UK pledges to maintain strong ties with Sudan
By Ngor Arol Garang
March 28, 2011 (WAU) – A visiting top official from the government of the UK has pledged to maintain strong relations with both the north and South Sudanese governments and their people from Khartoum on Sunday.
South Sudan is scheduled to officially declare its independence in July 2011. In accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005, which ended more than two decades of civil war between north and south Sudan, southern Sudanese voted on secession in January 2011. They voted overwhelmingly in favour of forming a new country.
In a press statement released on Monday the UK consulate explained that the visiting official is expected to meet senior government officials in Khartoum before travelling to the regional capital of Juba for similar talks with officials in the South until 30 March 2011. He will also participate in a roundtable discussion with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Khartoum to discuss regional issues.
“We have a shared interest in making that happen. We will continue to work with the Sudanese people in Northern and Southern Sudan to help them to build the future that they deserve so that they are able to live in peace and prosperity. I am here to emphasize that commitment”, read part of the press statement.
On arrival in Khartoum on 27 March, Hitchens was quoted as saying:
“The UK commitment to Sudan is strong, and will remain so after 9 July.
Through our Embassy in Khartoum, our newly upgraded Consulate General in Juba and the offices of the Department for International Development and the British Council in both cities, the UK is working to support the transition to two countries at peace internally, between themselves and within the region.”
South Sudan is scheduled to officially declare its independence in July 2011. In accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of 2005, which ended more than two decades of civil war between north and south Sudan, southern Sudanese voted on secession in January 2011. They voted overwhelmingly in favour of forming a new country.
The US’s Consulate in Juba opened in 2005, China’s in 2008 and north Sudan’s Embassy in Juba opened this year.
The visiting British official was appointed as Director for Africa in August 2010. This is his first visit to Sudan after his appointment. The visit shows commitment of government of the United Kingdom to promoting strong ties with both the north and South. According to the release, UK commitments to Sudan include over £140m (US$224m) to UN peacekeeping in Sudan and £140m of development aid this financial year. The UK recently announced plans to provide a further £560m (US$896m) over the next four years in bilateral aid across north and South Sudan.
(ST)