I leave Sudan soon, after nearly 3 years here. It has been a hugely engaging, demanding, frustrating and rewarding experience. I have learnt a great deal; about Sudan, about my profession of diplomacy, and about the range and challenges of circumstances in which people live out their lives.
Sudan has changed me.
I leave with many warm memories: of the sun setting and rising over the pyramids of Bejawia, of an epic journey through the Botana, of the friendship and hospitality of many Sudanese particularly at Friday morning Fatoors or Ramadan Iftars , of the National Theatre auditorium packed with well over 3000 Sudanese nosily participating in a powerful performance of Shakespeare’s Hamlet by the Globe theatre company, of the courage passion and energy of the many Sudanese we work with who are trying to move the country forward, of engagement with Government on issues that matter.
I am proud of what the UK has achieved in Sudan over the past 3 years. We have provided diplomatic and practical support to Sudanese initiatives to make progress on the key challenges facing the country. I think, for example, of our support for the negotiations that led to the Addis package of bilateral agreements between Sudan and South Sudan, for a peaceful settlement in Darfur, for a process of comprehensive and inclusive national dialogue.
We have not walked away from those most in need. We are the second largest humanitarian donor in Sudan. We help deliver health and nutrition programmes to 3 million people and provide food security and livelihood assistance to 1.5 million.
In a variety of creative ways we are contributing to the development of the long-term potential of Sudan. We helped to initiate and sponsor Mashrouy, which is fostering a culture of entrepreneurship in Sudan. It highlights and supports new business ideas that will be a success in themselves and will inspire others.
We have provided training to over a hundred journalists and editors to help build the professionalism and resilience of the Sudanese media, and to almost 4,500 teachers of English assisting over 200,000 children. We have tripled the number of prestigious Chevening scholarships offered to outstanding Sudanese graduates for postgraduate study in the UK.
We have strongly advocated with Government and others the need for proper respect for human rights. We are proud to have been involved in some high profile and successful cases. We have celebrated and are implementing locally the UK’s global campaign to tackle the challenging issues of sexual violence in conflicts, female genital mutilation and early and forced marriage.
All this is important. It makes a real difference to many people. I know this because they tell me. We save lives, support victims of repression, give professionals, business and young people starting out the possibility to develop their potential and to contribute to their country.
But it is not enough.
For me, as I am sure for many Sudanese in almost all walks of life, the experience of the last 3 years has also been one of frustration and disappointment. The new promise for Sudan of the CPA process has failed to materialise. The Government has not delivered on National Dialogue nor on the substantive issues the dialogue was supposed to address. Opposition have not been able to offer the Sudanese people the credible alternative they need. Military force, whether the Government’s or the armed movements’, has predictably failed to resolve any of the conflict issues. Civil Society attempts to protect and enhance human rights have barely scratched the surface. Business is struggling as the economic climate deteriorates.
Above all, ordinary people have suffered: unemployment has risen; an additional 450,000 people were displaced last year, bringing the total to over 3 million; 4.2 million Sudanese are malnourished or affected by food insecurity. There is simply no justification for the brutal disregard of the lives and livelihoods of the Sudanese people living in conflict areas.
As a result, many Sudanese, including some who have returned from abroad, have told me that they are leaving because they cannot find work, or because the work they find is poorly remunerated or because their ambitions to develop and to provide services for their fellow citizens are frustrated by political or bureaucratic obstacles. Yet, these are the very people Sudan needs to build its future.
We were clear in our view of the April elections: We don’t think they were credible. But they could mark a point for reflection if Sudan so chooses. The President spoke in his inaugural address of a “new era”. Government, opposition, civil society, business and the international community all have lessons to learn from the last few years. It wouldn’t take much to change Sudan’s trajectory. But it will take more than words. It is in the Government’s gift to take actions that create an environment in which national dialogue could succeed. It is for the opposition, civil society and armed movements to build a coherent, credible, programme and movement for peaceful change. Any of the warring parties could implement a unilateral ceasefire and allow unrestricted humanitarian access. The international community cannot make this happen for Sudan. But it could, and would, support a Sudanese-led move in this direction.
Although I am disappointed I do not despair. Sudan needs change. But it needs change that is managed, indigenous, sustained and beneficial. That doesn’t happen quickly. In my three years here I have been privileged to work with many brave and committed Sudanese from across the political and social spectrum who want a better future for their country. We have supported them where we can. I wish them strength and good fortune in their endeavours.
My very last engagement in Sudan will be to host an Iftar for all the embassy staff. The vast majority of them, of course, are Sudanese. They are a microcosm of the diversity of Sudan. They come from a range of regional, ethnic and religious backgrounds. They are energetic, committed, talented. They have been wonderful colleagues. They, and Sudan, deserve better.
