Khartoum, (SUNA) – The government spokesman and Minister of Culture and Information, Hamza Ballol, Saturday gave a briefing to the media and press at SUNA news forum on outcome of the meetings of the Council of Ministers.
Hereunder is a summary of the statement given by the minister on the cabinet meetings which were held at the Higher Security Academy in Soba area in Khartoum.
The statement stated that the intensive meetings were characterized by a positive spirit of the teamwork and genuine efforts to tighten the transitional government’s vision for achieving the tasks of the glorious December revolution, in accordance with the five priorities that were previously announced by the Prime Minister after their discussion with all the transitional partners and subjecting them to consultations among segments of the Sudanese society.
The statement explained that the meeting has finalized the defining the projects and programs in accordance with the set five priorities as follow:-
First: The Economic and Social Sector:-
– The state control over gold exports, with the Central Bank of Sudan to taking over the purchase of gold at global stock market prices and exporting it, with the acceleration of the establishment of a Sudanese gold exchange. 2- Providing basic services represented in: drinking water and free public education. – Localizing the medicines industry to cover 60% of the need in the first year and supporting the free treatment program to include medicines for all chronic diseases, primary health care, accidents, injuries and emergencies, in addition to the programs of the national health centers.
3-Empowering women in the public affairs by using the national plan for the decision 1325, and formulation of a comprehensive strategy for the inclusion of women in all aspects of life. 4- The inclusion of persons with disabilities in the economic, social and political fields. 5- Completing electricity and oil projects with an increase of 50%. 6- Horizontal and vertical expansion in rain and irrigated agriculture: -Adding 15 million feddans to the rain-fed sector and increasing its productivity by 15%. – Adding 200,000 feddans to the irrigated sector in the Toker, Al-Gash, schemes, increasing productivity by 30%. 7- Rehabilitation and development of Port-Sudan port and increasing the sea transport and the railway capacity. 8- Rehabilitation and maintenance of quarantines, veterinary laboratories and slaughterhouses, and providing drinking water for the herd to ensure an increase in livestock exports.
Second: the axis of peace:-
1- Providing the necessary resources to implement the Juba Agreement for Sudan Peace in accordance with its agreed timelines. 2- Projects to provide security, water services, health, electricity, education and communications in war-affected areas. 3- Voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons to their places of origin. 4- The resumption of negotiations with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (North) led by Abdel Aziz Al-Hilu, and communication with the Sudan Liberation Movement (led by Abdul -Wahid Mohamed Nur) to complete the peace process. 5- Launching a national campaign to preach with peace, spreading the culture of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, combating racism and realizing reconciliations through sports, advocacy, cultural and awareness programs. 6- Start to complete and establish infrastructure such as railways, roads, and bridges.
Third: the axis of security:-
1- Agreeing on a comprehensive national security strategy in accordance with a pure national doctrine to defend the homeland and the constitutional system, aiming at establishment of: – a professional and unified national army – Reform of the general Intelligence and Police Services – Establishment of the internal security body – Securing the borders – the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration 2- Improving the Civil Registry and enhancing the immigration systems 3- Maintaining security through the joint forces – Combating smuggling – Protecting the civilians – Securing the voluntary return paths for the displaced people and refugees – Collecting weapons and controlling legalized vehicles in coordination with the competent authorities.
Fourth: the axis of foreign relations:-
1- Reactivating Sudan role in the international forums and restoring its role in the African environment, while giving priority and specialty to the relations with the State of South Sudan and the neighboring countries in a way that serves peace, security and development. 2- Openness to the regional and international organizations and enhancing Sudan role in them, Reactivating the presence of Sudan in the organizations in which it already has membership. Activating Sudan relationship with the organizations hosted in its territories. Joining the organizations and funds that support economic growth and good governance. 3- Solving the crisis with the state of Ethiopia while affirming Sudan’s sovereignty over its lands and ensuring its water security. 4- Improving Sudan relations with the countries of the world in a way that serves its supreme interests in various fields, especially the in development, reconstruction, investment, trade exchange, scientific and technical research, and higher education, with attention to youth and women. 5- The success of Sudan’s role in chairing the IGAD organization. 6- Designing a project to present Sudan after the glorious December revolution to the outside world by young men and women.
Fifth: The axis of democratic transition:-
Establishing and completing all the transitional authority structures and commissions. 2- Launching a comprehensive transitional justice process. 3- Preparing for the elections as one of the most important benefits of the transition. The establishment of the Constitutional National Conference. – Conducting the population census. Preparing the election law and establishing its commission. 4- Adopting an anti-corruption program and affirming adherence to the principle of transparency – Establishing the Anti-Corruption Commission after the law has been approved as a priority. Implementing a single window system to achieve the principle of transparency and preserve public funds. Establishing a national code of ethics and professional conduct. 5- A program for reforming decentralized government institutions and civil service Launching the project to restructure and reform civil service institutions by addressing job imbalances. Achieving digital transformation of state institutions (five ministries as a first stage). Restructuring the recovered institutions through the Empowerment and Anti-Corruption Committee. Training of manpower in state institutions. Formation of professional councils and unions. Forming advisory councils and reactivating the role of the National Council for Strategic Planning. 6- Empowerment and anti-corruption removal program After the agreement on the above projects and programs has been completed, the Council of Ministers referred them to the ministries’ technical committees to set timelines, prepare detailed budgets and systems for evaluation and follow-up in preparation for putting the plan into action in an urgent manner.
In conclusion, the Transitional Council of Ministers affirmed that these programs and projects that come as a victory for the tasks of the glorious December Revolution require achieving the highest levels of unity and popular solidarity and support to the programs of the transitional government that is working tirelessly to convert the hopes of our great people into facts on the ground.