Sudan transition given $1.8bn lifeline at support conference

Event hosted by Germany discussed Sudan's dire economic situation and effects of Covid-19 pandemic

Sudanese revolutionaries paint murals along a wall in the Khartoum neighbourhood of Arkawit. AFP

Countries around the world donated more than $1.8 billion to support Sudan’s fledgling transition to democracy at conference hosted by Germany on Thursday.

The funding will help to ease Sudan's dire economic situation, which sparked the revolution against autocrat Omar Al Bashir last year.

The EU donated €312m (Dh1.28bn, $350.1m), America gave $356.2m, Germany €150m and France €100m.

The money will be spent on various projects in Sudan, officials told the online event.

The UAE Minister of State for International Co-operation, Reem Al Hashimy, pledged to provide $50m for economic growth initiatives in Sudan, in co-operation with the World Bank, to ensure job creation and encourage quality investments.

Ms Al Hashimy spoke of the $3bn provided by Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the days after the removal of Al Bashir.

The funding provided urgent cash to maintain Sudan's import of vital goods.

“I could speak for hours about the relations between UAE and Sudan,” Ms Al Hashimy said.

She also spoke of supplies delivered to Sudan to help in the fight against Covid-19.

Ms Al Hashimy said she hoped that peace deals being negotiated in Juba would be concluded soon to resolve long-running civil conflicts in Sudan.

The support through the World Bank, she said, was part of the UAE’s belief that investment was the way to create a prosperous future for the country.

Spain said it was providing €3m but was ready to cancel $74m in debt as soon as “conditions are met”.

The Arab League committed to help build up Sudan's public institutions and support for the peace process.

Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, running Sudan under a transitional power-sharing deal with the military, is desperate for foreign support.

Mr Hamdok thanked the international community for its support.

“We are extremely delighted with responses we’re hearing from partners and friends,” he said.

“It is the kind of support we had hoped for. There is a lot to be done, not only with solidarity but investment in the region.”

Mr Hamdok said that without the support, instability could spread through a volatile region in east and north-east Africa and disaffected young people would keep migrating by sea to Europe.

"We expect our partners to support us to have a successful transition," he said.

"I do not want to paint a rosy picture. Any transition is messy and there are so many challenges."

Inflation topped an annual 100 per cent last month and the Sudanese pound plunged to 141 to the dollar on the black market, compared to 55 at the official rate.

Sudan revolution in pictures 

Sudanese protesters run for cover from tear gas canisters fired by police outside the military headquarters in the capital Khartoum on April 6, 2019. AFP

Sudanese protesters rally in front of the military headquarters in the capital Khartoum on April 8, 2019. AFP

Alaa Salah, a Sudanese woman propelled to internet fame earlier this week after clips went viral of her leading powerful protest chants against President Omar Al Bashir, addresses protesters during a demonstration in front of the military headquarters in the capital Khartoum on April 10, 2019. AFP

Sudanese judges, dressed in their robes, gather for a "million-strong" march outside the army headquarters in the capital Khartoum on April 25, 2019. AFP

A Sudanese anti-regime protester kisses a soldier on the head during protests on April 11, 2019 in the area around the army headquarters in Sudan's capital Khartoum. AFP

Sudanese demonstrators march with national flags as they gather during a rally demanding a civilian body to lead the transition to democracy. AFP

Protesters massed outside the army complex in central Khartoum on April 6, initially to demand the overthrow of longtime leader Omar Al Bashir. AFP

Sudanese protesters gather outside the army headquarters in Khartoum on May 6, 2019. AFP

Sudanese protesters burn tyres as they block Nile Street for the second consecutive day during continuing protests in Sudan's capital Khartoum on May 13, 2019. AFP

Sudanese protesters wave flags and flash victory signs as they gather for a sit-in outside the military headquarters in Khartoum on May 19, 2019. AFP

A Sudanese health worker carries a placard as scores of medics hold a rally in front of a hospital in the capital Khartoum on May 23, 2019. AFP

Sudanese supporters of the ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) hold up a sign showing a portrait of its head General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan with a caption below reading in Arabic "we have delegated you Burhan, we want no president but you", during a rally in the centre of the capital Khartoum on May 31, 2019. AFP

Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Himediti, deputy head of Sudan's ruling Transitional Military Council and commander of the Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries, waves a baton to supporters on a vehicle as he arrives for a rally in the village of Abraq, about 60 kilometres northwest of Khartoum, on June 22, 2019. AFP

Sudanese protestors celebrate in the streets of Khartoum after ruling generals and protest leaders announced they have reached an agreement on the disputed issue of a new governing body on July 5, 2019. AFP

Thousands went to the streets to welcome the agreement on Saturday. AFP

Sudanese protesters take part in a vigil in the capital Khartoum to mourn dozens of demonstrators killed last month in a raid on a Khartoum sit-in. AFP

Sudanese protesters gather during Friday noon prayers outside the army headquarters in Khartoum on May 3, 2019, as they continue to protest demanding that the ruling military council hand power to a civilian administration. AFP

Sudanese civilians from other provinces ride on the train to join in the celebrations of the signing of Sudan's power-sharing deal. Reuters

Sudan's Forces of Freedom and Change coalition leader Ahmad Rabiah (3-R) and Sudan's General and Vice President of Sudanese Transitional Military Council, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (2-R) sign power-sharing agreement,. EPA

Sudan's Head of Transitional Military Council, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, and Sudan's opposition alliance coalition's leader Ahmad Rabiah, celebrate the signing of the power-sharing deal, that paves the way for a transitional government, and eventual elections. Reuters

epa07783624 Leader of Sudan's transitional council, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan (R) is sworn in as the Head of the newly formed transitional Council at the presidential palace in Khartoum, Sudan, 21 August 2019. The Sudanese opposition and military council signed on 17 August a power sharing agreement. The agreement sets up a sovereign council made of five generals and six civilians, to rule the country until general elections. Protests had erupted in Sudan at the end of 2018, culminating in a long sit-in outside the army headquarters which ended with more than one hundred people being killed and others injured. Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir stepped down on 11 April 2019. EPA/STRINGER

A pictured released by Sudan's Presidential Palace shows General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan's ruling military council, during a swearing in ceremony in Khartoum on August 21, 2019. Burhan was sworn today as chairman of Sudan's new sovereign council that will steer the country through a three-year transition to civilian rule. "General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Abdel Rahman was sworn in as president of the sovereign council," the official SUNA news agency reported. / AFP / SUDAN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE / - / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / SUDAN PRESIDENTAIL PALACE" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

A picture released by Sudan's Presidential Palace shows General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan's ruling military council, during a swearing in ceremony in Khartoum on August 21, 2019. Burhan was sworn today as chairman of Sudan's new sovereign council that will steer the country through a three-year transition to civilian rule. "General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Abdel Rahman was sworn in as president of the sovereign council," the official SUNA news agency reported. / AFP / SUDAN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE / - / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / SUDAN PRESIDENTAIL PALACE" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

A picture released by Sudan's Presidential Palace shows General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (C-R), the head of Sudan's ruling military council, standing during a swearing in of the new sovereign council, in Khartoum on August 21, 2019. Sudan took further steps in its transition towards civilian rule today with the swearing in of a new sovereign council, to be followed by the appointment of a prime minister. The body replaces the Transitional Military Council (TMC) that took charge after months of deadly street protests brought down longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir in April. Burhan, who already headed the TMC, was sworn in as the chairman of the new sovereign council in the morning. / AFP / SUDAN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE / - / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / SUDAN PRESIDENTAIL PALACE" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

epa07784051 Members of Sudan's newly formed transitional Council (R-L) General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Hassan Sheikh Idris, Genereal Ibrahim Jaber, Raja Nicola Issa Abdul-Masseh, General Shams al-Din Kabashi, Aisha Moussa, Mohamed Alfaki, General Yasser al-Atta and Sadeek Tawer look on during their sweaing-in ceremony at the presidential palace in Khartoum, Sudan, 21 August 2019. The Sudanese opposition and military council signed on 17 August a power sharing agreement. The agreement sets up a sovereign council made of five generals and six civilians, to rule the country until general elections. Protests had erupted in Sudan at the end of 2018, culminating in a long sit-in outside the army headquarters which ended with more than one hundred people being killed and others injured. Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir stepped down on 11 April 2019. EPA/MORWAN ALI

Demonstrators march with banners and the old (L) and current (R) flags of Sudan outside a courthouse complex in the capital's twin city of Omdurman on August 21, 2019 during the trial of 40 members of Sudan's now-dissolved National Intelligence and Security Service facing charges over the death in custody of Ahmed al-Kheir, a teacher from the eastern town of Khashma el-Girba, in the early days of the wave of nationwide protests that eventually brought longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir. / AFP / Ahmed Mustafa

epa07784904 Sudan's new Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok (L) swears in during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Khartoum, Sudan, 21 August 2019. The Sudanese opposition and military council signed on 17 August a power sharing agreement. The agreement sets up a sovereign council made of five generals and six civilians, to rule the country until general elections. Protests had erupted in Sudan in December 2018, culminating in a long sit-in outside the army headquarters which ended with more than one hundred people being killed and others injured. Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir stepped down on 11 April 2019. EPA/MARWAN ALI

epa07784903 Sudan's new Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok (L) shakes hands with Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan (R) after being sworn in during a ceremony at the presidential palace in Khartoum, Sudan, 21 August 2019. The Sudanese opposition and military council signed on 17 August a power sharing agreement. The agreement sets up a sovereign council made of five generals and six civilians, to rule the country until general elections. Protests had erupted in Sudan in December 2018, culminating in a long sit-in outside the army headquarters which ended with more than one hundred people being killed and others injured. Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir stepped down on 11 April 2019. EPA/MARWAN ALI

Sudan's new Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok speaks duringa press conference in Khartoum, Sudan, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019. (AP Photo)

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for massive aid, saying the region needed a stable and democratic Sudan.

A World Bank organised family cash scheme was central to many of the donations.

It aims to soften the blow from the removal of subsidies for fuel and other goods, which was demanded by western donors.

The subsidies cost Sudan an estimated $3bn a year.

The family cash scheme will soon aim to give $5 a person a month to nearly 80 per cent of Sudanese people.

The World Bank’s president, David Malpass, said it was important that the funds be channelled through the government to promote accountability, trust and capacity.

As nations pledged support, they also praised the progress made since the transitional agreement last summer.

Donors highlighted the challenges of providing more direct support to Sudan while it remains under US sanctions as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Discussions are continuing between Washington and Khartoum on resolving compensation claims about terrorist attacks that led to that designation, but there is no clear timetable on when the US will remove the listing.

USAid's acting administrator, John Barsa, said Washington would work with Sudan on the issue and highlighted the tenfold increase in support pledged on Thursday.

The US donation alone will go towards development and democratic transition programmes.

The conference also heard from some Sudanese people about the situation in the country.

Karar Ibrahim, a farmer, told delegates how the shortages of seeds, fuel and basic supplies affected their livelihoods.

“Our irrigation pumps and tools are old and inefficient," Mr Ibrahim said.

"If the minister of agriculture could provide seeds and fuel, then Sudan could indeed be the breadbasket of the world."

Artist Hamza Adam said despite the nation's advances towards democracy, change has yet to be felt.

“After 18 months, opportunities remain scarce or non-existent,” Adam said.

“The youth have not yet observed a clear transformation in their lives since the revolution and our dreams of finding a job have not yet come true.”

Many delegates also touched on support given during the coronavirus pandemic and the initiatives needed to address the economic impact of Covid-19.