By RFIPalled on 09-09-2019Modified on 09-09-2019 at 23:11

Of the four women in Abdallah Hamdok's government, diplomat Asma Mohamad Abdallah holds the sensitive post of Foreign Minister.

A woman at the head of diplomacy, this is a first in the history of Sudan as in the history of Arab countries. This experienced 73-year-old diplomat, a graduate in economics and political science from the University of Khartoum, had been sidelined by Omar al-Bashir's deposed regime. After thirty years of ban, Asma Abdallah returns to diplomacy by the big door.

She is one of the first three freshly graduated women to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Khartoum in 1971. She is part of the diplomatic mission of her country in Norway then Morocco and represents Sudan in several African and European meetings. Asma Abdallah then takes the post of Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs. As well as that of deputy director of the section "Americas" within this ministry.

reconsideration

In 1990, Omar al-Bashir who has just ally himself with Islamist Hassan al-Tourabi, promulgates a law known as "the general interest". In reality, this law allows the regime in place to get rid of diplomats who were not favorable to it in the sovereign ministries. It is in the name of this law that Asma Abdallah is then dismissed from office.

Thirty years later, Asma Abdallah sees in his appointment as head of diplomacy a reconsideration and a symbol of the great change that took place after the revolution in Sudan. In an interview with al-Jazeera channel on Sunday, she outlined the broad lines of her foreign policy during the 39-month transition period. She said that Khartoum is engaged in profound changes in all areas.

Put Africa back at the center of diplomacy

Its priority is first to remove Sudan from the list of countries accused by the United States of supporting terrorism , she said. But she also wants to put Africa back at the heart of Sudanese diplomacy. " Getting Sudan out of isolation by restoring relations with sister countries and friends and also with neighboring African countries is our second priority. "

" We truly believe that Sudan can not be separated from its brothers and neighbors ," she insisted. There is also this general feeling that suggests that Sudan has not given Africa its due when we belong to this continent. I believe we will develop relations with many African countries, in different sectors of the economy. We will be able to cooperate and exchange more, and this for the good of African countries as for the good of Sudan. "

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