British ambassador resumes blog despite critcism

November 5, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The British ambassador to Sudan resumed his controversial blog on Friday, striking a conciliatory tone after his last entry, which addressed inflation and the disputed region of Abyei, brought protests from Khartoum.

On Tuesday Nicholas Kay told journalists that despite being summoned by Khartoum’s foreign ministry over his October blog post – ‘Celebrating World Food Day in Sudan?‘ – he would continue writing. His most recent entry discussed a recent ministerial visit as well as cultural, educational and health care links between the two countries.

He wrote that given the strength of UK-Sudan bilateral relations he was “concerned” that his last blog had caused a media storm and led to ‘complaints from several sources.’

It was not his or the UK’s intention “to have a public falling out,” he said.

“The strength and depth of our relations should mean that we respect each other’s right to hold and express our views. On many issues we agree; on some we don’t. That seems to me entirely normal. We have known each other so long and so well that we should neither be surprised nor take umbrage if on occasion we do not see eye to eye.”

His previous blog questioned the rationale of celebrating World Food Day “in a country where hunger stalks the land,” noting that it was no surprise that Khartoum had seen small protests about food prices.

“You don’t have to travel to the periphery of Sudan to find hunger. Daily life in Khartoum is increasingly hard,” Kay wrote in his October post.

Speaking to Reuters on Tuesday, Kay said he was “very pleased the blog has stimulated a debate about some of these important issues.”

Sudan’s economic situation has deteriorated dramatically since South Sudan seceded in July, taking with it 75% of Sudan’s oil revenues. On the black market in Khartoum, at times, dollars could be exchanged at almost twice the official rate last month. In August annual inflation reached 21% causing food price protests in the capital.

The pro-government media in Khartoum are regularly critical of Kay’s blog. In August a newspaper called for him to be expelled after he wrote that it was the Sudanese government’s choice, “whether the national budget for the intelligence service continues to be higher than the budget for education..”

Britain has recently announced it will provide £4.8 million to fund the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) in Sudan for aid projects in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile where various rebel groups are fighting the government.

(ST)

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UK pledges aid for Sudan

By Toby Collins

November 1, 2011 (LONDON) – During a visit to Khartoum a UK minister for development made an aid pledge and conveyed his government’s concern regarding the ongoing conflicts in Blue Nile, South Kordofan and Darfur.

The British parliamentary under-secretary of state for international development, Stephen O’Brien is on a three day visit to Sudan from 1 – 3 November.

The foreign office stated that the visit is demonstrative of the “UK’s ongoing commitment to supporting Sudan in becoming a peaceful, prosperous state that is able to deliver to and for all the people of Sudan.”

The Khartoum government is currently involved in conflict with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, near the border.

This conflict has led to widespread condemnation from aid-giving countries.

It has been reported that the UK will be donating US$7.7 million to the World Food Programme projects in South Kordofan, Abyei and Blue Nile.

(ST)