Aside of a diplomat's life in Sudan. Abdul-Aziz Ali Omer

Abdul-Aziz Ali Omer
Dr. Peter Tibber is the British ambassador to Sudan had written his PhD dissertation from Oxford on Medieval History .He is a much travelled man. His diplomatic work has taken him to France, Germany, Mexico, Turkey as well as Pakistan. In his reflective moments, Dr. Tibber is struck by Sudanese archeology as the finest example of cooperation between Sudan and the global community. He had been impressed the effusive welcome he received and the tangible impact of Qatari agrarian investments. Most of all he had been impressed by the obvious respect , mutual collaboration and the warmth of human relationships among the members of archeological expeditions from the British museum and the National Corporation of Antiquities. He complained that a handful of Sudanese frequent the historical excavations sites which he said that they would contribute to building a common sense of diverse identity for a peaceful and successful Sudan.
The active personnel of the British embassy were separately on vacation in the coastal city of Port Sudan.. In a brief encounter, they stated that PortSudan possesses grand hotels and amenities which need to be filled by tourists! Such a good impression and encouraging testimony should us to promote tourism since our country has a plenty of exciting spots worthy of praise and visit.
In the recent world press freedom day hosted by Omdurman University College for the press and print Technology, "support of press is a priority for the U.K diplomacy globally" Dr. Tibber said as he resumed his way out. Later in that night, in a long and neat article which I read in a cursory way, he summed up the message of that press celebration in three points: first, the manifest courage of Sudanese journalists in standing up for press freedom. Second, the significance of press freedom as one of fundamental and civic rights and a crucial component of accountable democratic governance. Third, insistence that press freedom isn't a threat to the government but a mechanism for informed and healthy debate.
According to the ambassador Tibber, the British embassy role in supporting Sudanese press is evident in the capacity building programme for journalists, expression of concern about the harassment of journalists, suspension of Newspapers and the call for investigation and judicial reform concerning attacks on journalists.
Yes to National dialogue but only that is genuine, comprehensive and transparent, answered Dr. Tibber once I posed a question relevant to the U.K position on dialogue in Sudan. Sadig Al-mahdi has not returned to Sudan since he signed the Paris Declaration. In his Cairo sojourn, his family sent him his books and wintry clothing while his daughter is arrested for her political activities. Dr. Tibber on such a troubling development remarked saying "……It is hard to see how the national dialogue can achieve the goals set for it against that repressive backdrop…"
The diplomatic period of Ambassador Peter Tibber which is still in effect has witnessed a number of positive incidents such as the visit of Robert Gordon. Robert Gordon as the name suggests is the descendant of Charles Gordon killed by Al-mahdi troops on the steps of presidential palace in 1885. He had a chance to take an evocative tour around the palace and to enjoy the legendary hospitality of Sudanese families. As Dr. Peter explained General Robert Gordon was here to run course on U.N and peacekeeping for UNAMID senior staff.
In addition to this, one other diplomat who paid a visit to Sudan was Mark Simmond, the Minister for Africa in the Foreign Commission Office. First, as the sun was setting over the river, he was escorted by Dr. Peter Tibber and other Sudanese officials on a brief boat trip on the Nile to erase the pain of travel and then discussed the issue of political reform and economic challenges. Ambassador Peter Tibber is very active, understanding and a diplomat with passion for his work in enhancement of bilateral relations between Sudan and U.K.

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