UK pledges to maintain strong ties with Sudan
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By Ngor Arol Garang
March 28, 2011 (WAU) - A visiting top official from the government of
the UK has pledged to maintain strong relations with both the north
and South Sudanese governments and their people from Khartoum on
Sunday.
JPEG - 45.9 kb
Director for Africa at the British Foreign and Commonwealth, Tim
Hitchens (file photo)
This came following arrival of the Director for Africa at the British
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Tim Hitchens. Hutchins is the second
top UK official to visit Sudan a week after the British diplomatic
mission in South Sudan was upgraded to Consulate General. This saw the
appointment of Alstair McPhail the new position of Consul General in
Juba.
South Sudan is scheduled to officially declare its independence in
July 2011. In accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of
2005, which ended more than two decades of civil war between north and
south Sudan, southern Sudanese voted on secession in January 2011.
They voted overwhelmingly in favour of forming a new country.
In a press statement released on Monday the UK consulate explained
that the visiting official is expected to meet senior government
officials in Khartoum before travelling to the regional capital of
Juba for similar talks with officials in the South until 30 March
2011. He will also participate in a roundtable discussion with the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Khartoum to discuss regional issues.
"We have a shared interest in making that happen. We will continue to
work with the Sudanese people in Northern and Southern Sudan to help
them to build the future that they deserve so that they are able to
live in peace and prosperity. I am here to emphasize that commitment",
read part of the press statement.
On arrival in Khartoum on 27 March, Hitchens was quoted as saying:
"The UK commitment to Sudan is strong, and will remain so after 9
July. Through our Embassy in Khartoum, our newly upgraded Consulate
General in Juba and the offices of the Department for International
Development and the British Council in both cities, the UK is working
to support the transition to two countries at peace internally,
between themselves and within the region.”
South Sudan is scheduled to officially declare its independence in
July 2011. In accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement of
2005, which ended more than two decades of civil war between north and
south Sudan, southern Sudanese voted on secession in January 2011.
They voted overwhelmingly in favour of forming a new country.
The US’s Consulate in Juba opened in 2005, China’s in 2008 and north
Sudan’s Embassy in Juba opened this year.
The visiting British official was appointed as Director for Africa in
August 2010. This is his first visit to Sudan after his appointment.
The visit shows commitment of government of the United Kingdom to
promoting strong ties with both the north and South. According to the
release, UK commitments to Sudan include over £140m (US$224m) to UN
peacekeeping in Sudan and £140m of development aid this financial
year. The UK recently announced plans to provide a further £560m
(US$896m) over the next four years in bilateral aid across north and
South Sudan.
(ST)
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