انعقاد مؤتمر اصدقاء السودان بمشاركة 24 دولة بالخرطوم

النص الكامل لبيان أصدقاء السودان الذي اختُتِم اليوم بالخرطوم..
CHAIR’S STATEMENT
FRIENDS OF SUDAN MEETING, KHARTOUM 11TH DECEMBER 2019
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H.E. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway H. E.
Marianne Hagen made opening remarks at the fifth meeting of the Friends of Sudan meeting in
Khartoum on the 11th December. The Minister of Finance, H. E. Dr Ibrahim Elbadawi made a
presentation of the Government’s plan for economic recovery and development in the transition
period 2020-2022. The Chairman of the Peace Commissioner Prof. Suliman Mohamed El Debailo
made a presentation on the review of the peace process. Norway’s Special Envoy to the Sudan and
South Sudan, Dr Endre Stiansen, chaired the meeting.
Representatives from African Union, African Development Bank, Canada, Egypt, European Union
France, Germany, International Monetary Fund, Italy, Kuwait, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Saudi
Arabia, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Nations, United States and the
World Bank. The League of Arab States took part as observer
All participants engaged in broad discussions on how the international can community best support the
Sudan’s civilian led Government in its efforts to achieve peace and promote economic recovery
and development, issues relating to preparation of a new constitution and to the upcoming elections.
At the end of the meeting, the Chair issued the following statement:
The Friends of Sudan expressed clear and united support for the civilian-led government and the
leadership demonstrated by Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and ministers.
Paricipants recognised that the Transitional Government has already made significant achievements
in three months. Prime Minister Hamdok and his government has initiated comprehensive reforms
of the public sector. A broad review of existing legislation is also underway.
The government has already contributed to combating corruption.
The Prime Minister has strengthened Sudan’s relations to neighbouring countries and the international community
They complimented the Prime Minister on the recent
appointment of the Sudan as IGAD’s new chair, a strong sign of trust by the countries in the region.
Participants reviewed the overall objectives of the Constitutional Declaration of 17th August 2019, and
appreciated progress with regards to the implementation of the key provisions.
The recent removal of legislation that put restrictions on personal freedoms was an important milestone.
They noted that continued progress is a shared responsibility of the Sovereign Council, which is composed of both
civilian and military members, and the civilian-led government. Participants stressed that issues
relating to the up-coming elections need to be addressed in a timely manner and as agreed in the constitutional declaration.
The Prime Minister briefed participants on his recent visit to Washington D.C., the first by a Sudanese Head of
Government in more than 30 years. The visit led to a break-through in the bilateral relations, notably the agreement to
exchange ambassadors and issues relating to the Sudan’s designation on the List of States Sponsoring
Terrorism. Participants called on the Sudan and the US to continue the positive dialogue
and resolve all outstanding issues. Participants also noted that it is already possible to begin preparing the ground for debt relief.
The Friends of Sudan heard a presentation regarding status of the peace process and welcomed the start of
negotiations in Juba the day before (the 10th). They called on armed groups to participate in the negotiations
in good faith and without preconditions. They expressed concern that a protracted process of negotiations will fail
to take advantage of the new opportunities created by the change of government and may undermine the transition.
The Peace negotiations should not delay the formation of the Transitional Legislative Council and the appointment of civilian governors.
Participants stressed the need for meaningful participation
of women and youth in all stages of the peace process and in the broader transformation of the country.
The Transitional Government’s commitment to unrestricted access of humanitarian assistance to all
conflict affected areas, cross border or cross line, was strongly praised and supported.
Delegations called upon humanitarian organizations to scale up delivery of aid in all areas, including
in the newly accessible areas, and armed groups to allow unfettered distribution of humanitarian aid.
Many advised that development programs should give priority to needs in conflict areas and address
the root causes of the conflicts. The Friends of Sudan agreed with the
Transitional Government on the
importance of moving from humanitarian assistance to self-reliance and sustainable development.
The Friends of Sudan expressed strong support for the plans of the transitional Government to reform
and revive the economy, and welcomed the presentation by the Minister of Finance on this issue.
The Transitional Government of Sudan’s overall objective is to promote diversified and equitable
growth with job opportunities especially for young people through the effective utilization of
national resources. The decision to frame the budget around the Sustainable Development
Goals provides a unifying framework and bears witness to the transitional Government’s commitment to
combat poverty and ‘leave no-one behind’. The Transitional Government seeks to address macro-economic
imbalances and improve domestic revenue mobilization,
and has renewed its dialogue with
the IMF in preparation for debt relief. Sudan partners pledged to support the broad reform agenda.
Many participants expressed appreciation to the countries in the region that have already come forward
with generous contributions to meet immediate and urgent needs in the Sudan.
These contributions have helped the transitional government deliver services and maintain stability. During the
meeting, participants referred to
their increased support to the Sudan, including technical and financial support and sectoral preferences.
The Friends of Sudan made clear commitments as a group to strengthen coordination within the group
and transparent engagement with the Transitional Government of
Sudan, to share information on sectoral focuses of their cooperation over the short and medium term.
The group took note of the Chair’s suggestion that Sweden will host the next meeting of the Friends of Sudan,
during the latter part of February 2020, followed by a preparatory meeting in Paris in advance of the
April donor conference.
They renewed their commitment to take part in a formal pledging conference in April 2020, and agreed to revert to the issue of host country.
The group stressed that effective coordination and communication between Friends of Sudan and the
Transitional Government continued to be of utmost importance to successful political and economic reforms.
Participants also highlighted the importance of good communications strategies
in relation to ongoing programmes and
pending reforms, and to inform the public about the Transitional Government’s achievemen