SUDAN – The republic of the Sudan has secured over US$1.8 billion in pledges from the international community to be used to boost the nation’s economic recovery efforts.
The pledged funding contributions will support Sudan’s Transitional Government in meeting its priorities and launching of a formal process of political support for democratic reforms, peace, and the economic reform agenda.
Much of the support will be earmarked for the Family Support Programme, which will provide humanitarian and social support and relief for close to 80% of the country’s population, 40% of whom are unemployed.
The pledges were made during a high-level Sudan Partnership Conference held in June this year, marking an important step in Sudan’s re-engagement with the international community.
“This Conference signals the strong and full return of Sudan to the international community,” said Abdalla Hamdok, Prime Minister of the Republic of the Sudan.
The Sudanese premier explained that the meeting was convened for an open exchange of views to support “a comprehensive home-grown policy reform agenda.”
In turn, governments and delegations present expressed their support for the Transitional Government headed by Prime Minister Hamdok.
They also pledged unprecedented support to help Sudan achieve its goals for a free and prosperous nation, and to mitigate the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Conference acknowledged the urgent need to support Sudan in addressing its acute economic crisis, which has been exacerbated by the additional challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many participants also called for debt relief for the country.
The conference was co-hosted by the Republic of the Sudan, the Federal Republic of Germany, the European Union and the United Nations, and held virtually in Berlin.
African Development Bank President, Akinwumi Adesina, and the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund chiefs attended the Conference.
Other participants included delegations from 50 countries and international organisations.
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said participants agreed on the need to hold a follow-up Partnership Conference in early 2021, in close cooperation with the Government of Sudan and the group of the “Friends of Sudan.”
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