Sudan’s Prime Minister, Dr. Kamil Idris, on Friday met in Geneva with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih.
The meeting discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the Sudanese government and UNHCR amid the unprecedented humanitarian challenges facing the country.
The Prime Minister expressed the Sudanese government’s appreciation for the pivotal role played by UNHCR in responding to the situation of Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries and internally displaced persons, as well as its efforts to mobilize international support for the Regional Refugee Response Plan.
He reviewed the current humanitarian situation, noting a positive development marked by increasing rates of voluntary return to all safe states following the restoration of basic services, particularly in Khartoum, Al-Jazirah, Sennar, and White Nile states, despite the systematic destruction carried out by the rebel militia targeting infrastructure.
Dr. Idris also briefed the High Commissioner on the Government of Hope’s Peace Initiative, which Sudan has submitted to the UN Security Council as a comprehensive national framework to end the war and address the root causes of the crisis. He emphasized the government’s expectation that UNHCR would play a central role in supporting protection, voluntary return, and reintegration, as well as linking humanitarian action with early recovery and reconstruction.
For his part, the High Commissioner reaffirmed UNHCR’s commitment to continuing its support for Sudan, maintaining close coordination with the Sudanese government, and working with international partners to alleviate the suffering of refugees and displaced persons and to support efforts aimed at achieving sustainable solutions. He also confirmed that UNHCR’s office has made progress in arrangements to resume operations in Khartoum following improved stability and the return of services.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister renewed the Sudanese government’s commitment to facilitating safe and unhindered access for humanitarian assistance and expressed hope for continued dialogue and cooperation with UNHCR in the interest of Sudan and its people.
