Khartoum- Khartoum Today
The international community must immediately boost its
support to Sudan to accelerate its transition to civilian rule, allowing it to sustain peace and accelerate
much-need development, said Achim Steiner, the Head of the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) as he concluded his three-day visit to Sudan — the first ever by a UNDP
Administrator.
“Having met with communities and leaders from across society, I believe that the international
community now has a once in a lifetime opportunity to foster lasting peace and democracy which will
set the country on a positive development trajectory — including a much stronger economy,” said Steiner.
“This means bolstering support to Sudan’s Transitional Government so that it can deliver on the needs
and aspirations of its people.”
Steiner’s visit coincides with a historic time when national institutions, including the recently
appointed government, manage a complex transition which aims to usher Sudan into civilian,
democratic rule by the end of 2022. It also comes in the wake of a crucial Donor Roundtable held in London
earlier this month at which donors pledged strong support to address Sudan’s immediate humanitarian needs —
aid which remains a critical focus for the United Nations (UN) and wider international community. The country
is also currently contending with spiraling economic challenges including an official unemployment rate
of 21 per cent, according to the IMF.
