Paris Summit Signals beginning Support for Sudan

Beyond relief from debt and accessing additional funds, Sudan’s image stands to profit the foremost from the summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Sudanese environmental and political activists who spoke at the summit moved African leaders, diplomats and lenders who convened on Monday to assist the North African state after years of conflict-riven authoritarian rule

Positivity was also drawn from Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s initiative to maneuver the country forward.

The four-hour summit was followed by a joint news conference by Macron, Hamdok and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who chairs the Sovereignty Council of Sudan.

Each of Macron, Hamdok and al-Burhan stressed the necessity for fulfillment in Sudan’s democratic transition.

Macron reaffirmed Paris’ support for gradually spreading comprehensive peace and democracy and promoting cooperation between military and civilian authorities across several Arab and African states.

The French leader’s diplomatic drive was praised by representatives and reporters attending the summit, which was held after some relief from the heavy impact of the coronavirus pandemic and therefore the US taking Sudan off the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Apart from granting a bridge loan of $ 1.5 to pay Khartoum’s arrears to the International fund (IMF), Macron also wrote off $5 billion dollars of his country’s debt owed by Sudan.

Moreover, Saudi Arabia , Britain, the US, Germany, Ireland, Austria, Sweden, Italy and therefore the European Union joined forces to liquidate Sudan’s overdue debts and enable it to get $2 billion in short-term grants.

However, it’s noteworthy that the French deductible covers most of Sudan’s debt to Paris.

The Paris summit may be a prelude to a different summit slated for next June, when meetings are set to be held for ensuring that Khartoum fulfills key financial and economic reforms needed to receive support.

Stabilizing the national currency rate of exchange and settling outstanding debt to the IMF, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development , and therefore the African Development Bank are among the improvements required from Sudan.