News

On 25 June, the Political Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Raimonda Murmokaitė took part in the virtual high-level Sudan Partnership Conference that was organized by Germany, the European Union, and the United Nations. During the event, R. Murmokaitė announced Lithuania’s decision to allocate EUR 25, 000 in humanitarian aid to Sudan. The funds will be transferred to the United Nations World Food Programme.

The participants of the conference expressed their political support for Sudan’s transitional government, its political and economic reforms, and preparations to hold free and fair elections. They have also announced financial support for economic reforms and humanitarian assistance to reduce the impacts of COVID-19. The Government of Sudan informed about the progress of goals and targets of its political agenda.

Sudan is the most affected country by the coronavirus in East Africa. The country is currently in need of emergency relief. Some 9.3 million people need humanitarian assistance. Millions are food insecure. Hunger deepens as the country faces drought and floods. In addition, about 2 million people are internally displaced and unable to return home. The pandemic has hindered the advancement of Sudan’s political reform agenda, exacerbated an already critical situation for the country's economy, as well as increased social tensions. Sudan also hosts about a million refugees from the neighboring South Sudan.

The President Omar al-Bashir, who ruled Sudan for 30 years, was overthrown in April 2019. Since then, the country has been on a path of political and economic reforms.