INTERVIEW: Sudan, London in talks to improve bilateral ties: envoy
March 25, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The United Kingdom’s ambassador to Khartoum Peter Tibber has acknowledged differences between his country and Sudan but revealed that the two nations started a dialogue upon request from Khartoum to push forward bilateral ties.
Tibber noted the considerable role played by his country towards helping achieve comprehensive peace in Sudan, saying that UK provided £48 million in humanitarian assistance to the needy population in Sudan besides offering capacity building programs to Sudanese people in areas of information and entrepreneurship.
“It is true that differences exist between us and we have concerns over [the situation] in Sudan but we must address [those differences and concerns] through bilateral relations,” he said.
He disclosed that Matt Baugh, head of the East and West Africa Department at the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, arrived in Khartoum for talks with officials at Sudan’s foreign ministry upon a request from the latter.
“We will see how far this initiative could go and see the possibility of holding dialogue between the two countries to discuss bilateral and regional relations besides issues of common interests,” he added.
Tibber said that Baugh met on Wednesday with the director of the bilateral relations department at Sudan’s foreign ministry Dafa’alla al-Hag Ali Osman and the director of the European department, Youssef al-Kordofani.
The ambassador underscored that Sudan was not exclusively targeted by the recent human rights report issued by the UK’s foreign office, adding that issuance of these reports is an established tradition in UK’s foreign policy.
“We believe that everyone’s rights must be respected [because] it is very difficult to achieve peace, stability and prosperity without securing human rights,” he added.
He went on to say that Sudan’s constitution provides for the respect of human rights, mentioning that Sudan is a signatory to several international agreements and conventions on human rights.
The British diplomat said that they urged Sudan to honor its obligations towards human rights, adding that they work with rights groups to monitor violations and provide support for the victims.
“We also see that the work of the [UN] independent expert on the situation of human rights in Sudan is very important not only for criticizing the [Sudanese government] but also for providing advice and guidance on dealing with those [human rights] issues,” he said.
He stressed that efforts made to address human rights conditions succeeded in bringing the issue to the forefront besides supporting the affected in several cases, saying the report stated that human rights situation in Sudan is worrisome and is heading for the worst.
The British ambassador dismissed claims by the Sudanese government that deteriorating human rights conditions were caused by economic sanctions imposed on the country.
“I believe that sanctions are another issue. Irrespective of the economic sanctions, Sudan could face several allegations pertaining to human rights violations and [either way] Britain does not impose economic sanctions on Sudan,” he said.
Earlier this month, the UK embassy in Khartoum issued a report saying human rights situation in Sudan remains of deep concern to the UK, pointing there was no overall improvement in 2014 and in some areas the situation has deteriorated.
Sudan’s foreign ministry attributed deterioration in all aspects of life in Sudan including human rights situation to the economic sanctions imposed on the country.
Washington imposed economic and trade sanctions on Sudan in 1997 in response to its alleged connection to terror networks and human rights abuses. In 2007 it strengthened the embargo, citing abuses in Darfur which it labeled as genocide.
NATIONAL DIALOGUE
The British ambassador said his country supported the national dialogue initiative launched by the Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir, recalling that they stated from the outset that in order for the dialogue to succeed, it must be detailed and comprehensive.
“We are upset, like other people because dialogue has stalled and we wish the next move would succeed,” he said.
He was alluding to the dialogue’s preparatory meeting which will kick off on Sunday in Addis Ababa under the auspices of the African Union.
The ambassador said that all parties must reflect their commitment to the national dialogue in deeds rather than words, emphasising the need to create an atmosphere which allows all parties to freely express their views and engage in discussion.
“All parties must be committed to end the conflict,” he added
SUDAN’S FOREIGN DEBTS
Tibber said his country played a leading role in designing and implementing systems applied by several countries to secure debt relief through the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.
He said that Sudan must develop its economic policies and direct money and resources to poor sectors of the society in order to take advantage of the HIPC.
“This would eventually lead to the cancellation of debts and several countries had done that,” he said.
The British diplomat added that Sudan did not meet the technical requirements for debt relief, acknowledging that the political situation also affects debt relief.
“Conflicts are major cause of poverty and addressing the root causes of conflicts will eliminate the causes of poverty and hence helps in cancellation of Sudan’s debts,” he added
Sudan’s external debt is estimated to be around $46 billion. Khartoum says it has completed technical and economic requirements for debt cancellation but observers assert that it is difficult for Sudan to secure it without western backing.
The debit relief requires the unanimous consent of all 55 countries in the Paris Club, a matter that they see as improbable.
ISIS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN
The British ambassador also expressed concern about the nine British citizens of Sudanese who joined the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), describing the extremism as a challenge that must be faced by several countries including Sudan and Britain.
“We are speaking about very small numbers [of youths] who were attracted by ISIS and this poses a challenge to all of us. We must use various means including education to convince people and prevent them from joining ISIS,” he said.
Earlier this week, several British media outlets confirmed rumors swirling in Khartoum this month alleging that nine medical students from Sudanese origins entered Syria via Turkey to work in hospitals under the control of the Islamic State ISIS.
The students who hold British citizenship belong to upper middle-class families residing in the UK who sent their children to study medicine at a private college in Khartoum belonging to a state minister.
The circumstances behind how they were collectively convinced to undertake this endeavour are unknown.
Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party (NCP) political secretary Mustafa Osman Ismail called on government agencies to study reasons behind this migration by these students.
“The state apparatus must be attentive and proactive, and if there are any signs of recruitment it should be aborted,” Ismail said on Sunday.
(ST)