World Bank Group pauses all disbursements to Sudan

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - The World Bank Group announced Wednesday that it has paused all disbursements to Sudan.

"I am greatly concerned by recent events in Sudan, and I fear the dramatic impact this can have on the country’s social and economic recovery and development," its president David Malpass said in a statement.

"In recent weeks, I visited Khartoum to meet with Sudanese authorities, including Prime Minister [Abdalla] Hamdok and [Sovereign Council] Chairman [Abdel Fattah] al-Burhan, and discussed the country’s economic and social transformation," he said. "I heard a clear commitment of all parties to work together toward a more prosperous future for the Sudanese people following 30 years of authoritarian rule and disengagement from the international community."

Malpass said the World Bank Group has also stopped processing any new operations as it closely monitors and assesses the situation in the country.

Al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s ruling military council, declared a state of emergency Monday and dissolved the transitional Sovereign Council and government.

The move came hours after the military arrested Prime Minister Hamdok and ministers in the civilian government.