Canada’s FM to visit Sudan next week
March 16, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The head of the Canadian diplomacy is expected to pay a five-day visit to Sudan where he will visit Darfur and southern Sudan.
Bernier will also visit Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur state and Juba the capital of Southern Sudan.
The Director of America Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Abdelbasit Al-Sanusi, said that the talks of the Canadian minister in Sudan will focus on the relations between Sudan and Canada, the developments in Darfur and the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
Canada is a supporter of the CPA, which ended the conflict between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement. Since 2005, the Canada has pledged over $135M in assistance to Sudan, including $85 million for humanitarian assistance and $50 million for reconstruction.
In August 2007, Sudan-Canada diplomatic relations deteriorated following the expulsion of the Canadian chargé d’affairs to Sudan Nuala Lawlor, whom the Sudanese government accused of “meddling in its affairs.”
Canada has already cut off bilateral aid to the Sudanese government and ensures that its aid money flows through the AU mission in that country.
Since 2004 Canada has committed approximately 441 million Canadian dollars toward humanitarian assistance, peacebuilding projects, reconstruction efforts and support for the African Union Mission in Sudan, making it the fourth-largest donor to the mission.
(ST)