A Sudanese protester holds a national flag as thousands of people march during nationwide demonstrations following the military takeover. EPA / STR
A Sudanese protester holds a national flag as thousands of people march during nationwide demonstrations following the military takeover. EPA / STR
A Sudanese protester holds a national flag as thousands of people march during nationwide demonstrations following the military takeover. EPA / STR
A Sudanese protester holds a national flag as thousands of people march during nationwide demonstrations following the military takeover. EPA / STR

UAE, Saudi Arabia, US and UK call for restoration of Sudan's transitional government


Joyce Karam
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE, the US, Saudi Arabia and Britain expressed serious concerns on Wednesday over the situation in Sudan following last month's coup, calling for an immediate restoration of the civilian-led transitional government.

The four nations, known as the Quad of Sudan, said they stand “with the people of Sudan and emphasise the importance of supporting their aspirations for a democratic and peaceful nation".

“We endorse the international community’s serious concern with the situation in Sudan,” a joint statement read. “We call for the full and immediate restoration of its civilian-led transitional government and institutions.”

On Saturday, hundreds of thousands people protested across Sudan in rejection of the military power grab.

“The protests of October 30 demonstrated the depth of the Sudanese people’s commitment to advancing their country’s transition and we remain committed to helping them achieve these aspirations,” the statement read.

The Quad also called for all those detained in the coup to be released.

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok remains under house arrest and others from his government have been detained.

Mr Hamdok has agreed to a conditional return as the head of a new government, a senior adviser to the ousted prime minister told The National on Wednesday.

His return is dependent on terms set by him, including the release of all political detainees and the reinstatement of the constitutional declaration, the adviser said.

The Quad called for dialogue between the various Sudanese factions and a commitment to the Juba Peace Agreement in restoring the civilian-led transitional government, which was meant to hold power until elections in 2023.

“This will help ensure Sudan reaches political stability and economic recovery so that it is able to continue the transitional period with the support of Sudan’s friends and international partners,” it said.

Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE hold political and economic leverage inside Sudan and have been involved in backchannel diplomacy to find a way forward after the coup.

Diplomatic efforts have so far focused on brokering a new arrangement between the military and the civilian leadership that could involve Mr Hamdok returning to power.

  • Protesters demonstrate against the Sudanese military's seizure of power and removal of the civilian government, in the capital Khartoum. Reuters
    Protesters demonstrate against the Sudanese military's seizure of power and removal of the civilian government, in the capital Khartoum. Reuters
  • Thousands of Sudanese people took to the streets in the capital of Khartoum, above, and other major cities across the country to demand the country's transition to democratic rule be put back on track. EPA
    Thousands of Sudanese people took to the streets in the capital of Khartoum, above, and other major cities across the country to demand the country's transition to democratic rule be put back on track. EPA
  • Protesters carry a barricade as they demonstrate against the Sudanese military, in the capital Khartoum. Reuters
    Protesters carry a barricade as they demonstrate against the Sudanese military, in the capital Khartoum. Reuters
  • A Sudanese protester flashes a victory sign near a burning tyre as thousands of people joined anti-coup protests in Khartoum. EPA
    A Sudanese protester flashes a victory sign near a burning tyre as thousands of people joined anti-coup protests in Khartoum. EPA
  • Thousands of Sudanese people participated in anti-military protests in the capital Khartoum. EPA
    Thousands of Sudanese people participated in anti-military protests in the capital Khartoum. EPA
  • A Sudanese protester dressed up as Spider-Man, stands on car during an anti-coup protest in the capital Khartoum. EPA
    A Sudanese protester dressed up as Spider-Man, stands on car during an anti-coup protest in the capital Khartoum. EPA
  • Demonstrators build a barricade on a street in the capital Khartoum during an anti-coup protest. EPA
    Demonstrators build a barricade on a street in the capital Khartoum during an anti-coup protest. EPA
  • Sudanese women during anti-coup protests as a part of nationwide demonstrations against the military takeover of the government on October 25, in the capital Khartoum. EPA
    Sudanese women during anti-coup protests as a part of nationwide demonstrations against the military takeover of the government on October 25, in the capital Khartoum. EPA
  • Protesters raised slogans demanding the exit of Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, in the capital Khartoum. AP Photo
    Protesters raised slogans demanding the exit of Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, in the capital Khartoum. AP Photo
  • Protesters declared 'the revolution will continue' during a demonstration in Khartoum. AP
    Protesters declared 'the revolution will continue' during a demonstration in Khartoum. AP
  • 'Going back is impossible' was among slogans raised by Sudanese protesters in the capital Khartoum. AP
    'Going back is impossible' was among slogans raised by Sudanese protesters in the capital Khartoum. AP

On Tuesday, US envoy to the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman said Washington would support a Sudanese-brokered solution to the country's crisis.

For any resolution to work, Mr Feltman said “releasing all the detainees, allowing Prime Minister [Abdalla Hamdok] to do his job, [and] not be under house arrest are a priority”.

Sudan's top general and takeover leader, Gen Abdul Fattah Al Burhan, dissolved the Cabinet and the ruling military-civilian Sovereign Council, which had been charged with directing Sudan's transition to full civilian rule after the April 2019 overthrow of dictator Omar Al Bashir.

He also declared a state of emergency, detained Sudan's civilian leadership and suspended the work of a commission appointed by the civilian-led government in charge of dismantling the legacy of Al Bashir's 29-year rule.

The US suspended $700 million of assistance to Sudan following the coup.

Also on Wednesday, the tracking site Netblocks said internet access in Sudan has been limited for 10 days.

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

World Cricket League Division 2

In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.

UAE fixtures

Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final

Honeymoonish
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Arabian Gulf League fixtures:

Friday:

  • Emirates v Hatta, 5.15pm
  • Al Wahda v Al Dhafra, 5.25pm
  • Al Ain v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, 8.15pm

Saturday:

  • Dibba v Ajman, 5.15pm
  • Sharjah v Al Wasl, 5.20pm
  • Al Jazira v Al Nasr, 8.15pm
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THREE
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

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Transmission: seven-speed

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Manchester City 2 (Laporte 45 2', Jesus 90 7')

'Top Gun: Maverick'

Rating: 4/5

 

Directed by: Joseph Kosinski

 

Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris

 
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Updated: November 03, 2021, 7:11 PM