KHARTOUM – Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohieddin Salem has called on France to reopen its embassy in Khartoum and restore its cultural centers, while saying Sudan remains open to dialogue with Ethiopia if Addis Ababa ends what Khartoum alleges is support for the Rapid Support Forces.
Salem made the remarks during a meeting on Tuesday with France’s special envoy for Sudan and the Horn of Africa, Haan Mazé Sava, at the Foreign Ministry in Khartoum.
The two sides discussed bilateral relations, developments in Sudan and the Horn of Africa, and efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.
Salem said Sudan hoped to begin a new chapter in relations with France based on transparency and what he described as an accurate understanding of developments inside the country.
He urged the French envoy to assess the situation in Sudan directly rather than rely on what he described as inaccurate narratives promoted by some Sudanese actors seeking a return to power.
The minister specifically rejected allegations that chemical weapons had been used in Sudan, describing such claims as false.
Salem said Sudan was moving toward overcoming what he described as a difficult period and invited France to reopen its embassy in Khartoum as well as French cultural centers that had previously operated in the country.
Turning to relations with Ethiopia, Salem said Sudan favored peaceful solutions because of its own experience with war and remained open to dialogue with Addis Ababa.
However, he said such dialogue would require Ethiopia to end what the Sudanese government alleges is support for the RSF and actions that threaten Sudan’s security.
Ethiopia has not commented on the allegation cited in the Sudanese account of the meeting.
The French envoy, for his part, expressed his country’s interest in building transparent relations with Sudan and said France wanted to help bridge divisions among Sudanese in support of reconciliation through a Sudanese-led dialogue.
He also expressed hope that the current conflict would become Sudan’s last war.
The meeting comes as diplomatic activity gradually returns to Khartoum following the government’s return to the capital, with several Arab, African and European diplomats recently presenting their credentials.
