Sudan is looking forward to Saudi Arabia’s continuous support for Khartoum’s efforts, to lift Sudan’s name of the blacklist of countries’ sponsoring terrorism, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Information Ahmad Bilal Othman.
Othman expected that after the lift of economic sanctions, international, Gulf and regional investors will rush to Sudan. He revealed that Sudan is planning a commission to counter corruption in the country.
The deputy PM stated that placing the Arab Coalition on UN’s blacklist is part of a malicious political agenda adopted by the international organization. He reiterated Sudan’s rejection to that move and stated that Khartoum and Sudan are in this together.
Othman told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Saudi-Sudanese relations are at its best, with continuous coordination between the leadership on all pressing regional and international issues.
He pointed out that both Khartoum and Riyadh are developing strong relations, adding that he received an invitation from the Saudi Minister of Culture and Information Awwad al-Awwad to discuss media issues that concern both countries. He added that "we will enhance communications between the two countries on an exchange expertise and information as well as television, radio, and training programs".
The minister stated that Sudan is currently facing challenges about the lift of US sanctions and attracting foreign investments in all vital sectors such as agriculture, industry, and mining.
He indicated that the support exerted by the Saudi leadership, represented by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, resulted in the lift of US sanctions which also revealed the depth of this relations given the strategic and pivotal role of Riyadh in the Middle East.
Sudan’s position on the other side of the Red Sea also grants this strategic relation with Riyadh another dimension, according to Othman, and he expected Saudi investments to increase in Sudan - which would benefit people of both countries. He pointed out that the lift-off US sanctions further enhances this relation.
Asked about the accusations against Arab coalition, Othman confirmed that the goal is to defame this successful campaign to restore legitimacy in Yemen. He reiterated that Western organizations deal with fair Arab causes with a form of duality, adding that Sudan is Saudi Arabia’s partner and should look into such deluding campaigns.
He stated that the cases against the coalition are named as a violation of children’s rights and they forget that the main cause of this campaign is to stand against the insurgents as the biggest violator of human rights.
The minister stated that Sudan had long suffered from these double standards of the international organizations; such as the malicious plans to call President Bashir to stand before the criminal court based on fabricated information and evidence.
He explained that the international organization is forming its report without any scientific basis and solely for political purposes, which is why Sudan is against this. He explained that the same had happened with Darfur when the number of affected children was fabricated and exaggerated.
Deputy Prime Minister indicated that US’ boycott of Sudan was comprehensive and includes sides other than the financial aspects, including the ban to use Bashir’s image especially in channels like CNN and Fox Channel.
Othman concluded that Sudan should be exempted from its debts, which was admitted by the International Bank and Fund, adding that debts were originally no more than $8 billion but increased to $44 billion because of interests.
