While President Nimeiri had initially cracked down on Islamic activists, by 1983 he had embraced Islamism in an attempt to boost his popularity, which had suffered along with the country's economy.
VOA: standard.2009.05.31
Mr Samper, weakened by corruption scandals and a sickly economy, had wanted the hostages freed to boost the popularity of his Liberal Party before presidential and congressional elections next May, but he is loth to provoke the armed forces further.