The APRM has undertaken a follow-up Sensitization Mission to States of the Red Sea and Gedarif (formerly part of Kassala State) including Khartoum, from 6 to 9 December 2014. This follows a Technical Sensitization Workshop which was held from 14 to 18 April 2013, in Khartoum.

The Mission headed by Ambassador Ashraf Rashed, the Lead member of the APR Panel of Eminent Persons for Sudan was in the context of the efforts to sensitize the different States within the Federal System of Sudan, in view of the Country’s endeavour to complete its first Peer Review Process by January 2016.

The mission meetings in Khartoum included, consultations with the First Vice President of the Republic, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Deputy Speaker of the Council of States, Chairpersons of several Political Parties ,the Chairperson and members of the National Governing Council, the Focal Point and the APRM National Secretariat, the Chairperson of the National Council for Press and Publications.

The meetings in the States of the Red Sea and Gedarif included, the Governors ( Wali ), the Local Ministers of the two States, as well as the Speakers and members of each State Legislative Council , the Chairpersons and members of Women Associations, Business Associations, Chambers of Commerce, Workers and Farmers Unions, Youth Representatives, and other NGOs & CIVIL Society Organizations.

Ambassador Rashed gave several interviews to the National and Local Press and TV.

The Chairperson of the National Governing Council (NGC), Ambassador Ata-Allah Bashir and Focal Point, Dr. Ibrahim Dagash who participated in the meetings, indicated that the objective is to deepen the understanding and engagement of all National Stakeholders with regard to the APRM Process in Sudan, and discuss the progress in the Road Map to complete the Process.

They reported that a Steering Committee working on voluntary basis has completed a Desk Report on four thematic areas of the APRM, which has been validated in four main States of Sudan, namely, the White Nile, North Kordofan, River Nile and the Gezira with the participation of all Stakeholders.

Ambassador Ashraf Rashed reiterated the APR Panel support to Sudan in fulfilling its APRM obligations and expressed appreciation for the progress made by the Country in that respect . He highlighted the importance of engaging the expertise of Technical Research Institutes to carry out household surveys, undertake more research work and contribute to the drafting of the National Programme of Action as part of the Country Self-Assessment Report.

Sudan acceded to the African Peer review Mechanism on 22nd January 2006.