Sudanese diplomats discuss economic sanctions and external debt
January 19, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s sixth diplomatic conference Tuesday has discussed the economic sanctions imposed on Sudan by Washington and the impact of foreign debt on cooperation with South Sudan.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Ali al-Sadiq said the conferees discussed in closed sessions the investment issues, noting they underscored the importance to achieve the sustainable development despite the economic sanctions.
Washington imposed economic and trade sanctions on Sudan in 1997 in response to its alleged connection to terror networks and human rights abuses. In 2007 it strengthened the embargo, citing abuses in Darfur which it labelled as genocide.
According to al-Sadiq, the Sudanese diplomats also discussed in the second session relations with the African nations, African Union and the African sub-regional organizations and ways to promote those ties.
He further said the third session focused on international issues with special emphasis on human rights, environment and water which are being used as pretext for foreign intervention.
Al-Sadiq pointed to Sudan’s achievements in the environment issue, saying it has chaired the governing council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2013 besides heading the African negotiating team on the environment issues from 2013 to 2015.
He also pointed to Sudan’s effective participation in the Paris UN Climate Conference last year.
The spokesperson added the conferees stressed the need for optimal utilization of the water resources as well as paying special attention to water sources other than the River Nile in order to achieve food, water and energy security.
Sudan’s sixth diplomatic conference was inaugurated in Khartoum on Monday with the participation of 82 Sudanese ambassadors and charge d’Affaires.
(ST)