The third meeting of the biannual UK-Sudan Strategic
Dialogue was hosted by the Government of Sudan in
Khartoum on 29th March 2017, co-chaired by Undersecretary
Abdulghani Al Naim, from the Foreign Ministry of the
Republic of Sudan, and , Director for Africa at
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United
Kingdom, accompanied by delegations from both countries.
The meetings covered bilateral issues, culture, the peace
process, human rights, development, trade and investment,
migration, defence engagement, counter-terrorism and
countering violent extremism, and regional issues.
Both sides welcomed the steps taken since the last
Strategic Dialogue meeting in London and agreed to
continue their joint work over the coming months. They
welcomed the visit to Sudan of the Permanent
Undersecretaries of the British Foreign and Commonwealth
Office and Department for International Development, and
a recent visit by a trade delegation from Sudan to the
UK, as well as recent agreements on increasing cultural
co-operation.
Both parties discussed recent political developments and
the peace process in Darfur and the Two Areas. The United
Kingdom welcomed the recent HAC directives to improve
humanitarian access to Darfur and the Two Areas, in
particular the decision to open a humanitarian corridor
into South Sudan. Both sides agreed to continue the
regular dialogue on human rights between the two
governments at all levels, including on the subject of
trafficking in people.
The UK provided briefing on recent political developments
in the UK, including its decision to leave the European
Union and the way forward after triggering Article 50 of
Lisbon Treaty.
Both sides also affirmed their strong commitment to
continuing to cooperate on education and the importance
of cultural exchanges. These continue to be an important
opportunity to build on our shared history and values,
and engage the next generation. Both sides exchanged
views on recent political developments in the region,
including Libya and South Sudan, and agreed to continue
an open dialogue on these issues. Both sides expressed
strong concern about the current situation in South
Sudan, and agreed on the importance of providing
humanitarian assistance to those in need in the South, as
well as supporting Sudan’s efforts in receiving South
Sudanese refugees.
The two parties also agreed to continue working together
on countering terrorism and violent extremism. They
welcomed the recent exchanges of visits to share
expertise and agreed to continue and broaden these
exchanges in future.
The UK and Sudan reaffirmed the importance of continued
progress towards our joint goals, and a continued
broadening of the bilateral relationship, and agreed to
hold another Strategic Dialogue in London in six months’
time.
