64th anniversary of Sudan’s independence: El Burhan pledges reforms

The Chairman of the Transitional Sovereign Council, Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, has pledged to adopt a national programme that aims to promote Sudan, enhance living conditions, and focus on reforms to boosting development in all fields.

Addressing the Sudanese nation to mark the 64th anniversary of its gaining independence (on January 1, 1956), El Burhan stressed the need to create a suitable investment environment and to enhance financial discipline and good governance, the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reports.

It is also necessary to strengthen administrative development systems, justice, accountability and transparency, labour market policies, vocational training, minimum wages, economic competitiveness, removing trade barriers, and pursuing quality education in addition to providing appropriate health care and enhancing social security, El Burhan said

“These reforms include the fundamental rights and freedoms, political, social, economic, and cultural participation, equality before the law, equal opportunities, the safety of persons and property, the freedom of assembly, the freedom of expression, citizenship duties and rights, as well as a free and responsible media sector.”

‘The government looks forward to laying down the foundations for a comprehensive solution that satisfies all, a solution that puts an end to the suffering of the people of Sudan…’ – Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan

El Burhan stressed the importance of improving infrastructural and economic services through developing public transport services at an economic cost, enhancing and attracting financial resources, exploiting unconventional resources and improving the management of financial systems, providing energy at an economic cost, preserving the environment and enabling citizens to access information technology and to provide qualitative and competitive financial and banking services.

Armed forces

In his address, El Burhan asserted that the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) with its various divisions and the other regular forces “have remained faithful guardians and guarantors of security and safety for this dear homeland and in preserving to its soil and defending its territories”.

He pointed to the men of the SAF and the other regular forces “who have sacrificed their souls generously and irrigated the soil of the homeland with precious blood.

“As we celebrate this anniversary, we renew our pledge that the armed forces and the other regular forces will work to upgrade their capabilities and maintain the cohesion of their security system, eschew cracks and sedition, and will stand steadfast against all attempts of polarisation and penetration.”

He indicated that any attempt to undermine the target and will of the Armed Forces “will not succeed to disorient them from carrying out their duties,” stressing that “they will remain strong and coherent and committed to their pledge to the people for protecting the glorious December Revolution, in which your Armed Forces and the other regular forces have been a genuine partner and a guarantor for the unity of the national ranks, in order to overcome the challenge stages that Sudan has been, and is currently facing.”

Achieving peace

El Burhan stressed that one of the first tasks of the transitional government is achieving peace, which is the only means to spur economic revival and stir the action of the economic and development.

“The government looks forward to laying down the foundations for a comprehensive solution that satisfies all, a solution that puts an end to the suffering of the people of Sudan, a remedy for the root causes of problems and enhances the conditions of the displaced people and refugees, secures for them means for voluntary and safe return”, affirming that Sudan can accommodate all.

He said that aspired peace should be an all-inclusive peace that will build a country in which citizenship is the basis of rights and duties, unifies the national vision on identity, and achieves balanced development.

He said that “the realisation of comprehensive peace is not the responsibility of the government alone but rather, a collaborative responsibility with our brothers who hold arms; therefore they shall engage in the process of uniting the Sudan and restoring all rights for all people, and not for a specific category or region”.

‘Sudan, with its location, history and contributions deserves to be at the forefront in the African continent and a pioneer in the regional and international community…’ – Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan

El Burhan: “Sudan, with its location, history and contributions deserves to be at the forefront in the African continent and a pioneer in the regional and international community by building balanced external relations in a way that brings respect and mutual benefits.”

He concluded: “Sudan can return to its active role in the whole world, through its commitment to all international charters and covenants, human rights, respect for fundamental principles of friendship, cooperation and non-interference in domestic affairs of other nations, besides the active contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security”.

(Source: SUNA)

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