Sudan’s Ambassador to Brussels: EU’s Sanctions Decision is Just on Paper With Ulterior Motives

Sudan’s Ambassador in Brussels and its seasoned representative to the European Union, Abdelbagi Hamdan Kabir, has categorically labelled the decision to impose sanctions on six individuals, including two from the armed forces and three – he referred to as unknowns with no connection to the negotiations – from the Rapid Support Forces, as a mere paper- only decision with no real value.

In an exclusive statement to Almoahgig, Kabir said: “It is clear that the main goal is to exert further pressure on the armed forces and their supporting factions from the movements and the government.”
He added, “It has become very clear that the EU’s policies support the Civil Society Alliance ‘Tagadum’ group and the Freedom and Change Coalition, which we consider the political wing of the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The evidence is that any action taken by the EU is truly supportive of Tagadum and the RSF.”

Kabir pointed out that the EU considers the current government to be a de facto government.
Kabir revealed a confrontation he had with the President of the European Council when he presented his credentials, saying: “I assured him that there is no coup in Sudan because the former prime minister was not elected to be overthrown.” He added that they were unaware of these things, and the absence of an ambassador during the past period left a void.

He noted that the EU failed to pass the agendas they intended to impose on Sudan, ignoring many of the transgressions of the rebel RSF. Kabir continued: “It is true that the EU issued a very strong statement during the events in Geneina and Borrell condemned the massacre in Wad Al-Nour, but politically, they are against the army and the government, as evidenced by their treatment of it as a de facto government.” He added: “I told them, ‘If it is a de facto government, why did you accept my credentials?’”

Sudan’s Ambassador to Brussels, Abdelbagi Kabir, highlighted that the EU is under the influence of specific circles. He pointed out that one of the negative messages of the recent decision was the inclusion of a well-known Islamist figure, former Foreign Minister Ali Karti, implying that this was an attempt to suggest that Islamists are part of the war.

Kabir considered the popular alignment currently happening around the army, which has taken the initiative along with Joint Forces and popular forces, as a reason behind the decision. He also mentioned the failure of the RSF rebels to capture El Fasher and their defeat, which pushed the Europeans to look for other ways to send messages to create confusion within the ranks of the army.

Kabir noted that those sanctioned within the army have no relationship with the EU and have never interacted with it. However, he warned that the issue requires caution, considering the attempt to implicate a figure like the former Foreign Minister, known for his symbolic significance, political stance, and status, saying the accusation carries connotations that are not lost on people—that Islamists are the ones fighting alongside the army.
He reminded that all Sudanese people now stand with the armed forces, as the outcome of the current events will determine Sudan’s destiny. He concluded by saying, “If necessary, we (the ambassadors) will fight.”