Bashir satisfied with Sudan’s regional ties
March 17, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir used his campaign rally in the coastal city of Port Sudan on the Red Sea to give an assessment of his country’s foreign relations.
He was likely referring to the border dispute with the northern neighbour over Halayeb Triangle which Sudan has it as part of the Red Sea state. Egypt however has full military control over the area since the 1990’s and rejects international arbitration.
On relations with Eritrea which also borders the Red Sea state, Bashir described it as excellent. He also hailed ties with Saudi Arabia which lies across the Red sea saying the Arab Gulf state has done Sudan many favours.
Last year, Sudanese authorities abruptly shut down the Iranian cultural center under the pretext of spreading Shiite doctrine but analysts saw it as a gesture of goodwill towards Arab Gulf states which has long been unhappy about close links between Tehran and Khartoum.
The president promised to complete electricity projects that will cover all the cities of east Sudan and to rehabilitate roads which extend all the way to the Eritrean border. He also vowed to make Port Sudan the top industrial hub in East Africa.
Bashir announced that the Red Sea coast will see the establishment of new ports and free zones not only to serve the Sudanese economy but all landlocked states.
He pointed out that Sudan signed agreements with Chad, Ethiopia and others to facilitate trade across Sudanese ports.
Bashir further promised to train low skilled labour in seaports to lead a movement for change and keep up with the evolution of handling mechanisms.
The Sudanese leader asserted that the 2006 Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement paved the way for the achievement of renaissance and development of the East and announced that its residents can kiss the misery goodbye.
(ST)