Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide on the Sudan Conference in Paris

'We support the reform programme of the civilian-led government. Therefore, we agree with the leaders’ meeting in Paris today that Sudan’s transition is irreversible, and that we – the international community – must continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan.

Today – the 17^th of May – is Constitution Day in Norway, marking the signing of our Constitution in 1814. In a normal year without restrictions due to the pandemic, a parade of schoolchildren waving flags is at the heart of our celebration. This is meaningful because it shows that our democracy is about being inclusive, and it is about the future.

Democracy is a process, and new challenges require new solutions. The inclusion of women is one of the keys to peaceful and prosperous development. We have learnt through history that inclusive policies promote trust and commitment to shared values. We have also learned that we cannot take democracy for granted.

While the Sudanese people must chart their own course, we hope you can find inspiration in the Norwegian experience. Success can and should be measured on the basis of two main criteria: One, how well you manage diversity based on the principle of equal rights; and two, how well you ensure that the people as a whole benefit from economic development. Inclusive policies bring these criteria together. Sudan now has a unique opportunity to create conditions for sustainable growth with international business partners.

We are committed to contributing to making Sudan’s transition a success. In line with this we have taken the decision to cancel all bilateral debt, we are contributing to debt clearance under the IMF, and we aim to maintain a high level of aid. This will make Sudan a major recipient of Norwegian development assistance.

I commend the President of France on convening Sudan’s international partners to show our common commitment. I wish you a successful conference and I assure you that Norway will remain a consistent partner', the Foreign Minister said.