Sudanese FM: Our Efforts Are Dedicated to Repelling Aggression,Protecting Sudan’s Independence

Khartoum – Editor-in-Chief

Sudanese Foreign Minister and International Cooperation, Ambassador Mohi El-Din Salem, has stated that the diplomatic efforts led by the Ministry, in coordination with other state institutions, are entirely dedicated to repelling the aggression the country has been facing for the past three years.

The minister has added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, through its missions abroad and at the Head-office, is committed to closing the gaps exploited by the aggression, explaining its malicious nature, and exposing its destructive actions. He said this will be achieved by holding countries and international and regional organizations accountable to their responsibilities under international law. He indicated that the government will conduct an assessment of its foreign relations at both the international and regional levels in light of those parties’ positions on the aggression against Sudan, and that post-war relations would not be the same as before.

In a limited meeting with journalists in Khartoum on Thursday , Salem added that some countries and entities spent enormous amounts of money to impose solutions on Sudan, while others sent envoys to exert pressure for the acceptance of these solutions. However, Sudanese diplomacy countered all these attempts and thwarted their objectives.

Regarding the suspension of Sudan’s membership in the African Union, Salem stated that the Sudanese people feel let down by the Union’s stance, which rushed to suspend Sudan’s membership before even sending a fact-finding mission. He said that Khartoum has intensified its efforts with friendly countries to restore its membership, and progress has been made in this direction.

The minister revealed that a mission from the African Union Peace and Security Council was scheduled to visit Khartoum last February, and that Sudan had secured a plane to transport the mission members from Addis Ababa to the capital via Port Sudan. However, the visit was postponed on the advice of the Union’s security unit, according to their assessments. But he stressed that the government’s invitation remains valid for the mission to visit the country whenever it wishes.

On the peace initiatives to end the war in Sudan, the Foreign Minister stated that Sudan is open to any serious and sincere efforts and is in contact and coordination with three of the Quartet states that proposed a peace plan, namely the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. The government has also presented its vision through a plan submitted to the UN Security Council.

Meanwhile Salem has emphasized that his government will not accept the UAE, which supports and transport arms to the Rapid Support Forces militia, as a mediator. He added that the government has informed mediators that any initiative that does not meet the demands of the Sudanese people will not move forward.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to its peace plan, which calls for the withdrawal of militia forces from the cities they occupy, their placement in camps, their disarmament, and the implementation of a demobilization and reintegration program. He also stressed the importance of delivering humanitarian aid to those affected. He stated that this dismantling is what must happen because it formed the basis for international experiences, such as the dismantling of the Irish Republican Army (Shin Bet) in the UK and the dismantling of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Türkiye.

The Foreign Minister asserted that Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue should take place after a cessation of hostilities and the implementation of military arrangements. He stated that certain foreign entities and powers are provoking Sudanese sentiments by trying to impose who participates in the dialogue and who could not, considering this an attempt to usurp the will of the Sudanese people.

Regarding the existence of contacts with neighboring countries through which military support is allegedly channeled to the militias, the Foreign Minister stated that Sudan maintains ambassadors in these countries and that he himself has met with the Foreign Ministers of Chad and Uganda during his participation in the recent UN General Assembly meetings.

He said he has also held informal consultations with the Ethiopian Foreign Minister during his visit to Addis Ababa to address the African Union Peace and Security Council. He revealed that contacts with neighboring countries have achieved considerable success despite the significant challenges, the enormous expenditure, and the foreign support provided to the Rapid Support Forces.

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