Sudanese leaders in Paris for international conference to support transition

May 16, 2021(KHARTOUM) – Sudanese government delegation arrived in the French capital on Sunday to participate in the Paris Conference on supporting the democratic transition in Sudan which will begin on Monday.

The delegation includes Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok and the Head of the Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Both arrived on separate flights in Paris which is still under health measures in response to the COVID pandemic.

The conference which Monday, includes two parts, the first on Monday dedicated Sudan’s debt relief as the government aims to get cancellation of $50 billion at least.

On Tuesday, there will be a conference for international investment in Sudan organized with the French businessmen federation MEDEF.

In statements at Khartoum airport before arriving in Paris, Foreign Minister Mariam al-Mahdi said that the conference is crucial for a successful transition in Sudan, adding it is the largest international forum through to present the country to the world after the collapse of the former regime and its removal from the list of countries supporting terrorism.

Al-Mahdi emphasized that the conference is also seen as the inauguration of Sudan’s return to the international community after its long international isolation due to the policies of the ousted regime.

She added that the conference will deal with basic issues that concern Sudan, including debt relief after Sudan fulfilled all its obligations and implemented economic reforms in accordance with the requirements of the international financial institutions.

The transitional government will present dozens of projects in various sectors including agriculture, livestock, mining, communications and internet, energy and infrastructure.

The President of the Sovereign Council and the Prime Minister will address the conference, in which the French President and a number of heads of state and government, regional and international organizations will participate.

Several foreign leaders are expected to take part in the conference including Presidents of Egypt and Ethiopia.

Also, the two leaders and the foreign minister will hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the conference.

Sudan’s debts amount to more than $ 60 billion. With the support of the U.S. and the UK, the East African nation has recently paid off its debts to the World Bank and the African Development Bank.

The transitional government implemented harsh economic reforms that included lifting subsidies on fuel, bread and electricity, and floating the exchange rate of the national currency.

(ST)