Press statement on EU Ambassadors’ meeting with Prime Minister Hamdok, 7 December 2021

Today, 7 December 2021, EU Ambassadors met with Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok to discuss the current political situation in the country. Ambassadors recalled that the European Union has supported the Sudanese transition to democracy ever since the peaceful revolution in the country started in December 2018 – now exactly three years ago.

They noted that this support has been political and financial, with a view to support not only political transition but also economic recovery, on the way to realising the revolution’s slogan ‘’Freedom, Peace and Justice for all’’.

The Ambassadors noted that the military intervention of 25 October effectively derailed the coalition of civilians and the military which underpinned the transition agenda, as laid out in the Constitutional Document of August 2019 and the Juba Peace Agreement of October 2020.

They reiterated that the European Union condemned this intervention and demanded immediate return to the constitutional order. They welcomed the fourteen resolutions presented on 21 November as a first step in this direction.

Prime Minister Hamdok briefed the Ambassadors on the developments since 21 November, regarding an inclusive coalition building on a ‘political declaration’ to bring the country back on the transition track. Ambassadors noted that the crisis caused by the 25 October intervention requires confidence building measures. A resumption of the development towards a democratic dispensation requires a national consensus. These confidence building measures include creating an inclusive national constitution making process, implementing and extending the 2020 peace agreement, preparing for credible elections and continuing the economic reform agenda.

Transitional justice and effective respect for human rights are equally indispensable elements of a viable national transition. Ambassadors also reconfirmed the EU and member states’ resolve to support the suffering population with much needed humanitarian assistance. Ambassadors called upon the Prime Minister to ensure unfettered humanitarian access throughout the country to this end.

EU Ambassadors assured Prime Minister Hamdok of the continued engagement of the EU and its member states with Sudan’s unique transition to democracy and their support for the people of Sudan in their pursuit of Freedom Peace and Justice for all.