Top official reiterates European Union solidarity with Sudan

High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission (HRVP) Josep Borrell, spoke to Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok by telephone today, to reiterate European Union support for democratic transition in Sudan.

During the call, Borrell who visited Sudan a month ago, expressed his solidarity with Hamdok following the failed terrorist attack on his motorcade in Khartoum, on March 9, the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reports.

Borrell stressed the EU’s positive stance towards the ongoing democratic transition process in Sudan, and the EU’s full commitment to support the transitional civil government in Sudan.

The EU’s senior official also affirmed continuation of support to the transitional civil government in Sudan despite the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic, which have affected all countries of the world.

PM Hamdok welcomed Borrell’s remarks, and reaffirmed Sudan’s keenness to develop relations with the EU, stressing cooperation of the Sudanese people and government with the peoples and countries of the European Union and other countries of the world to combat the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

On his Twitter feed, HRVP Borrell confirmed the call: “Spoke with Sudan’s PM Hamdok one month after my visit. Expressed relief that he is well after attempted attack on his life. EU fully committed to support the political civilian transition which needs to continue despite coronavirus crisis.” #AUEU

Borrell headed an EU delegation to Sudan last month. During his visit, he pledge a further €100 million to support democratic change in Sudan.

The new grant comes on top of earlier pledges by the EU totalling €466 million.

As reported by Radio Dabanga in October 2019, a high-level EU delegation led by Deputy Secretary General of the EU External Action Service, Jean-Christophe Belliard, the EU Director General for International Cooperation and Development, Koen Doens, and the EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Alexander Rondos, met with Sudan’s Prime Minister Hamdok in Khartoum, discussed cooperation between Sudan and the EU in various fields, as well as ways to support the ongoing efforts of the transitional government for cessation of war and realising peace and stability in the country, and pledged a total of €466 million in support grants to assist with the transition in the country.

According to an EU statement on February 29, the new financial assistance of €100 million a will be delivered through the EU Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa (EUTF for Africa).