“We don’t want your support” — Sudan Protesters Reject Saudi Arabia’s $3 Billion Aid Package

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir arrives to address members of the Popular Defence Force (PDF), a paramilitary group, in the capital Khartoum on February 12, 2019 [ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP/Getty Images]

On Sunday, Sudan received a critical financial boost from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates who granted $3 billion dollars in support of the country’s current transitional period from Omar al-Bashir’s 30-year rule.

The oil-rich Gulf states pledged to inject $500 million into the Sudanese central bank and an extra $2.5 billion to help provide food, medicine and petroleum products.

Sudanese protesters, however, declined the offer and asked the Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to keep their money; insisting that the countries are vying for influence.

They are lobbying and using money to try and control Sudan. We have enough resources to look after ourselves and our interests. We can rebuild our country without their help. We say thank you, please keep your money,” a 52-year-old protester said.

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Through songs and chants, the protesters took over the streets of Khartoum saying that they only needed good leadership and not foreign aid.

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