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First round of Sudan-UK dialogue begins

October 20, 2021 at 11:58 am

Sudanese Foreign Minister Mariam al-Sadiq al-Mahdi holds a press conference at Foreign Ministry building in Khartoum, Sudan on September 18, 2021 [Mahmoud Hjaj/Anadolu Agency]

The first round of the strategic dialogue between Sudan and Britain was launched in the capital, Khartoum, yesterday co-chaired by Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi and Minister for Africa at the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Vicky Ford.

The dialogue aims to “consolidate and develop bilateral cooperation relations in various fields, and lay strong foundations for a solid partnership between the two countries,” local media reported official sources as saying.

Speaking at the opening session, Al-Mahdi said “the historical ties between the two countries constitute a positive asset that stimulates the launching of strategic dialogue aimed at pushing and helping consolidate and develop bilateral cooperation relations in various fields.”

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She praised Britain’s support for Sudan in overcoming the challenges of moving to a democratic system.

For her part, the British Minister said London is counting on the strategic dialogue to lay a strong foundation for a solid partnership with Sudan.

She expressed her country’s continued support for making the democratic transition process in Sudan a success in all fields. She called on AL-Mahdi to take part in the next round of talks in London in six months.

Strategic talks between the two countries had previously been held, however, they were stopped following protests which led to the ouster of Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir in 2019.