Abdalla Hamdok, Prime Minister of the Republic of the Sudan, addresses the general debate of the 74th Session of the General Assembly of the UN (New York, 24 – 30 September 2019).
Addressing a high-level meeting on Sudan, Secretary-General António Guterres today (27 Sep) said “the events of the past few months, which culminated in the establishment of a civilian-led government earlier this month, have been extraordinary.”
The Secretary-General said, “the most striking element of the transition is that the drive for change has been led from the beginning by Sudanese men, women, especially the young from all sections of society who have risked their lives to achieve their long-held aspirations for democracy and peace.”
The United Nations, he said “remains committed to supporting the new government and the people of Sudan as they embark on the delicate period ahead,” and added that “the transition is not the end of the journey but marks the start of Sudan’s long road to socio-economic recovery, and to the achievement of sustainable peace and inclusive development that will benefit all of Sudan’s diverse and vibrant society.”
The Prime Minister of Sudan, Abdalla Hamdok, told the meeting that “The change is Sudan is deeply rooted,” and while this is not the first time in recent history that Sudan has toppled a dictatorship, in previous events “it was by and large linked to the centre. This time around, it was really engulfing the whole country.”
At a later press encounter, Hamdok said he had met with United States officials and had “very useful discourse and discussions” on the issue of Sudan’s listing as a state sponsor of terrorism.
He said, “we hope as we move forward, we will be able to conclude, and very soon, an agreement that would allow Sudan to be delisted,” adding that this “is key to anything we do. It will be an important issue in addressing debt issues, in addressing investment, opening the country, and all that.”
After almost 30 years in power, on 11 April this year President Omar al-Bashir was ousted by the Sudanese Armed Forces following months of popular protests.
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