WORLD> Africa
Sudan welcomes appointment of Russian special envoy
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-24 11:41

KHARTOUM -- The Sudanese government on Tuesday lauded the decision by Russia to appoint a new special envoy to Sudan earlier this month.

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement that "This step shows the strength of the special relationship between Russia and Sudan."

Khartoum further noted that the appointment "demonstrates Russia's role in resolving conflicts and laying the foundations for international peace and security."

The ministry said the new envoy will boost efforts to achieve peace in the war-ravaged region of Darfur.

In early December, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev tapped Speaker of the upper house of the Russian parliament Mikhail Margelov as the first special envoy to Sudan.

The appointment follows a visit by Sudan's Defense Minister Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein to Moscow last month in which he invited Russian companies to invest in his country, including the oil sector.

Margelov told state media that Sudanese authorities confirmed they could offer Russian companies engaged in the oil sector and railway construction in Sudan benefits to develop bilateral economic ties.

"We must expand mutually beneficial cooperation with African countries and set up a special body for that," he said.

"Russia is committed to political stability in this country, and our position is that the crisis in Sudan can be resolved only by political means," Margelov said, adding that all unresolved conflicts in Sudan and other African countries should be addressed with help, but not direct intervention, from the global community.

There are around 120 Russian personnel as part of the peacekeepers deployed in South Sudan and four Mi-8 helicopters since 2006.