From 30 September to 04 October, the APRM has initiated a support mission in Sudan, under the leadership of Ambassador Ashraf Rashed, Member of the Panel of Eminent Persons of the APRM.

The team of the Support Mission included representatives of Strategic Partners of the APRM, Ms. Zemenay Lakew the Regional Office for the United Nations Programme for African Development (UNDP), Ms. Youssouf Hodane of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Mr. Bashir Elthair Yousif A Bureau of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Khartoum, and Mr. Ferdinand Katendeko, Coordinator of Sudan assessment process and Mr. Jama Dalmar, both representing the Secretariat APRM.

The Mission assessed the processes and mechanisms implemented by Sudan for its self-assessment and drafting of the National Action Programme, thereafter. In this regard, meetings were held with officials, stakeholders and African Ambassadors accredited to Sudan.

The Mission of the APRM held a first meeting with Dr Ibrahim Dagash, the APRM Focal Point liaising between the teams of the APRM and the national government. At this meeting, the APRM delegation stressed the need to establish a National Governing Council consisting of representatives of all relevant stakeholder groups and discuss further steps to be taken in the process, including a sheet of road to the implementation of the APRM at the national level and a research plan proposed to the APRM APRM Focal Point in Sudan for review.

Thereafter, the Team of the Support Mission met with members of the National Assembly. The main panel member highlighted the role of Parliament and underlined the need for a joint effort to submit a country report accepted by all stakeholders as one of the benefits of participation Parliament.

The third round of meetings was held with officials of the administration. Ambassador Ashraf Rashed stressed the key responsibility of the various departments, which is that to make a contribution in line with the implementation of policies aimed at integrating the National Action Plan in the APRM National Development.
Other meetings were held with stakeholders, among which were the organizations of civil society representing the youth, women and entrepreneurs from Sudan.

The main highlight of the mission was certainly the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) on technical assessment missions between the Republic of Sudan and the APRM event that took place during a courtesy visit by Ambassador Ashraf Rashed to HE Omar Hassan al-Bashir, President of Sudan, signed the MoU on behalf of his country, making Sudan the 19th African country to sign an MoU with the APRM.

At very short notice, it will be held in Sudan a workshop to sensitize all stakeholders.