Crisis in Sudan
Date: 2023_04_25
Chamber: HOUSE OF COMMONS
Hon. Melanie Joly: I am very pleased, on this wonderful evening and at this late hour, to rise to speak to this issue and answer my colleagues' questions. I will be sharing my time. I want to thank my colleague, the member for Sherwood Park--Fort Saskatchewan for his work and his interest in this issue. I thank him for having initiated this debate on the very serious and difficult situation in Sudan. It has been just a few days since the crisis began. We have been working hard since last week to support Canadians on the ground and to find a diplomatic solution with several countries. I encourage every member from every party in the House to recognize the important efforts of our diplomats to respond to this crisis. I encourage them to ensure that we can support them in the coming days and weeks. Canadians are closely following what is happening in Sudan and, of course, Canada is concerned about the armed clashes that continue despite the ceasefire that was negotiated a little earlier yesterday. The Sudanese people deserve to be safe and live in peace. As a friend and partner, Canada has long supported the Sudanese. That is why we are calling for an end to the violence and we are standing by the people of Sudan in their quest for peace. That is also why we remain determined to support the Sudanese people in their desire to build a democratic future and start a transition to a government led by civilians. Earlier this month, we still saw signs of incremental progress towards an agreement on a transition to a civilian-led democracy, We were hopeful that the framework political agreement of December 2022 would be finalized, establishing a brighter path forward. Unfortunately, this progress was interrupted by violence, against the wishes of the Sudanese people, who deserve to live in peace, security and democracy. Canada unreservedly condemns the current violence and its impact on civilians, medical facilities and civilian infrastructure. We call for accountability of those who spread violence, including sexual violence. We are also greatly concerned about the safety of more than 1,700 Canadians currently on the ground in Sudan. When the violence erupted, our Global Affairs Canada team was proactive. We called on the two warring factions to accept a ceasefire. We were greatly concerned to see the escalation of violence, which resulted in hundreds of casualties and thousands of injured people. I am also very concerned by the fact that this conflict risks creating insecurity in the entire region and could have devastating humanitarian consequences. The Sudanese people deserve civilian political leaders who will be able to get the country back on its feet and meet the aspirations of its citizens. Canada already supports these efforts, especially as a member of Friends of Sudan, a group that supports the transition to democracy. It also supports women working for peace. In addition, we have supported the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development for a very long time. These two institutions ensure the development and implementation of solutions by and for Africa in order to face the challenges on the continent. When the violence began, Canada responded immediately. At that very moment, I was in Japan with my G7 counterparts and we immediately began coordinating our response. This continued to a broadened level and eventually evolved, forming an international coordination group. Over the past several days, I have also been in contact with my counterparts in Kenya, Egypt and the U.A.E. I have also been in contact with Germany and the U.S. Earlier today, the Prime Minister spoke with the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Faki. He had also spoken to Prime Minister Abiy, from Ethiopia, two days ago. I was in touch with the executive secretary of IGAD. I will continue these important conversations tomorrow and in the days to come. All partners share the same concerns about the regional impact and the increased instability this situation is creating. Rogue actors cannot be tolerated, and Canada stands in solidarity with civilians committed to a democratic future for Sudan. Yesterday, I welcomed the announcement of a 72-hour ceasefire and urged that it be implemented and respected. Unfortunately, reports of violence throughout Sudan continued today. Neither side seems willing to negotiate, despite numerous offers to mediate by regional leaders, the African Union and the IGAD. We have all seen how quickly the situation has deteriorated with fighting increasingly catching civilians in crosshairs, and with limited or no access to basic necessities and medical care. This crisis is an important one and I want to make sure that Canadians know that we are on it. Along with my cabinet colleagues, Global Affairs Canada officials and our diplomats stationed in embassies around the world, we are working with the Sudanese government, allies, like-minded partners and neighbouring countries to coordinate a response to this crisis. To all those Canadians in Sudan, please register online on the Global Affairs website. To all those with family, friends or loved ones on the ground, please encourage them to do likewise. While we had to temporarily suspend operations of our embassy in Khartoum, our Canadian diplomats and their families are continuing to work from a safe location. We are also taking care of our locally engaged staff still on the ground. They are all accounted for. They will be receiving their pay and benefits and we are checking on them on a daily basis. We are also planning to support the evacuation of those locally engaged staff who are interested in going to a safe, nearby country. We are also continuing to provide around-the-clock consular services to Canadians in need in Sudan through the emergency watch and response centre, which is staffed 24-7. I know some of them must be watching us right now. I thank them for their work. We are there to help them and it is my job to support them as well. I am getting briefings multiple times a day and I want to make sure that Canadians know that this is definitely my priority. In fact, we have contacted every single Canadian who has registered with Global Affairs. Consular officials have contacted all registered Canadians to inform them of their travel options. We continue to proactively provide information and advice. Any Canadian in need of consular support should register on the Global Affairs Canada website. Of course, we continue to advise Canadians to avoid all travel to Sudan. At this time, our consular officials are actively coordinating our efforts with several countries to secure seats on flights from Sudan to neighbouring countries. We are grateful to our partners such as Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, Sweden and the United Kingdom for their assistance. Given the exceptional circumstances of the situation on the ground, we are providing emergency assistance for those who wish to leave Sudan for a safer location nearby as well. We are also helping not only Canadian citizens, including dual nationals, but also permanent residents and their family members. That is very important. As of today, we have 1,700 people registered. Roughly 550 have requested assistance and more than 100 Canadians have already left. Thanks to our work with allies and neighbouring countries, evacuation efforts of Canadians have begun and will continue as long as the situation permits. This is all done in close collaboration with members of the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as the hard-working staff at IRCC and CBSA. Our missions in the region also continue to provide support to these efforts. This is truly an all-hands-on-deck effort, and I encourage all members in this House to recognize the significant work being done. As the situation evolves, our government will continue working tirelessly to support Canadians in need. Once we can ensure the proper provision of services, and the safety and security of our diplomats, we hope to resume the embassy operations in Khartoum. Canada will also continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan as they strive for peace, justice and a democratic future. I am ready to take all questions.