Swiss Delegation Holds Talks in Port Sudan, Pledges €50 Million in Aid to Sudan
A delegation from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) held talks on Sunday in Port Sudan, focusing on the situation in the country and strengthening the partnership with the Sudanese government. The delegation announced a €50 million grant from the Swiss government to Sudan.
The delegation, headed by Deputy Director-General Dominique Stillhart, met with Prime Minister Kamil Idris, Deputy Head of the Sovereignty Council Malik Agar, and Foreign Minister Mohi El-Din Salem.
During the meeting with the Prime Minister, according to the Sudan News Agency (SUNA), the SDC delegation reviewed the humanitarian efforts being provided through international organizations. They emphasized that the visit aimed to closely monitor the humanitarian situation, assess the conditions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) directly affected by the war, and discuss human rights issues.
Stellhart expressed the agency’s appreciation for the existing cooperation with Sudan and affirmed its readiness to continue its humanitarian support with the highest levels of coordination. The Prime Minister welcomed the Swiss delegation, expressing the Sudanese government’s gratitude for the agency’s valuable support to those affected by the war waged by the militia.
Idris provided an overview of the humanitarian situation, emphasizing the government’s readiness to work in full coordination with international organizations to ensure the efficient and transparent delivery of humanitarian aid to all those affected.
The Swiss delegation discussed the humanitarian situation with Malik Agar focusing on the violations committed by the Rapid Support Forces militia in El Fasher and other areas of Sudan. They also discussed establishing a mechanism to determine how to provide humanitarian support, express solidarity with the Sudanese people, and facilitate their return to normalcy.
Agar expressed Sudan’s appreciation for the Swiss government’s position and explained the nature of the war in the country and the slogans used to justify it, indicating that the war was waged with the aim of occupation and settlement.
The Sovereignty Council official asserted that the mistake most donors make is mixing humanitarian aid with political agendas, which weakens the primary objective of providing assistance. He also noted the use of humanitarian aid as a tool to blackmail governments.
Agar emphasized that the war will not end until Emirati support for the Rapid Support Forces militia ceases.
For its part, the delegation announced that the Swiss government had allocated fifty million euros to support the Sudanese government and emphasized the importance of direct communication with the Sudanese government.
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mohi El-Din Salem, received Dominique Stillhart, Deputy Director-General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and his accompanying delegation.
The head of the Swiss delegation briefed the delegation on the objectives of the visit and the agency’s programs in support of humanitarian efforts, stressing Switzerland’s interest in monitoring humanitarian developments, assessing urgent needs, and working to strengthen cooperation with Sudan in this field.
The Foreign Minister, in turn, reviewed the Sudanese government’s efforts to facilitate humanitarian work and presented Sudan’s comprehensive vision for peace, including the roadmap proposed by the government, which aims to enhance stability and alleviate the suffering of citizens.
The Minister commended the constructive cooperation between Sudan and Switzerland, emphasizing the importance of continued joint coordination to serve the interests of the Sudanese people and support regional and international efforts aimed at achieving sustainable peace in Sudan.