The Revolution in the Sudan, brought euphoria, but a year later, the country is still in crisis. This threatens the already fragile political situation. Now the country asks for help from the international community.

Berlin/Khartoum (Reuters) - A year after the coup in Sudan, the depth of the economy is threatening to help crisis, the transition to democracy - million dollar aid from the international community.

"We, the international community, have a responsibility to stand with the people of Sudan and their peaceful Revolution aside," said Federal foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) in the case of an Online donor's conference was in Germany a host. In order to support the reform process in Sudan, said the Federal government 150 million euros. The sum of the promised funds of the participants - including the United States, France, the United Arab Emirates and the EU - was, according to Maas, to about 1.8 billion dollars.

support for The Sudan "is not a question of generosity, it is a question of enlightened self-interest," said UN Secretary-General, António Guterres. The country with its 42 million inhabitants, is strategically important at the crossroads of Africa and the Middle East, but in a conflict-ridden environment. The Sudan", brings hope in the Region", - said the head of government Abdullah Hamduk. Support for change in the country will also have a positive impact in the neighborhood.

In April 2019 Sudan's authoritarian President Omar al was overthrown-Bashir after 30 years in Power by the military. Mass protests, triggered by an economic crisis, were preceded it. Now, a fragile transitional government consisting of military and civilians in Power. However, the economic situation remains disastrous. The productivity is low, government debt is high and the country is still on a list of countries, which the US accused of supporting terrorism. The latter makes investment from abroad and access to international financial sources, is extremely difficult.

"Sudan is struggling with a very, very heavy heritage to an extremely difficult time," said the Head of the International monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva. In addition to its "catastrophic" situation in the country had to cope with the Corona-pandemic and at the same time, the whole world is stuck in a recession. Sudan have a financial gap of 1.5 to 2 billion dollars this year and next year. The country need urgent money, - said the IMF Chief.

Should not be supported by the Sudan sufficient financially, this could follow, according to experts far beyond the country's borders have. The Frustration would rise in the population about the living conditions, could destabilize the new protests the fragile government, with "possible catastrophic consequences for Sudan and the Region," said the think-tank International Crisis Group (ICG).

the conditions in the area are Improving and the third-largest country in Africa, could provide to the Sudan for stability in the Region, as well as investment opportunities, also for German companies. "Many companies would hire to work there," said Christoph can caster, chief Executive of the Africa-Association. "Sudan needs support to projects in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, health, agriculture or education to perform."

© dpa-infocom, dpa:200625-99-567979/3

Link to the Sudan conference

report from a think-tank ICG to the conference

communication Africa-Association