At the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Sudan, the APRM Lead Panel Member in charge of Sudan’s APRM Process, Ambassador Ashraf Rashed, led a Pre-Country Review Mission to Sudan from 3rd to 7th January 2016, accompanied by the APRM Secretariat Coordinator in charge of Sudan, Mr. Ferdinand Katendeko. APR Panel Member Prof. Al-Amin Abu-Manga participated in some of the activities and meetings during the Mission.

The invitation was extended to the above-mentioned Officials with a view to ensuring that the Lead Panel Member was well informed about the National Dialogue currently taking place in the Country, as its outcome would represent the agreed “National Constants” to uphold the principles of Good Governance and guide the reforms needed to strengthen the rule of law, democracy, the respect of rights and freedoms, and restore peace and stability in the Country.

The outcome of the National Dialogue would also serve as the cornerstone of a new Constitution, envisaged in the near future. The success of the current Dialogue would certainly constitute a key element of the APRM Review Report on Sudan.

Political Parties and Armed Groups are among the participants in the National Dialogue, which is organised around six (6) Committees – the Freedoms and Basic Rights Committee, Governance and Dialogue Outcome Committee, Identity Committee, Foreign Relations Committee, Peace and Unity Committee and Economic Committee.

The Lead Panel Member and the Coordinator attended discussions in several Committees. They also met with various Government officials, including the First Vice-President, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Federal Governance, the Minister for Presidency Affairs, and the Speaker of the Council of States.