Sudan’s financial dues to the UN will be paid in local currency, says minister

March 13, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government will disburse its dues to the United Nations (UN) in local currency, an official here said today.

Sudan saw its voting rights at the UN General assembly suspended earlier this year for being behind on its payments to the world body.

The East African nation ended up paying $516,085 out of $1 million it owes to the UN which is more than the minimum required to have its vote reinstated.

The Sudanese Undersecretary of Finance Yusuf Abdullah Al-Hussein was quoted by state media (SUNA) as saying that his ministry is leading efforts in coordination with the UN to enable Sudan to pay its contributions on a more regular basis.

The official disclosed that UN Secretary General accepted Sudan’s request that it makes its payments in local currency for the time being.

Al-Hussein said that payments in local currency will continue until Sudan’s UN mission is able to open a bank account allowing it to accept deposits in US dollars.

Payment of the arrears presented not only an economic problem for the cash-strapped Sudanese government, but a logistical headache as well, with US sanctions preventing the country from obtaining or maintaining a bank account in New York.

The funds were later disbursed through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Sudan before being transferred to the agency’s US headquarters.

(ST)