France supports Sudan’s transitional government; to host conference with Khartoum’s international creditors

France has voiced “unconditional support for the democratic transition” in Sudan and vowed a €60 million aid, including 15 million that will be made available very quickly.

President Emmanuel Macron of France made the announcement Monday after a meeting in Paris with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, whose government is tasked with leading the country’s transition to civilian rule.

“The December Revolution has not finished inspiring the world and the continent. That is why France will accompany you in this historic turning point,” the French president told his interlocutor, insisting on the need to revive the economy to ensure the success of the Sudanese revolution.

He also announced that France would host a conference with Sudan’s international creditors, private and public, to help Khartoum address debt issues as soon as the United States lifts the ban on the country.

“As soon as the Americans make their decision, we will be able to restructure the debt together,” Macron said, pledging that France would continue to advocate with the United States for Sudan to be removed from the list of states supporting terrorism.

Responding to President macron, PM Abdallah Hamdok said “my people have never supported terrorism… Support for terrorism is linked to the old regime. We are a peaceful people.”

The removal of this list “will be the key to solving all of our other problems: borrowing, peace, investment and Sudan’s openness to foreign investment,” added the Sudanese Prime Minister who issued an appeal to French companies to come and invest in Sudan.

While in Paris, Abdallah Hamdok has met with a senior Darfur rebel leader living in France, Abdulwahid Nur.

Nur, who is exiled in France, leads the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA/AW), which does not recognize Hamdok’s government.

The meeting, facilitated by the French, lasted for nearly three hours and involved “very profound exchanges,” Hamdok said.

“We discussed the roots of the Sudanese crisis and possibilities for a solution and… we are going to lay the first stones for this edifice of peace,” he said.

Hamdok’s visit to France was his first to Europe as Prime Minister, and comes after France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian visited Khartoum earlier this month.