Q1 Ambassador, due to the war, the EU like many other donors have closed their EU representations in Khartoum. Is the EU still engaged in supporting the people of Sudan amidst the war?  

The EU is most definitely still engaged. We were evacuated in April 2023. Those of us who were evacuated are not in Sudan, but Sudan remains in our hearts and we are preoccupied ever since then with the welfare of the people of Sudan. 

We are appalled by the human rights violations we see during this conflict and we are working to end the culture of impunity, to make sure those responsible for the human rights violations are held accountable. We have been able to maintain almost all of our cooperation programmes. We have a portfolio of 467 million Euros on food security, nutrition, health and education. All just for Sudan and for the Sudanese people. And on top of that, our humanitarian agency known as ECHO spent a further 170 million euros last year on humanitarian assistance trying to provide immediate relief to people in need in Sudan. This does not take into account the great efforts of our member states who are also in their own way doing their bit to make sure that we don’t forget about the Sudanese people. That we maintain solidarity with them. And that we want to hasten the day when the war ends but we also want to make sure that we are not starting from zero when peace comes. That we have investments made in the people that they can recover quickly from the horrible tragedy that’s befallen them. 

Q2 Who are the implementing partners of those EU funded programmes? 

We are working now with UN agencies and international NGOs such as the World Food Programme, UNICEF, WHO,  Save The Children and others who have been working very closely with us to deliver on the ground. And I have to pay tribute to them for the risks they’re taking, for the efforts they’re putting in, and the work they’re doing for the Sudanese people with our support and cooperation. We also work on occasion with smaller NGOs. Our effort is trying to deliver very large programmes directly to the Sudanese people, wherever we can reach them. Our team at the Delegation has worked hard making sure that we are as flexible as possible. Both in terms of being able to respond to developments on the ground and in the way we deliver, so that if something isn’t working we can try an alternative and try to get that assistance to the people. 

Q3 What prompted the EU to launch a communication campaign at this particular time when the country is ravaged by the conflict? 

Well. I think we have to make sure that the people understand the type of work we’re doing. It’s not necessarily about us drawing attention to ourselves. It’s making people aware at all levels, both the beneficiaries and the people who are in control of Sudan at the moment, to understand that we are delivering. That this is something that is meant to be for the benefit of people who are in dire need in many cases. Our communication campaign is trying to convey that message and to insist that people are entitled to this assistance. That access to them for the assistance should be made clear because there are rules even in wars that need to be respected and people have entitlements that need to be honoured. 

Q4 What are the EU efforts in ending the war and the suffering of the Sudanese people? 

We really want this war to end. This is a war that has no rationale to be honest.  

We also want to make sure that humanitarian access is assured and we continue to advocate on that. We want a ceasefire, but even in the absence of ceasefires there is an obligation on belligerents to respect the rules of war. To respect the safety of humanitarians and to provide humanitarian access for people. This is not a gift. This is an entitlement under international law for the people of Sudan. We are working with partners to make sure the human rights violations are acknowledged in a way that makes sure that those who are responsible will be held accountable at some point, whether today, tomorrow or at some time in the distant future. We’ve been doing a lot of work working with the civilians across the board. We’ve been investing in trying to get people to come together. Trying to make sure as well that women and young people are part of those discussions. I have to say that wars do have rules but none of the rules of war are being respected in this particular war. This is why we have introduced sanctions packages. Putting pressure on people on each side who are trying to fund or support or provide weapons to either side. We try to put a stop to that. And we’ve also tried to target the people who have been responsible based on the evidence that we have of dreadful human rights violations. So we still continue to look at this question of sanctions. We wouldn’t have to do it if people complied with international law.   

Q5 How does the EU’s own history, particularly its experience with peacebuilding inform its current engagement with Sudan? 

We’ve been with the people of Sudan for very many years. Our partnership is with the people. We are not going anywhere.  

As you know, the EU is a union of 27 member states who speak different languages, and come from different backgrounds and cultures. We are probably the most successful peace project in the world. We were born out of a very devastating war ourselves. People who destroyed each other’s countries now sit around the table and do business together. I think we provide a model to others, which they might not have to copy but could take some lessons and ideas from. For us, we are built on a treaty and the treaty is built on values and when we talk about how we work in other countries around the world, including Sudan, we always talk about building partnerships in these countries. These partnerships are built on certain  principles and values which are focused on human dignity, respect for the person, equality between men and women, respect for international law and for the UN charter. So that’s the sort of spirit that we attempt anything we’re doing with. Whether it’s our work on development, humanitarian, governance or respect for human rights. 

Q6 What message would you like to convene to the people of Sudan? 

I think this is a very difficult moment for the people of Sudan. Particularly for the people who are still in Sudan. Everybody is attached to their own land, both emotionally and financially. It’s not for me to say what the solution will be. I think one thing we’ve learnt is that answers to the problems facing Sudan will come from the Sudanese people themselves. We are here trying to provide support and to give people every opportunity to engage in dialogue to provide solutions of their own making. That’s the sort of helping hand that we try to extend. We’re not here trying to impose our own solutions, that wouldn’t be appropriate. We want it to come from within. 

One of the frustrations for us is to see people in need and finding it complicated to reach them to provide some relief. Perhaps what I’d like of this campaign is for those who are suffering, who do hear from us, who do get to see this interview or any other messaging that we do, is that they understand we are doing everything possible to try and reach them wherever we can. The EU, its member states and the international community remain focused on trying to bring relief. The most important thing that could bring relief is if the war is ended, and there is no justification for this war, so we can not wait for ever for peace. This would really change not just the work we do for good, but would change the lives of so many Sudanese people.