British Diplomat Dame Rosalind Marsden has been appointed the new EU Special Representative for Sudan

GOOD news, just in from European Council via APO:
British diplomat appointed as new EUSR for Sudan

(BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium) August 5, 2010 - Dame Rosalind Marsden, a British Diplomat, has been appointed the new European Union Special Representative for Sudan, effective September 1st, replacing Ambassador Torben Brylle.

She has a large experience in African affairs, including as UK Ambassador to Sudan, a position she held until May this year. She will actively participate, on behalf of EU High Representative Catherine Ashton, in the international efforts in Sudan, notably the support for the preparations of the upcoming referenda in Abyei and South Sudan, liaising with the Sudanese parties as well as with all the regional, continental and international stakeholders. She will also devote considerable attention to the unsolved situation in Darfur.

Click on label here below to view previous reports. The following photo and report are from Sudan Watch archives:

Her Majesty's Ambassador to Sudan, Dr Rosalind Marsden CMG



Photo: Her Majesty's Ambassador to Sudan, Dr Rosalind Marsden CMG (Consul General, Basra 2006 - 2007) attended the launch of the Southern Sudan Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration programme in Juba on 10 June 2009. (Source: fco.gov.uk)
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Sudan’s Bashir meets outgoing British ambassador Rosalind Marsden

Thanks to Sudan Tribune for this interesting report:

Sudan’s Bashir meets outgoing British ambassador
Report from Sudan Tribune - Monday 24 May 2010:

May 23, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir met today with British Ambassador, Rosalind Marsden who came to bid farewell at the end of her term in the country.

Sudan official news agency (SUNA) quoted Bashir as praising progress of the relations with Britain, and calling for more support to the bilateral ties and joint cooperation to push forward the peace process and the development in Sudan as key elements to realize stability and democratic transformation.

Bashir also asked the Marsden to convey his greetings to the newly elected British government and affirmed the positive role it could play in supporting his country, referring to its commitments in supporting the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and its role in relieving Sudan debts.

The Sudanese head of state has rarely held meeting with Western officials who have largely avoided him since his indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC). European Union (EU) rules bars its officials from meeting individuals charged by the Hague tribunal.

The ICC urged world officials to sever all "non-essential contacts" with Bashir and other suspects still at large.

Human right groups called on ICC members to boycott Bashir’s inauguration next Thursday saying attending it would be wrong signal to Darfur victims and refugees.

However, the two top U.N. representatives in Sudan will be present at the ceremony according to a statement from the world body in New York. (ST)

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Postscript

Thanks to the Guardian for including this blog, Sudan Watch, in its sidebar for Useful links at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/darfur

• Useful links

• AllAfrica.com: Sudan
• Sudan Watch blog
• Rift Valley Institute
• Sudan Tribune
• UN Mission in Sudan
• UN Integrated Regional Info Network: Sudan

Sudan’s Bashir meets outgoing British ambassador Rosalind Marsden

Thanks to Sudan Tribune for this interesting report.

Sudan’s Bashir meets outgoing British ambassador
Report from Sudan Tribune - Monday 24 May 2010:

May 23, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir met today with British Ambassador, Rosalind Marsden who came to bid farewell at the end of her term in the country.

Sudan official news agency (SUNA) quoted Bashir as praising progress of the relations with Britain, and calling for more support to the bilateral ties and joint cooperation to push forward the peace process and the development in Sudan as key elements to realize stability and democratic transformation.

Bashir also asked the Marsden to convey his greetings to the newly elected British government and affirmed the positive role it could play in supporting his country, referring to its commitments in supporting the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and its role in relieving Sudan debts.

The Sudanese head of state has rarely held meeting with Western officials who have largely avoided him since his indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC). European Union (EU) rules bars its officials from meeting individuals charged by the Hague tribunal.

The ICC urged world officials to sever all "non-essential contacts" with Bashir and other suspects still at large.

Human right groups called on ICC members to boycott Bashir’s inauguration next Thursday saying attending it would be wrong signal to Darfur victims and refugees.

However, the two top U.N. representatives in Sudan will be present at the ceremony according to a statement from the world body in New York. (ST)

British Ambassador visit UNAMID HQ in Al-Fasher, Darfur, western Sudan

From Embassy of the Republic of the Sudan, Washington D.C., 5 Oct. 2009:
British Ambassador Visit UNAMID Headquarters in Al-Fasher

Al-Fasher, Oct. 4, 2009 (SUNA) - The Ambassador of Britain to Sudan Sunday visited in Al-Fasher the headquarters of the joint UN and African Union Mission (UNAMID) and met with its acting chairman and the commander of UNAMID and got informed on the latest developments concerning the deployment of the mission's forces, the security situation in Darfur and the challenges facing the UNAMID and the priorities of its work.

In a press statement, the Ambassador said that Britain is giving top priority to the aspired success of the peace process in Darfur, and success of the UNAMID mission and its role in the coming elections and the voluntary return of the displaced people and refugees to their home areas.

The UNAMID commander told the British Ambassador that 70% of the UNAMID forces are now deployed, stressing that his forces will work for boosting the realization of peace in Darfur.

He said that the security situation in Darfur has improved greatly, referring to activities being done by the joint mission in the fields of capacity building and supporting the social reconciliations in Darfur.

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Her Majesty's Ambassador to Sudan, Dr Rosalind Marsden CMG



Photo: Her Majesty's Ambassador to Sudan, Dr Rosalind Marsden CMG (Consul General, Basra 2006 - 2007) attended the launch of the Southern Sudan Demobilisation, Disarmament and Reintegration programme in Juba on 10 June 2009. (Source: fco.gov.uk)