Ali Osman Taha

Ali Osman Taha (also transliterated "Othman" or "Uthman") has been the first Vice President of Sudan from 1998 to the present. He was the country's Foreign Minister for three years prior to becoming Vice President.

Taha has worked to establish cease-fires with rebel groups in the country and claims "I do not seek power. All I want is for all political forces to come together and act for the common good." He also claims that the body count of the Darfur conflict reported by the UN is wildly inaccurate and that there is no evidence of atrocities committed by the Janjaweed.

When Taha expressed a desire to resign his post in early 2004, President Omar Al-Bashir convinced him to remain because he would "be needed in the coming phase" of their political efforts.

Various sources allege that his administration has supported the Janjaweed in their activities in Darfur.

External links

• Article about Taha from a Cairo news source
• August 2004 BBC interview
• Article on Taha's negotiations with Abyei rebels