NEWS RELEASE

Canadian Parliamentarians present
report on Bilateral Mission to Sudan

Ottawa, April 19, 2018 – Today, the Honourable Senator Raynell Andreychuk and Robert Oliphant, M.P., Co-Chairs of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association, presented a report on the Association’s fact-finding mission to Sudan. The mission to Sudan took place January 15-17, 2018.

This was the Association’s first mission to Sudan. The overarching objective of the mission was to gain an update on the current political, economic, human rights, and security situation in Sudan.

In Khartoum, the Co-Chairs met Sudanese parliamentarians, government officials, and the leader of an opposition coalition. It also met representatives from the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), as well as members of civil society and the diplomatic community. In addition to its meetings in Khartoum, the delegation travelled to El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. There, it engaged with state-level officials, including the Governor of North Darfur. It also visited the Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced persons, and had a briefing with the Joint Special Representative of the UN-AU Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).

“Our mission to Sudan was timely,” said Senator Andreychuk. “Over the past two years, the Government of Sudan has made some modest progress in addressing peace and security challenges, and improving access to conflict zones. At the same time, we heard that the security situation in Sudan remains precarious. We urge all stakeholders in Sudan to redouble their efforts to conclude a permanent ceasefire agreement to the conflicts in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile, and to address the underlying causes of the conflicts by fostering economic and political inclusion.”

During the mission, the Co-Chairs heard that Canadian and international engagement in Sudan is critical for geo-strategic and regional security reasons. Mr. Oliphant stated, “Sudan is situated in a challenging region. Porous borders and various transnational threats, including arms smuggling, human trafficking, and the threat of violent extremism, are just some of the security challenges that the region faces. Canada should look for opportunities to engage strategically in Sudan, and should support mechanisms that are aimed at addressing transnational threats and other security challenges in the region.”

The full text of the Association’s report is available on its website.

ABOUT: Established in 2003, the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association promotes exchanges between parliamentarians from Canada and African countries, and proposes initiatives aimed at fostering better mutual understanding of national and international problems. In addition, the Association works to develop ties with regional parliamentary groupings and the Pan-African Parliament.

-30-

For more information, please contact:
Grant McLaughlin, Association Secretary
Tel.: 613-944-7370
Email: cda-africa@parl.gc.ca