Friends of Sudan Affirms their Support to transition Efforts

The Group of the Friends of Sudan has affirmed its strong support for the joint efforts of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to facilitate the Sudan-led political process with the aim of restoring the civilians to lead the transition to democracy.

The group, which includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the European Union, has commended the continuous efforts of these actors in consulting with a wide range of the Sudanese stakeholders.

The group expressed its aspiration for imminent launch of the next phase of talks aimed at building consensus on the structure of credible civilian-led institutions that will lead Sudan through a civilian-led transitional period that culminates in free and fair democratic elections.

The group urged all the stakeholders to engage constructively in this next phase and underlined the importance of ensuring that women, as well as youth, and other historically marginalized groups enjoy full, effective and meaningful participation and inclusion at every stage of the process.

The group welcomed the progress achieved so far through the cooperation

of Sudanese stakeholders and the joint efforts of UNITAMS, the African Union and IGAD to make this political process a success, stressing stressed the importance of creating an environment that allows all stakeholders to participate and to express their opinions freely, emphasizing that trust must be re-established to achieve this end.

The group also asserted the importance of protection to the citizens from all kinds of violence, welcoming the commitments of the Sudanese authorities in this regard and encouraged their full respect for freedoms of association, expression and peaceful assembly as a vital issue, as well as the protection of properties.

The Group of the Friends of Sudan has expressed its deep concern about the enormous economic pressures that the Sudanese people are currently facing, declaring their commitment to continue providing direct humanitarian support during this difficult period.

The group expressed its aspiration for restoring an agreed upon and credible transitional government through the political process facilitated by the UNITAS, the African Union and the IGAD, to pave the way for restoration of the economic assistance and the international debt relief.

The group affirmed its

support for the Sudanese-led political process facilitated by UNITAMS, the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as the best way to achieve the aspirations of the Sudanese people for freedom, peace, justice and restoration of the democratic transition in Sudan.

The Group of the Friends of Sudan reiterated its continued commitment to provide full support to the Sudanese people and this process.