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French foreign minister arrives in Sudan
KHARTOUM, Sept 16, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le
Drian arrived Monday in Khartoum for a one-day visit, the first such trip to
Sudan by France’s top diplomat in more than a decade.
Le Drian’s visit comes at a time when the northeast African country
transitions to a civilian rule after decades of authoritarianism.
During his short visit to Khartoum, Le Drian will hold talks with his
Sudanese counterpart Asma Mohamed Abdallah, officials said.
He will also meet Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and General Abdel Fattah
al-Burhan, the head of a civilian-military joint ruling council that is
overseeing Sudan’s transition to a civilian rule.
Le Drian will also hold talks with some members of the protest movement
who headed the months-long uprising that finally led to the ouster of long
time autocrat Omar al-Bashir.
The minister will show France’s support to the ongoing transition in Sudan
and to the “strong will of the Sudanese people for democratic change, more
freedom, peace and justice,” the French foreign ministry said in a statement.
Le Drian will also reiterate France’s support to tackle Sudan’s key
priorities such as rebuilding the country’s ailing economy and concluding
peace agreements with rebel groups in conflict zones of Darfur, South
Kordofan and Blue Nile.
Le Drian is the first French foreign minister to visit Khartoum in more
than a decade.
Last month, Sudan swore in a joint civilian-military sovereign council to
oversee Sudan’s 39-month transition period.
On September 8, Sudan’s first cabinet led by Hamdok was sworn in to run
the daily affairs of the country.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1917 hrs