Sudan, UK to discuss ways to promote bilateral ties

March 19, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – A political consultation committee between Sudan and the United Kingdom (UK) would meet Sunday in Khartoum to discuss ways for promoting bilateral relations between the two countries.

On Wednesday UK ambassador to Khartoum Michael Aron said that the minister of Africa at the British Foreign and Commonwealth office would visit Sudan on Sunday to initiate a new strategic dialogue with Khartoum.

Sudan’s foreign ministry spokesperson Ali al-Sadiq told the official news agency SUNA Saturday that the committee would discuss ways to reinforce relations between London and Khartoum.

He added that the Sudanese side would be headed by the director of bilateral relations department at the foreign ministry Daffa Allah al-Hag Youssef while the UK side would be headed by the minister for Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office James Duddridge.

Al-Sadiq pointed that the talks comes after numerous initiatives and mutual visits by officials from both countries, saying that the UK has expressed desire to promote ties between the two nations during the upcoming period.

He added that the committee would also discuss regional and international issues of common concern besides a number of other issues including refugees, illegal migration, human trafficking and terrorism.

In an interview with Sudan Tribune in March 2015, UK former ambassador to Khartoum Peter Tibber acknowledged differences between his country and Sudan but revealed that the two nations started a dialogue upon request from Khartoum to push forward bilateral ties.

Also during the same month, the UK issued a report criticizing the human rights situation in Sudan.

(ST)