Sudan

Political relations

The Sudanese revolution revitalized our bilateral relationship with Khartoum. The Minister’s visit to Khartoum and Prime Minister Hamdok’s visit to Paris in September 2019 were very well received in Sudan, where President Macron’s personal commitment to the revolution and the transition was much appreciated.

French assistance to the transition reached its highest point at the International Conference for Sudan held in Paris on 17 May 2021, in support of the political transition and in accordance with the commitment made by the French President during Prime Minister Hamdok’s visit in 2019. France is concerned about the political, security and humanitarian situation in Sudan, and seeks to ensure the country’s internal stability and defend a democratic governance model.

Since 25 October 2021, France has reiterated that its support to Sudan is based on the prospect of a transition to a democratically elected civilian governance. While certain aspects of our bilateral cooperation have been suspended (in particular the cancelling of Sudanese debt), assistance to the population has become more extensive.oisins.

Economic relations

In 2021, trade between France and Sudan stood at €92 million, a 20% decrease year-on-year: the lowest level in the past ten years. This deterioration in bilateral trade can be explained by the difficult situation of the country, which resulted in the closure of Port Sudan ports for more than a month and a half (from mid-September to end of October) and the coup d’état of 25 October.

Sudan is a minor trade partner for France, and our trade has fallen slightly. Sudan ranks just 130th among France’s customers (€49.6 million) and ranks 125th as a supplier (€42.3 million).

France has a structural trade surplus with Sudan: in 2021, exports amounted to €49.6 million and imports €42.3 million, a year-on-year decline. French exports mainly include chemicals and cosmetics (23%), agricultural equipment (17%), IT and electronic equipment (15%) and pharmaceuticals (13%), which alone represent 68% of our sales. Our imports remain 98% agricultural, mainly gum arabic.

Several French companies are already working in Sudan (Bolloré, Nutriset, Sagemine), while others have shown interest in investing in or returning to Sudan due to its economic potential since US economic sanctions were lifted.

European banks are still reluctant however, since Sudan was on the U.S. State Sponsors of Terrorism list very recently. They therefore implement a policy of over-compliance that is a barrier to any funds being transferred to and from Sudan.