Foreign Minister to Sudanhorizon: AU Office Reopens Soon in Port Sudan

Port Sudan – Sudanhorizon – Mariam Absher

Sudanese Foreign Minister Dr Ali Youssef described his recent meeting with the Chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, on the sidelines of his visit to Addis Ababa last week as positive.

In a special statement to the Sudanhorizon news website, he indicated that the meeting discussed Sudan’s relations with the African Union as one of the founding countries. He indicated that Faki confirmed that the suspension of Sudan’s membership following what happened in October 2021 is a suspension of Sudan’s participation in the Union’s activities and that the decision was taken by the African Peace and Security Council, which has the right to issue a decision to return it, linking this to positive developments in issues related to achieving peace and forming a civilian government.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs added: “We confirmed to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission that Sudan, despite its preoccupation with the current war, is committed to peaceful efforts based on the principles and foundations of the Jeddah Declaration and that it is very keen to return to the African Union.” The Minister confirmed that the efforts would continue until Sudan returned to its normal position in the African Union and announced that the African Union Office would resume its activities soon from the administrative capital, Port Sudan and that the Director of the Office, Ambassador “Mohamed Belaish”, will soon be in Port Sudan.

The Minister confirmed that the coming period would witness the activation and development of Sudan’s relations with neighbouring countries, revealing that the movement began with several meetings he held on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the Lakes Organization in Luanda, where he met with his Kenyan counterpart. It was agreed to strive relentlessly to remove everything that negatively affects good relations between Sudan and Kenya and restore relations to their normal state, noting that they agreed to exchange visits between ministers and presidents during the coming period.

In his meeting with the Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Dr Ali Youssef confirmed to Sudanhorizon that several files and issues between the two countries were discussed and addressed, and he revealed that an agreement was reached between the two parties regarding the release of 62 Ethiopian customs police officers who were detained in Sudan, where they were released and handed over to the Ethiopian authorities on the border. He added that the borders between the two countries were opened, in addition to addressing many pending issues, with full confirmation of the return of relations to normal.

Dr. Ali Youssef said, “The Ethiopian Foreign Minister was invited to visit Port Sudan, and the visit will take place at the earliest opportunity,” noting that Sudan is keen on positive and good relations with Ethiopia and that the coming period will witness moves to create good neighbourly relations with Chad and the Central African Republic.