Sharjah24 – AFP: President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said France would cancel almost $5 billion in debt owed by Sudan, hailing the African nation as an "inspiration" in its transition after years of authoritarian rule.
Macron hosted Sudan's new leadership and other key African figures for a summit in Paris aimed at boosting Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok's drive for economic reform and investment.
The French leader made clear the biggest priority for making progress would be to rid Sudan of its "burden" of debt, which amounts in total to some $60 billion, adding that he hoped other creditors would follow suit.
"We (France) are in favour of an outright cancellation of our debt to Sudan" which amounts to "nearly $5 billion", Macron said after the summit.
Hamdok called the summit a "major achievement in the right direction of our transition", adding: "What we did on the debt front is marvellous."
The head of Sudan's civilian-military ruling council General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan said "the people of Sudan will never forget this gesture" adding that it would open the way "for other creditors" to make similar moves.
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