The government of Sudan says efforts are being made to strengthen its diplomatic relations with Nigeria.
Mr. Ahmed Jaboul, Charge d’Affaires of the Sudan Embassy in Nigeria, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, said already existing bilateral cooperation between both countries would be consolidated.
He said that the existing relations between Sudan and Nigeria were established on mutual ground, saying more would be done to deepen ties between both countries in the education and economic sectors.
“There is a history of diplomatic relations between Sudan and Nigeria; we have many things to do together; we have many successful stories together, for a very long time.
“Only that we speak about the presidents of Sudan and Nigeria; this is only a story; wherever you go in Sudan, you will find out that the Sudanese citizens originated from Nigeria.
“You will find them at many levels, from the presidency to many other levels, wherever you go.
“In the city I came from, not less than 40 percent of the indigenes originated from Nigeria, and this is a fact; we are determined to reignite diplomatic relations and boost bilateral relations between Sudan and Nigeria.
“The Government of Sudan puts great emphasis on building such relations, and we are here to consolidate our already existing bilateral relations and further promote them.”
He said plans were underway by the government of Sudan to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in the educational sector as well as other sectors of the economy.
He disclosed that Sudan educational institutions are affiliated with Nigerian universities in Sokoto, Kano, Abuja, and Kaduna as a means of deepening educational ties among students from both countries.
“We would like to acquaint ourselves with the Nigerian people and the Nigerian community here; the relations between the two countries—history, present, future—and cooperation between our two countries are priorities.
“Nigeria played a very important role in the mediation process in Sudan, which is why, in early 1992, the then government of Sudan recorded a successful story done by Nigeria.
“I know lots of Nigerians across West Africa; we believe Nigeria can still play a vital role in the settlement of the situation in Sudan, and not only in Sudan but also in the whole of Africa.
“We know how important the role played by Nigeria contributed to peace and stability in Africa. Nigeria convened the mediation process in 2005 between the government of Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Movement.
“The Sudanese government is very grateful to the government of Nigeria and the Nigerian people.
“So, we will like to further continue this relationship,” he added.
He attributed the success so far recorded in the education sector between both countries to coordination through a tripartite agreement between the Sudan Embassy, Nigerian students in Sudan, and Sudanese universities. (NAN
