|
|
| Sudanese Ambassador Bids Farewell, Hopes For Peaceful Elections |
2/18/2010 |
|
As Sudan prepares for the multiparty elections for a new government leadership and a new parliament in April, the out-going Sudanese ambassador in Moscow, Sirajuddin Hamid Yousuf, has called on Russia’s support in monitoring and assessing the elections, Our Bureau Correspondent Kester Kenn Klomegah reports from Moscow.
Speaking at his farewell diplomatic reception, Ambassador Yousuf said “When the polling colleges close after seven days from the 11th of April 2010, and the elections results are made public, that longed aspiration for democracy will finally be achieved. We count of the support of our friends in the Russian Federation and elsewhere to monitor, assess and testify to the fairness of this giant leap toward democratic transformation in the Sudan.”
He informed the gathering that the Sudanese National Electoral Commission has finalized its preparations for the complex multifaceted electoral process. All parties concerned in the Sudan are now ready and working to ensure that the elections process is free and fair.
“Even our incumbent president, H.E Omer Hassan Al Bashir has retired as Chief of the Army in a valiant display of sincerity for democratic transformation and peaceful handling of power. Five years ago, also, the blood spill in the dearest region of the Three States Darfur which, was sponsored by some powers who still want my country to dwindle in the vicious circle of war, was far from quelling,” he added.
“Today that war is practically no more and the region of Darfur is vehemently engaged in development and rehabilitation. We pray that the current Doha consultation will materialize and result in a negotiated political settlement to the problem,” Yousuf explained further.
In spite of the apparent babbles of unrest in some parts of the Sudan during the past few years, still Sudan has experienced a remarkable economical growth placing it among the fastest growing economies in the world according to reports of the UN and IMF, in the view of the ambassador.
Now, Sudan has truly become the gateway to Africa in terms of investment attraction from the Arab countries and elsewhere and in terms of hosting mega infrastructural projects such as the nascent Dakar Port Sudan Continental Railway Project, Yousuf said to illustrate and support his argument.
These developments were generated by the independent and free political will of the Sudanese people as inspired by the National Salvation Revolution (NSR) and sustained by the government of National Unity (NU) stipulated and created by the peace deal, generally known as the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005.
That convention is in fact a natural continuation of the political and social Independence of the Sudanese people, who have long been yearning for genuine peace since the dawn of the independence. The CPA was a legitimate gain for the people of Sudan and a proof that the will of the people of the Sudan to heal their wounds without external interferences is paramount and indisputable.
“The realization of the aforementioned economical developments in my country would have not come to light without the valuable support and cooperation of our friends and brothers to our political independence in different parts of the globe,” Yousuf said in gratitude to the Russian people and government for their invaluable support.
The diplomatic relationship between Sudan and the USSR commenced after the declaration of the independence in 1956 when Nikita Khrushchev became one of the first leaders of the world to recognize the independence of the Sudan. That relationship continued to flourish over the years till today, under leadership of President Dmitry Medvedev.
The level and depth of political relations was demonstrated by the appointment of a special envoy to the Sudan by President Medvedev, the consultations and the exchange of visits of high level officials between the two countries.
The progress of relationship in the sphere of economy and business remained dormant for so long despite the presence of both: opportunity and desire. Last year, both Russia and Sudan worked hard to push them a step forward. That resulted in the widening of the awareness of the Russian businesses and entrepreneurs about the business opportunities in the Sudan, and in the acceleration of various trips to and from the Sudan.
In January 2009, Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir appointed Sirajuddin Hamid Yousuf as his official diplomatic representative to the Russian Federation, and with concurrent accreditation to the republics of Belarus, Uzbekstan, Tadjikistan and Ukraine with residence in Moscow.
(TV)
|
|
|
|
| Comments | Post your comment |
|
|
|
