Western Envoys Vow to Resume Support for Sudan Transition
Special envoys from the
European Union, Britain, France, Germany, Norway, and the U.S. have vowed to
support Sudan's transition to a civilian-led government.
The six envoys arrived
in Khartoum Wednesday and met with Sudanese political leaders to show support
for the country’s ongoing political transition. But they agreed to resume
financial support to Sudan only once a civilian-led transitional government is
formed.
The envoys made the
pledge late Wednesday after meeting with the head of Sudan’s ruling Sovereign
Council, General Abdul Fattah al-Burhan.
Speaking after the
meeting, Peter Lord, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary for East Africa, Sudan
and South Sudan, said the envoys are in Khartoum to acquaint themselves with
the ongoing political process.
He said they believe
that the December 5th political framework agreement is the best basis to form
the next civilian-led government in Sudan, and the best basis to establish a
constitutional arrangement for a transitional period that results in elections.
"It’s our strong hope
that the parties will make a quick formation of a civilian led-government that
is able to lead Sudan out of its current political, economic crises,” said
Lord.
On December 5th,
Sudanese civilian and military leaders signed a power-sharing deal that raised
hopes of ending clashes between security forces and protesters that have
persisted since the country’s October 2021 military coup.
Lord said it was their
hope that the framework agreement will mark the first step toward forming a
civilian-led government, which will prepare the nation for elections.
In early January,
various Sudanese political forces that were signatories to the framework
agreement launched discussions on army and security reforms, transitional
justice, and dismantling elements of former President Omar al-Bashir’s
government.
Khalid Omer Yousif, the
official spokesperson for the ongoing political process, welcomed the visit of
the six western envoys and says it is a good opportunity for them to learn
about the challenges facing the process in Sudan.
He said the envoys
expressed their understanding about challenges facing the political process in
Sudan and their readiness to fully support all the actors to reach an urgent
political solution in a short time.
The envoys’ visit
coincided with an official visit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to
Khartoum Wednesday, as part of his African tour to strengthen economic and
political ties.
Sudanese political
analyst Haj Hamed said Russia was trying to send a signal to Western countries
that it also has strong ties with Sudan and it has to protect its interests.
"They are the main
suppliers of the army with weapons and they are already supporting Himetti
[Dagalo] by training and other things,” he said. "They have their own companies
that are buying gold. So they have to protect this economic interest by
standing firm. The Russians are becoming more aggressive now within their
foreign policy as they are now becoming more militarily aggressive in Ukraine.”
The state-owned SUNA
news agency reported that Lavrov met Thursday morning with General al-Burhan
and his deputy, Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.
SUNA reported the
meeting focused on Sudanese-Russian relations and ways to enhance them in all
fields, as well as the political crisis in Sudan in light of the December
framework agreement.
VOA
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