I just had a fruitful first meeting with Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok to hear directly from him the priorities of the new government.

In our meeting, we discussed the UNITAMS mandate and its four strategic and interrelated pillars outlined in Security Council resolution 2524 (2020):

- Political transition, democratic governance, human rights;

- Support peace processes and implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement;

- Assist peacebuilding, protection of civilians and rule of law in Darfur, Two Areas and elsewhere;

- Mobilization of economic and development assistance, and coordination of humanitarian assistance.

These pillars complement each other, and which will enable UNITAMS and the entire UN family to better support Sudan.

The Prime Minister and I also discussed UNITAMS support in mobilizing economic resources and development assistance which, as you know, is a priority for the Government and the Sudanese people, and will be a core component of our support, including the upcoming investment conference in Paris in May. 

Progress on the economic front goes hand-in-hand with movement in the political process. We will do everything we can to support the Government in meeting its own commitments and milestones in accordance with the Constitutional Declaration and Juba Peace Agreement. This includes the upcoming formation of the Transitional Legislative Council. UNITAMS will support the Government’s efforts to make it truly inclusive and representative of the Sudanese people, including 40 per cent participation of women.

The Prime Minister and I discussed the importance of ensuring that the peace process is felt on the ground with concrete improvements in the lives of Sudanese. We also exchanged views on phase two of the peace talks and how UNITAMS can lend its support and technical expertise.

UNITAMS is the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan -- which means we are here to support all components of Sudanese society across all of Sudan. I intend to travel throughout Sudan to have a better understanding of the country and to listen to voices of Sudan’s rich and diverse people, not only from Sudanese officials and political leaders, but also from civil society, youth, displaced persons and refugees, as well as voices from the business community. And let me emphasize that Sudanese women from across these diverse backgrounds will be consulted every step of the way.

I look forward to working in partnership with the Prime Minister, the Sovereignty Council, the Government, political parties, peace partners and all Sudanese stakeholders to advance Sudan’s political transition. This has to include those groups who are not signatories to the peace agreement. The overall aim is to support the country stay course on its journey to sustainable peace that responds to the concrete political and social-economic needs of its people.

I thank Ambassador El-Sheikh and the National Committee for Coordination with UNITAMS for facilitating this meeting and their continued support.