Address of the President of the Republic, Imam of the National Legislative Assembly
DATE: 27 Feb 2014
In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful
Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds, and may God’s blessings be upon the best of His creation, Muhammad, and upon his pure and pure family, and upon all his honorable and righteous companions.
Dear brother, President of the National Legislature
Virtues sisters, dear brothers members of the Commission
May the peace, blessings, and mercy of God be upon you
I salute you as you begin the work of this parliamentary session after six sessions of continuous giving, in matters of legislation, oversight and guidance, in the integration of roles between the governing bodies and state administration.
As we present in this inaugural session the government’s speech, which includes a summary of its performance over the past year, we are looking forward to your opinion, in support of the strengths and the correction and treatment of any weaknesses and deficiencies.
And we, in the regular meeting, and addressing you in April of each year, have an opportunity to stand and reflect on what has been accomplished during the past year, and it is a matter of praise and thanksgiving to God Almighty, that we were able to accomplish much of what we committed to, and that within a delicate balance, suitability between what is required and what was facilitated, in a very difficult stage, in which the challenges have grown. And we were able, with the grace of God, to adapt to the emerging circumstances and overcome the challenges, with the beautiful patience that the loyal citizens endured with us, with patience over all the hardships, difficulties, costs, and the harm of the enemies, so with patience we crossed the stormy waves, and with certainty and strength of will we overcame the obstacles.
Dear sisters and brothers:
The government has made great gains, with its continuous endeavor to complete the basic structures, in various sectors of the national economy, and to lay the necessary foundations for comprehensive development, achieve security, safety and stability, and provide the necessary funds to provide services that citizens expect, and the pursuit of improving their lives and strengthening cohesion and interdependence between the people Al -Matin, sponsoring the livelihood of the servants, as well as from the animal, except for God, its provision.
It is a good opportunity to get acquainted with what we have done, and to see the result of efforts and work.
The year 2012 was the first year of the second five-year plan (2012-2016), and our efforts focused on consolidating the successes and achievements. Through continuous and regular meetings of the Council of Ministers and the constant activity of the government internally and externally, significant political, security and economic successes were achieved, and we summarize them as follows:
First: In the field of governance and administration:
1- We carried out the restructuring and reforms that we announced in the middle of last year.
2- We continued the dialogue with the government of South Sudan to implement the joint cooperation agreement that we signed in Addis Ababa in September 2012, and that led to the matrix that was signed on March 12, 2013. On the other hand, the negotiations with the field faction of the Justice and Equality Movement led to the signing of a protocol by which the movement would enter into the ranks of supporters of the peace process on the basis of the Doha Document. During the next few days, a donor conference will convene in Doha under the auspices of the State of Qatar, which we seize the opportunity to salute as an Emir, a government and a country that has made and spent a lot to achieve stability and restore development to Darfur.
3- In order to preserve the Sudanese national security, the armed forces continue in their defense tasks, and in developing and modernizing their capabilities and equipment, benefiting from the scientific progress that is available to them through their institutes, academies and military colleges that have expanded in absorption and doubled the number of personnel affiliated with the forces. A number of air bases and airstrips have also been established in various strategic directions throughout Sudan. The National Intelligence and Security Service also maintained the protection of the frontiers, provided information and analyzed it, and succeeded in detecting and following up on plans aimed at undermining security and social peace.
During the past year, the country witnessed remarkable stability in the security situation, and a decrease in crime rates, down by 9.7% from the previous year. The Civil Defense Police succeeded valiantly in putting out the fire caused by the criminal Israeli raid that targeted the destruction of the Yarmouk complex. The efforts of the Civil Registry were also directed to the states, after raising the registration rates in Khartoum state “to more than 65 percent.”
4- In order to tighten the system of guarding our national security, protecting the supreme interests of the country, and bringing benefits to it, we have committed ourselves in our management of our foreign relations to a moderate and balanced policy based on dialogue and striving to establish peace, justice and all the common denominators that unite us in the broad human family. Defending pressures and attempts to interfere in our internal affairs. The most prominent achievement we have achieved in this regard was the success in overcoming efforts to internationalize the outstanding issues with South Sudan using the stick of international sanctions, as we were able to keep the file within the African framework and intensified efforts to enhance African understanding of our positions, and to strengthen relations with all African countries, especially the countries of our immediate neighborhood. Our efforts to continue dialogue with European countries have also yielded tangible breakthroughs, as expressed in economic conferences to support Sudan in influential European capitals.
5- Sudan has ratified an estimated number of international and regional conventions such as the Arab Charter for Human Rights and the Arab Convention for the Transfer of Inmates of Penal Institutions. We have also participated in many international legal conferences. 31 various draft laws have been drafted, the constitutions of some states have been harmonized, and prosecution offices have been established to combat terrorism, drugs and cross-border smuggling. We also reconfigured the Constitutional Court, and the efforts made by legal experts in human rights forums have succeeded and refuted the fabrications and allegations of the International Criminal Court, its illegality and its distance from international justice.
6- In terms of strengthening the decentralized governance structures, the states of East and Central Darfur were established, and financial resources were allocated for management and development. We also issued decrees regulating the regional authority in Darfur with its various structures, and an estimated number of service facilities and facilities were opened in a number of states.
7- Regarding our previous commitment to restore the state of West Kordofan, we renew our commitment to returning it as soon as the consultations and the work of the committees concerned with that are over, to ensure the achievement of the highest levels of political and social consensus, and to be an addition to development, stability and societal consensus, and all of this will be completed before the end of June of this year.
8- In the media, and due to our conviction that the media is a vital partner, we gave the various media organizations a wide space and a high space to increase the areas of radio and television broadcasting, so FM radio stations increased and competed, new satellite channels appeared, and the number of newspapers increased.
Second: In terms of economic development:
1- Despite the difficult economic and financial conditions, the development activity did not stop in the strategic areas aimed at increasing production and raising productivity. Last year witnessed the completion of three major development projects, raising the Roseires dam at a cost of four hundred million dollars, opening the White Nile Sugar Factory with a design capacity to produce 450,000 tons per year, and opening the distinguished gold refinery. The commitments of the federal and state government and the provision of petroleum and wheat materials, as well as the achievement of abundance in the sugar commodity. The Sudanese economy also maintained a positive growth rate in the gross domestic product at the end of 2011, which amounted to 1.4%, and the growth rate will be doubled, according to the applied policy, from 1.4 to 3. 6%, an increase of 157%. The performance of the Sudanese economy surprised many economic analysts who were expecting an economic collapse after the secession of the south. The positive performance of the economy was achieved as a result of a combination of a number of factors, the most important of which is the implementation of an overall policy within the framework of the economic reform programs (the tripartite program for sustaining growth), which were approved by the state agencies, where many policies and procedures were taken in the financial, monetary, and external and productive sectors to absorb the negative impact of the economic difficulties that have passed us by.
2- With regard to minerals and gold extracted from Sudan, 178 squares have been explored and planned for the production of minerals, of which 138 are for the production of gold, and 91 companies start their work in various minerals, in which 13 companies have reached the stage of gold production. Laying the foundations and measures for safety, preserving the environment, and coordinating relations with mining sites. The revenues of conventional mining during the year 2012 amounted to 2.2 billion dollars.
3- The growth rate in agricultural production during the year amounted to 5.7% compared to the previous year, thanks to God and the improvement in rain rates, then the efforts that were made within the agricultural renaissance program. With this growth, agriculture contributes about 34.8% to the gross domestic product and achieves self-sufficiency in maize according to the grain balance index.
4- Sudan put forward an initiative for Arab food security at the Riyadh Economic Summit, which found support and acceptance, and its implementation will achieve tremendous value in the Sudanese economy. in the various production and service sectors
5- The rise of the Roseires reservoir was completed by raising its capacity from 3 billion cubic meters to 7.4 billion cubic meters, to increase the water generation to 1800 gigawatts / hour. The rehabilitation program for the agricultural Al-Rahd project was implemented by 82%, and Al-Gash by 93%, and other water resources projects in Halfa, Kassab and Al-Dali.
6- The electric power was raised by an increase of 11.4% from 8,455 gigawatts per hour in 2011 to 9,420 kilowatts per hour in 2012, and electricity was connected to many Nile agricultural projects.
7- On the oil, performance continued during the past year according to the strategic goals, and the Ministry of Oil succeeded with its national cadres working in providing stable supply for all the needs of Sudan from petroleum derivatives, but it was able to issue two hundred thousand metric tons of gasoline product abroad after covering the need for local consumption, and our live youth and vigilant in the field of oil and in the armed forces and other regular forces have failed the plan that was thrown to weaken Sudan with that The day after my address to your body on April 9. And the pumping was restored in a record time, which won the approval of the people of Sudan and the honor from the leadership of the state.
8- The government implemented projects aimed at promoting animal production, which led to an increase in Sudanese livestock exports amounting to 3.6 million heads, which returned to the country with foreign exchange amounting to 427 million dollars. The improvement of the breeding of beef goats and cows is currently being implemented in Sudan.
9- In the field of industry, we have opened the White Nile Sugar Factory with a high production capacity. The new season has begun for the production of edible oils from local oilseeds, and Sudan will reach the stage of self-sufficiency by the end of this year 2013, God willing. The self-sufficiency of 111 medicinal products produced by the pharmaceutical factories, whose numbers have increased in Sudan, has been completed, and a plan has been finalized to ensure the provision of the country’s need for life-saving medicines, whether imported or manufactured.
10- The investment continued to occupy a considerable space in the interests of the state, which made a great effort to overcome its obstacles to attract more investment for the year 2013, and the new investment law presented to you constitutes an advanced step in this regard.
11- Due to the importance of the transport sector, roads and bridges in advancing the development process, large sectors of roads continued to be implemented at different rates and in different parts of Darfur, South Kordofan and eastern Sudan, and appreciable efforts were made to advance the railways in rehabilitation and development.
12- With a joint effort between the federal government and state governments, the demand for marine tourism in the Red Sea State and the antiquities in the North has increased. The number of tourists who visited Sudan during the year amounted to about 575 thousand tourists, adding a significant percentage to the total output. It is known that the success of tourism in any country is an indicator of stability, and efforts have continued to collect national folklore in order to preserve it and use it to serve the community.
In the third field – brothers and sisters – which means social and cultural development, the resources allocated for social security amounted to LE 3.1 billion with contributions from the Zakat Bureau, the Pensions and Social Insurance Funds and the Health Insurance Fund, representing 37% of the total population. The proceeds of zakat increased to 655 million pounds, benefiting 2,600,000 families. And sponsoring orphans in 53 thousand families and sponsoring 150 thousand male and female students, and we have paid special attention to family formation by expanding group marriage projects.
The government continued its growing interest in the education and health sectors, two main pillars of human development. Basic schools reached more than 16,000 schools, teaching more than 5 million male and female students. The number of secondary schools increased to about 4,000 schools, with 750,000 male and female students studying. The academic year witnessed the appointment of more than 15,000 male and female teachers for the two stages in the various states of Sudan. In the field of higher education, the number of students admitted to higher education institutions is close to reaching the planned number of 150,000 students. As the number approached 140,000 students, and about 24,000 graduates from various disciplines in the fields of education, health, agriculture and livestock were accommodated.
In the field of health, efforts have resulted in a steady development of health services and a clear improvement in the health status of the population, in diagnostic and treatment services, and in spreading services to the outskirts of cities and rural areas. The year witnessed the construction and rehabilitation of 39 hospitals and 390 health centers in the various states of Sudan. The spending included free treatment for critical cases of accidents, dialysis and cancer treatment. An appreciable effort has also been made to provide an adequate level of primary care in order to reduce death and disease rates. In terms of caring for the environment and forests, large areas have been afforested inside and outside the reserved forests as part of a strategic project to plant 17 million acres of forests to compensate for the loss of forests as a result of the separation of the south. The goal is to raise the area of forest cover from 11.6 to 20% of the total area of the country.
brothers and sisters
The government has paid attention to the youth sector and nurtured them spiritually, intellectually, professionally and physically through national programs with the active participation of youth and relevant authorities. The state sponsored civil efforts in which 11 national championships were organized, Sudan hosted 41 sporting events, and national teams participated in 24 external sports competitions. Sudan achieved good results in athletics, tennis, equestrian and karate activities. Smile and optimism to its broad masses.
My dear brothers and sisters
During the past period, our country witnessed many activities towards the intellectual and doctrinal building of the nation. Universities, research academies, studies, and ministries were organized, in which discussions took place on applying the rulings and principles of jurisprudence and Sharia to the daily policies and issues of the citizen and the state. The movement of building mosques was also active, and the training of imams and preachers was intensified. God Almighty, at a time when the region is witnessing waves of extremism and fighting in the name of religion, Sudan has maintained its tolerance and moderation.
Dear sisters and brothers
This was not all the persevering efforts of the Sudanese nation during the year. There are many achievements that have been achieved, with God’s grace and grace. You will find details of them in the statements of the ministerial brothers that they will present before your esteemed body.
Brother, President of the National Legislature
My brothers and sisters are members of the Commission
As we present this address, we realize that the Sudanese people as a whole are looking forward to the next stage, which we initiated by calling for an inclusive dialogue that confirms the common denominators that bind the people of the country, and gives priority to the national interest over any other considerations, and contributes to achieving a comprehensive treatment of issues that satisfy the general people of Sudan, preserves its security and stability, and paves the way for consensus and compromise on a new constitution for the country.
The response of the political forces to our initiative came as a positive and encouraging response, stressing that the people of the country always respond to the call of the homeland when adversities, such as the high patriotic feeling shown at the time of the aggression against Heglig and Yarmouk. We affirm that we will proceed in contacts with all political and social forces, without isolating or excluding anyone, including groups that bear arms, and we have guaranteed a climate of freedoms and secured freedom of expression for individuals and groups, and in confirmation of this, we announce our decision to release all political prisoners and renew our commitment to creating an environment for all political forces that I call upon to announce their readiness for serious dialogue and understanding on the mechanisms that regulate that dialogue. Thanks are extended to the forces that hastened towards the dialogue that we want, a dialogue for all. Sudan is a homeland that accommodates everyone, with its culture, diversity, history and future.
In conclusion, I renew my greetings and appreciation to you. We pray to God to direct the steps and bless the endeavour.
Peace, mercy and blessings of God
