidence to the International Development Committee on 24 June, urging greater international pressure on the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A (1998)

Selim A. Selim, OAU: Lagu and Bere-Pele Harry jointly introduce the organisation Peace Action for Sudan and Africa (PAFSA) and its aims and activities, describing conditions in Sudan and advocating greater OAU role including declaration of safe-havens should a comprehensive cease-fire agreement fail to be achieved, inviting attendance at a PAFSA conference in London; with reply welcoming the initiatives and recommending engagement with IGAD Secretariat (1998)

Al Hagi Ado Bayero Emir of Kano: reporting MRA Caux conference outcomes including sending a MRA delegation to Sudan, and urging the Emir to influence Nigerian policy toward the Congo conflict (1998); welcoming the release and election of Olusegun Obasanjo (1999)

Yoweri Museveni: briefing on PAFSA activities and seeking political support (1998); reporting Khartoum Preliminary Reconciliation Conference and proposing Kampala host an inter-southern group dialogue process parallel to an Egyptian - Libyan initiative for opposing northern groups (2000)

Olusegun Obasanjo: welcoming his release and election (1998); noting meeting in London, suggesting renewal of peacemaking role in Sudan, enclosing Conflict and Resolution by Alan Griffith (1999); reporting from MRA Caux conference, suggesting African peace initiative led by Obasanjo, Nyerere, Mandela and Ghadaffi (1999); reporting Khartoum Preliminary Reconciliation Conference and proposing Nigeria host a meeting between Bashir and Garang (2000); offering thanks for Nigerian offer to sponsor dialogue between southern groups, echoing calls for peace from younger generation and the diaspora, providing background to conflict in Sudan and among southern Sudanese peoples, urging broader international engagement with ending the war, proposing reconstruction programme and financial support (2001)

Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs: reporting activities as roving Ambassador (1992); summarising SPLA campaign objectives and recommending greater engagement with Machar and Kerubino Kwanyin (1997);

Omer Yousif Bireedo: noting appointment as Adviser to the President and his termination as Roving Ambassador, but requesting more notice before taking up his new appointment in Khartoum (1998); confirming wish to become an “independent voice” and relief as an officer of the Sudanese state (1998)

Rev. Harry Almond: reporting visit to Nigeria and text of petition to the president to mediate in southern Sudan, and enclosing briefing document to the president [not present], and reporting death of his brother (2001);

Leopold Senghor: noting political achievements and poor economic conditions in South Africa and advocating value of lightening sanctions to advance peace (1987)

Nelson Mandela: with statement of Lagu's motivation for his visit to South Africa in connection with MRA conference (1993)

Sen. Claiborne Pell: urging delay to South African elections and affording greater role for marginalised Chief Buthelezi, and enclosing copy letter [not present] to Nelson Mandela (1994)

James Hore-Ruthven: nominating MRA delegation to visit African peace mission, naming local MRA coordinators and statesmen to meet in various countries (1999)

Muammar Gaddafi: noting their meeting in 1975, suggesting African peace initiative led by Obasanjo, Mandela and Ghadaffi, and enclosing Conflict and Resolution by Alan Griffith (1999)

Arab League: seeking peacemaking assignment (1990)

Daniel arap Moi: seeking his support for Lagu's appointment to a peacekeeping role at the UN or the OAU (1993)

Language: English; Arabic
Digitised version

SAD.D61/2/1-26

1990-2000
Correspondence relating to the rest of the world.

Peter Everington: itinerary and informal report of Scottish tour (1990)

President of the Supreme Court of El Salvador, to Sudanese Ambassador to the UK, requesting support for Lagu's attendance at Moral Re-Armament (MRA) conference in San Salvador (1992); with report by Lagu of his visit to El Salvador and the political conditions, with list of recommendations (1992);

United Nations: from Marrack Goulding, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, welcoming MRA's involvement in the peace process in El Salvador, discouraging Lagu's suggestion that the Salvadorian Army participate in peacekeeping operations (1992); to Boutros Boutros Ghali, with report of MRA conference in Cambodia; and seeking peacekeepign role, with response (1993);

H. MacNicol: informal report of Scottish tour (1993)

Lasserres, Chavannes, Tates: informal report of French tour (1995);

Lorraine Khan, Cardiff Interfaith Association, following Lagu speech (1995);

Madhav Patil, Mayor of Ealing (1997);

Northern Ireland: John Major (1993); Gen. de Chastelain, with reference for Lagu from Laurent Gagnon (1999); Peter Hannon (1999); David Trimble, with response (2000); Gerry Adams (2000).

Language: English; Spanish
Digitised version

2. Personal papers

SAD.D61/3/1-18

1992-1998
Curriculum vitae (1992 and 1998) (SAD.D61/3/1-8)
Correspondence concerning Lagu and his family's visa and residency status in the UK: Alec Stirling, UK Ambassador to Sudan (1985); Rev. Dr Richard Rodgers (1997); Rev. Noel White (1997); Sir George Young (1997); Peter Everington (1997) (SAD.D61/3/9-18).
Digitised version

3. Speeches, open letters and articles

(a) Political

SAD.D61/4/1-135

1986-2011
Speeches and public statements on Sudanese and wider African affairs: Press release re current political situation in Sudan (February 1986); “The uneasiness caused by the Islamic Sharia [laws]” (1987); “As you were” (London, 1988); “The way to peace and stability in the Sudan” (London, 1988); Remarks to southern Sudanese group at the Officers Club Armed Forces (Khartoum, 1989); Statement read on Sudanese TV (1989); Statment read on BBC World Service (1989); Underlying issues in Sudan and prospects of peace (London, 1990); “A brief survey of the conflicts within the Republic of Sudan” (1990); open letter to the Sudanese people (printed, 1991); “An address to the Equatorian community of Southern Sudan in the United Kingdom” (London, 1992); Statement read on Sudanese TV (1993); Issues relating to the civil war (Arab Research Centre London, 1994); draft open letter to Fellow Sudanese (1996); “Guerrilla warfare” (St Andrews, 1997); “Peace in the Sudan” (London, 1997) “Militarism (guerrilla warefares) and militarisation in the Great Lakes region” (London, 1998); “Sudan - Despair or deliverance” (Sheffield, 1999); National Preliminary Reconciliation Conference (Khartoum, 2000); South Sudan Democratic Forum (London, 2001); “Prospects for peace in Sudan. What kind of peace in 2004? The lessons of 1972” (Oxford, 2003); “A way to sustainable peace with justice & unity in the Sudan” (Cambridge, 2004); “Harmonious co-existence (a culture of peace)” (Khartoum, [2005]); “Democracy. The way to peace & unity in the Sudan” (Egyptian Embassy, London, [2005]); “The struggle of South Sudanese for freedom” (Juba, 2011)
Language: English; Arabic
Digitised version

(b) Peacemaking and civil society

SAD.D61/5/1-114

1987-2003
Speeches and associated papers on peace negotiations and humanitarian affairs: Sudanese Constituent Assembly (Addis Ababa, 1987); Moral Re-Armament (MRA) Youth Conference, Caux (1987); “Moral Re-Armament - a force for healing”, Association of Maritime Engineers of Pakistan (Karachi, 1989); “A moral encounter for peace” MRA conference (San Salvador, 1990); report [for MRA journal] by Peter Everington of Lagu speech in Khartoum (1991); Concluding remarks concerning the role of intellectuals in Sudan reconciliation process [1992]; MRA conference speech (San Salvador, 1992); MRA conference speech (Kingston, Jamaica, 1992); “Dialogue in search of peace with my Southern Sudanese Community in the United Kingdom and Kenya”, with (annex 1) copy of Lagu's proposal for the decentralisation of the southern region presented to President Nimeiri “before the break up of the region into three separate parts”, and (annex 2) “Federalism as a way to Peace” [by Lagu], with map of Southern Sudan (printed, London and Nairobi, 1992); Flyer for “Barriers or Bridges?” Croydon and South London Bridge Builders conference (London, 1992); “The quest for peace in the Sudan, with the Sudanese Community in the United Kingdom” (printed, London, 1993); Flyer, “The struggle for justice without hatred” MRA Forum (Oxford, 1993); Flyer, MRA conference “Cambodge: construire la confiance pour établir la paix” (Phnom Penh, 1993); “The struggle for justice without hatred”, National Cities Conference (Richmond, Virginia, 1993); open letter to MRA colleagues in South Africa (1993); “The struggle for justice without hatred” (Sheffield, 1993); “The move for peace in the Sudan” (Edinburgh, 1993); “The struggle for justice without hatred” (Newbury, 1993); “For a New Africa”, MRA conference (Yaounde, Cameroon, 1994); MRA conference, with report (Caux, 1994); “The future of Africa depends on each one of us” (Paris, 1995); “Faith - a factor in international relations”, Cardiff Interfaith Association (Tirley Garth, 1995); “Faith - a factor in international affairs” (Cambridge, 1996); “Making my contribution”, Refugee Council, not delivered (London, 1999); “Dialogue on Wales' Role” conference, Atlantic College Wales (1999); “The struggle for justice without hatred”, “Africa in search of good governance” MRA conference (Accra, 2003).
Language: English; French
Digitised version

(c) Miscellaneous

SAD.D61/6/1

[1980s x 2010s]
“Madi drunkard's song” (?Madi); “God save the King” (Dinka).
Language: Madi; Dinka; English
Digitised version

4. Religious writing

SAD.D61/7/1-38

[1980s]-1998
Religious verses and songs, tributes, and public statements or speeches.
Digitised version
Language: Madi; Dinka; Acholi; Juba Arabic; Arabic; English

SAD.D61/7/1-23

[1980s x 2010s]
21 religious verses and songs.

Index terms
Poetry

SAD.D61/7/24-29

1989-1998
Tributes following the deaths of: O.C. Allison (1989); C.L. Cook (1997); Allan Griffith (1998); Bishop Daniel Zindo (1998); Hilary Paul Logali (1998).

SAD.D61/7/30-38

1987-1993
Statements by Lagu, Mulugeta Asserate and Lucille Clarke at Tirley Garth “Everyone's chance to make a difference in the world” conference (1987); Talk on theme of leadership, with translation of the British National Anthem in Dinka (MRA Centre, Westminster, 1988); National Prayer Breakfast (London, 1993); Christmas card to Peter Everington; MRA speaking notes against division and criticism; statement defining MRA and supporting For a Change.

5. Newspaper cuttings

SAD.D61/8/1-36

1988-2007
“The Conciliator ”, profile by Michael Henderson (1988); “The guerrilla who made peace”, profile by Peter Everington (For a change, 1989); “Guerrillo et homme de paix. Portrait d'un général soudanais”, profile by Peter Everington (Changer, 1989); “Central America - ingredients of peace”, report of Costa Rica dialogue and MRA San Salvador conference attended by Lagu ([MRA publication], 1990); “Vom Guerillaführer zum Friedensstifter. “Mach dich einfach dran und tue es!””, profile by Peter Everington (MRA publication, 1990); “A letter to my Fellow Sudanese” (US World Journals Communications, 1991); Report of MRA San Salvador conference attended by Lagu ([MRA publication], 1992); “Mercy in war” (Freeway, 1992); Newsletter reporting Lagu speech “Justice without hatred” at Sheffield (1993); “Wind of good hope is blowing over South Africa: Gen. Largo” (Graaf-Reinet Advertiser, [1994]); “The story of General Joseph Lagu” (Gleaner, Jamaica, 1994); Report of a visit to Paris by Lagu (Quinze echos, Paris, 1994); Report of visit to Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa by Lagu (MRA Canadian Newsletter, 1996); Report of meeting between Lagu and UN ambassadors and officials in New York (MRA publication, 1996); ““I think it can work”. Canada's negotiator looks at the peace pact” by Gen. de Chastelain ([Maclean's], 1998); “The self-inflicted open sores of a country: a review of Lt. Gen. Joseph Lagu's memoir”, book review of Lagu's Sudan: Odyssey through a State. From ruin to hope by Mairi John Blackings (Review of African Political Economy, 2007).
Language: French; German ; English

Index terms
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)

Digitised version