A press release from the African Development Bank (AfDB) issued in Abidjan, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire this Wednesday, April 25, 2024, informed that the charge d’affaires of the Embassy of Sudan in Côte d’Ivoire, El Gayly Mohamed Abdelhamid, paid a courtesy visit to the Administrator of the African Development Bank for Sudan, Rufus N. Darkortey, on April 4, 2024 at the Bank’s headquarters in Abidjan.
According to the official document, the meeting focused on the Bank’s collaborative efforts to address the ongoing crisis in Sudan and promote sustainable development in the country. The Bank’s commitment to providing continued support to Sudan during this difficult period was at the center of the discussions.
The Sudanese diplomat provided an overview of ongoing negotiations between the Sudanese government and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, one of the factions involved in the civil war that has rocked the country since April 2023. He stressed that it is imperative to achieve a ceasefire to restore peace and stability and expressed optimism for a peaceful outcome to the crisis.
Mr. Darkortey, who also represents Gambia, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone on the Bank’s Board of Directors, expressed solidarity with Sudan, recognizing the devastating impact of the conflict on peace and stability. He offered his condolences to those affected by the crisis and welcomed Sudan’s recent decision to allow access to humanitarian aid, particularly in the Darfur region. He further urged the Sudanese authorities to grant development partners wider access throughout the country to enable them to provide the necessary humanitarian assistance.
“He also highlighted national and regional efforts to address the displacement of Sudanese and promote economic growth. The Bank actively supports emergency operations, including the $74 million Sudan Emergency Wheat Production Project, to improve food security and self-sufficiency in wheat production in short and medium term, to enable the country to become a major exporter,” we read in the official document.
In addition, we learn from the press release, the Bank has allocated one million dollars from its Special Relief Fund to support critical humanitarian response and food security activities which are managed in collaboration with the World Food Program (WFP). These funds are intended to provide internally displaced people, refugees and members of vulnerable host communities with vital food assistance.
At the regional level, the Bank approved in December 2023 the Emergency and Support Project for the Stabilization and Recovery of Refugees and Host Communities in the Lake Chad Basin. This $36.4 million initiative, which benefits from $10 million in co-financing from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), takes a holistic approach to regional stability to address socio-economic challenges in affected regions .
The Bank is also working with other development partners to further strengthen regional support to the forced displacement crisis resulting from the war in Sudan.
Administrator Darkortey also stressed the importance of preserving the investments of the Bank and other development partners in the country in this context of crisis. He also highlighted the leadership of the President of the Bank, Mr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, and his commitment to supporting Sudan in a return to peace and prosperity.
The meeting between Ambassador Abdelhamid and Mr. Darkortey demonstrates a collaborative effort between the African Development Bank and Sudan to address challenges and pave the way for a more resilient future for the country, the press release concluded. .
Moctar FICUU / VivAfrik
