Sudan urges France to reopen Khartoum embassy during envoy talks

October 13, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohi-Eddin Salem called on France on Tuesday to reopen its embassy in Khartoum during talks with French special envoy Jean-Marie Safa for Sudan and the Horn of Africa.

Most European ambassadors to Sudan continue to operate remotely from neighbouring countries, while several Arab and African nations have reopened diplomatic missions in Khartoum following improved security conditions in the capital.

The official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported that Salem met with Safa and expressed Sudan’s aspiration to rebuild ties with France on integrity, transparency, and facts on the ground.

Salem urged Paris to reopen its embassy in Khartoum along with the French cultural institute.

The minister also called on the French envoy to assess the reality of the situation in Sudan directly rather than adopt false narratives promoted by factions seeking a return to power, citing claims regarding the army’s alleged use of chemical weapons.

Salem added that Sudan was close to overcoming this challenging period.

The United States has accused the Sudanese government of using chemical weapons, imposing sanctions on May 22, 2025, that restricted U.S. exports to Sudan and limited access to credit lines.

Khartoum denies deploying chemical arms during the conflict that erupted in April 2023. The government established a national committee to investigate the claims and has repeatedly demanded that Washington disclose its evidence.

Salem and Safa discussed bilateral relations and pathways to peace and regional stability in the Horn of Africa.

Salem affirmed Sudan’s willingness to engage in dialogue with Ethiopia if Addis Ababa halts its support for the Rapid Support Forces and ceases threats to Sudanese integrity, emphasizing that Sudan desires peace after suffering the costs of war.

For his part, the French envoy stated that Paris seeks transparent relations with Sudan and is working to bridge divides among Sudanese parties through intra-Sudanese dialogue to ensure this war is the country’s last.

An independent committee, backed by the government, is conducting domestic consultations to lay the groundwork for an inclusive national dialogue.