Sudan in the International Arena
Given its dual African-Arab heritage, and in view of its strategic geographical position as the point of confluence for the two identities, Sudan is compelled to play an active role in the regional and international communities beyond the immediate framework of safeguarding its interests, principles and commitment to conventions it has ratified.
Sudan’s Multilateral and Bilateral relations
Sudan is a member state of the United Nations (UN), the Arab League (AL), the African Union (AU), the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), the Sahel and Sahara Alliance, the Inter-Governmental Association for Development (IGAD), the Economic Commission for East and South Africa States (COMESA), the Greater Arab Free Trade Area and others. Sudan maintains diplomatic relations with most world states to advance its interests, reassert its geographic and cultural identity and contribute to regional as well as world peace and stability.
Sudan did not settle for typical relations oriented towards the West, but instead opened its doors to the entire world. It fostered close and solid ties based on common interests with China, Korea, Russia, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and other Asian nations and benefited much from these relations. These solid ties with a diverse array of nations are core strength of Sudanese foreign policy. Sudan believes in a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and the autonomy of all nations in global politics, as well as the right of nations and peoples to relations based on common interest and mutual benefit. It also supports an international order that promotes justice, equality, human inter-dependence, sustainable development and neighborly relations.
Sudan is a committed member of the UN and its founding charter and strives to fulfill its role within the world organization. Despite complications such as UN Security Council actions regarding the Darfur dispute, Sudan has done its utmost to advance the values laid forth in the organization’s founding charter to the best of its ability.
Sudan is ultimately of the view that the UN, in order to be a more effective and capable of truly representing all nations, must be re-structured and systematically reformed such that it reflects the global diversity. It also has to preclude domination by the few in order to meaningfully promote world peace, justice, inter-dependence and equality for the many.
Challenges Facing Sudanese Diplomacy
Sudan has certainly struggled with internal problems; including the South-North issue, Darfur and the East. Certain parties have tended to embellish the facts, thus compounding the problems and impeding the search for peace. Despite these misunderstandings on the part of certain misinformed parties, Sudanese diplomacy has patiently and meticulously pursued the country’s interests as well as the cause of a stable and secure region.
The Sudanese Foreign Ministry is a key ministry that enables Sudan to play its role on the international stage through its embassies and consulates abroad that promote national goals in addition to the well being of Sudanese citizens in the Diaspora.