Sudan is ‘keen’ to end problems with neighbours

The Sudanese foreign minister said on Monday that his country is keen to end its problems with neighbouring countries through direct dialogue, while preserving its own security interests. Speaking to reporters in Kuwait, Ibrahim Ghandour suggested that this could be achieved through joint security agreements.

“Sudan’s border extends for a distance of 2,000 kilometres,” he explained, “and one state cannot guard such borders unilaterally.” The Sudanese government has border issues with three neighbouring countries: South Sudan, Chad and Egypt.

Khartoum accuses South Sudan of supporting rebels in the country, while it faces charges of providing weapons to the conflict in Libya. This has been denied by the Sudanese government.

Ghandour described his talks with the Emir of Kuwait, Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, as “very satisfying.” The agenda for a meeting with his Kuwaiti counterpart included bilateral, regional and international issues.

“We did not have any requests from the Kuwaiti side,” he added, “but we reviewed existing projects with the Kuwaiti Fund for Development as well as ways and means to strengthen Kuwaiti investment in Sudan.”