Sudan Sanctions: Apart from saying that it condemned a violent crackdown on protesters in Sudan. What options are there for Europe to put pressure on the country’s new rulers?
Apart from saying that it condemned a violent crackdown on protesters in Sudan following October’s military coup the European Union has been noticeably silent on all events in that country. It did suggest there “might” be sanctions, but since then, why has nothing else been done?
Sudan’s been suspended from The African Union. The World Bank has ended financial help to Sudan. And the US has cut its $700 bn emergency assistance package. What options are there for Europe to put pressure on the country’s new rulers? It is hard to say. But the Protestants have expressed some ideas that may be effective.
Sudanese protesters are asking the world community not to resume development aid to their government for fear of legitimising the October 25 coup and spoiling their country’s transition to democracy. Some protesters have spoken of individual sanctions.
Sudan was unable to access $650 million in international funding in November when assistance was paused after a coup, the finance minister of the dissolved government said – a freeze that puts in doubt basic import payments and the fate of economic reforms.
The financing included $500 million in budget support from the World Bank and $150 million in special drawing rights from the International Monetary Fund. Foreign funding was seen as crucial in helping Sudan emerge from decades of isolation.
Dr. Gibril Ibrahim Mohammed aka Gabriel Ibrahim said the main impact of the freeze in international support would be on development projects covering areas including water supply, electricity, agriculture, health and transport.
Ibrahim said Sudan would seek investment rather than grants from wealthy Gulf Arab states that now face their own economic challenges.
