Arab League chief reiterates support for Sudan’s food security initiative

July 14, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – New Arab League Secretary General Thursday reaffirmed the support of the regional body to a Sudanese initiative for Arab food security to be discussed during the upcoming summit.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit was in Khartoum where he met with President Omer al-Bashir. The former Egyptian foreign minister discussed with the Sudanese leader his initiative for food security which will be among the agenda of the Arab summit in Nouakchott.

The Arab League leaders will meet in the Mauritanian capital on 26-27 July. Also the meeting will discuss the fight against terrorism in the region.

Following a meeting with Bashir, Aboul Gheit announced his unlimited support to the food security project, saying all the Sudanese initiatives for the next Arab summit will receive the necessary attention from the Arab League and his person.

He said that the Arab League prepared a report on Bashir’s initiative for Arab food security and a draft resolution on this respect will be submitted to the summit to find a mechanism to fund the project

Since three years, al-Bashir proposed to the Arab leaders to invest in his country infrastructures and enter into strategic partnerships with Khartoum to secure Arab food supplies.

Arab countries are among the world ‘s biggest importers of grain, import two-thirds of its sugar needs, most of the meat and milk needs, all of its tea, a significant portion of its oils, fruits and vegetables needs in light of the increasing population.

Concerning South Sudan request to join Arab League as observer, Aboul-Gheit said that AL Charter does not allow that, but he pointed that he is trying to convince Arab countries to give South Sudan the status of “special observer”.

He further stressed that he would report to Arab Ministerial Council in September on South Sudan.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Obeid Mohamed, on his part, pointed that Sudan welcomes Aboul-Gheit visit to Sudan and supports his appointment as AL secretary general.

“Sudan supports AL secretary general and will cooperate with him to enhance the Arab body,” said Obeid.

Obeid further added that Aboul-Gheit has briefed al- Bashir on AL efforts to address the challenges that face Arab countries.

Sudan joined the Arab League 19 January 1956, ten days after independence from Anglo-Egyptian rule.

The Arab League has 22 member states as of 2016. The Arab League was founded in Cairo in 1945 by the Kingdom of Egypt, Kingdom of Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Republic, Transjordan (Jordan from 1946) and North Yemen (later becoming Yemen).

(ST)