Resumption of Sudan’s economic support depends on credible civilian-led transition: G7
December 15, 2021 (KHARTOUM) – The G7 group of industrialised nations will not resume their economic and development support to Sudan before the return to a credible civilian-led transitional process.
In response to the military takeover of the civilian cabinet on October 25, the main supporters of the democratic transition and economic reforms in Sudan including the United States, the European Union and the World Bank condemned the coup decided to freeze direct aid packages.
The United States has suspended $700 million in economic assistance while the World Bank, paused $2 billion in grants. The funding for a safety net programme to support families affected by the reforms has been also paused.
In a meeting held in Liverpool, Britain, from 10 to 12 December, the foreign and development ministers from the G7 decided to stick to their original position until the restoration of a civilian-led transition.
In a joint statement released after the meeting, the foreign ministers said the humanitarian aid will not be affected and they will continue to provide this assistance as was the case during the former regime.
“Other support would need to reflect progress made by the transitional government on returning to a credible and sustainable civilian-led transition process,” stressed the statement.
International diplomats say the economic support is dedicated to reforming the economy and establishing a democracy in Sudan not to replacing the al-Bashir regime with another dictatorial regime.
The coup leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan signed a political agreement with Prime Minister Abdallah Hmadok on November 21.
Accordingly, the latter has been reinstated but he has to form a cabinet that would work under the supervision of the military.
On Tuesday, Hamdok said that his new cabinet will be formed after the ongoing consultations on a political declaration between the political forces supportive of his deal with the coup leader.
On December 8, Minister of Finance Gibril Ibrahim, a former rebel leader who supports the coup, confirmed to Reuters that the international financial institutions suspended $650 million needed to continue economic reforms.
(ST)