EU describes meeting with Sudan officials as “exchange of views” on elections
April 22, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The European Union (EU) delegation to Sudan has described the meeting held on Tuesday at Sudan’s foreign ministry as an “exchange of views” about Sudan’s general elections and the European stance towards it.
The EU delegation to Khartoum said in a statement on Wednesday that its ambassador Tomas Ulicny explained to Sudan’s foreign ministry officials the statement issued by the EU representative of Foreign Affairs and Security Affairs and Vice president of the Commission Federica Mogherini on Sudan’s elections was issued on behalf of the EU’s 28 member nations.
He said the statement reflected the common position of the EU countries on Sudan’s elections and the need to resume the national dialogue and respect human rights.
In a statement on 10 April, Mogherini said EU will not send a team of monitors to witness Sudan’s general elections and expressed doubts that it will produce credible results.
She also criticised the failure of the Sudanese government to hold the national dialogue process initiated by president Omer Hassan al-Bashir in January of last year.
Ulicny expressed EU’s unwavering commitment to the Sudanese people, saying he is confident that Mogherini’s statement will not affect ties with Sudan.
“With the European Union commitment to the people of Sudan unwavering, the EU Ambassador is confident that the EU statement will not significantly impact relations with Sudan,” he said
The envoy also expressed his personal commitment to continue to engage in a constructive dialogue with the Sudanese government.
In a statement released on Monday, the three members of the Sudan troika, including US, UK and Norway, expressed regret over what they described as failure by the Khartoum government “to create a free, fair and conducive elections environment”.
They said the “outcome of these elections cannot be considered a credible expression of the will of the Sudanese people”.
Sudan’s foreign ministry described the statement as “a blatant interference in the country’s affairs”, accusing them of deliberately ignoring rebels’ shelling of South Kordofan during the elections.
Sudan’s election has been boycotted by major opposition parties. They have said that there can be no credible elections held until peace is restored in the country, also demanded the release of “political prisoners,” as well as “freedom of expression.”
The final results of the elections will be officially announced on 27 April.
Incumbent president Omer Hassan al-Bashir is expected to win again after more than 25 years in power.
(ST)