Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister of State attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will visit Sudan on June 24 on the eve of the Sudan Partnership Conference, in which Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is participating. This conference, which will be hosted by Germany on June 25, is aimed at securing international financial assistance for Sudan.

This visit by the minister of state falls within the framework of the European Humanitarian Air Bridge which brings aid to several African countries and is aimed at ensuring the continuity of humanitarian operations and supporting the medical and healthcare response to the Covid-19 crisis. He will conduct this visit together with Janez Lenarcic, European Commissioner for Crisis Management.

Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne and Janez Lenarcic will be received by Prime Minister of Sudan Abdalla Hamdok. This meeting will provide an opportunity to reaffirm France's constant support for the political transition underway in the country, while the health crisis has further exacerbated the challenges facing the Sudanese authorities.

Saudi Arabia / Yemen – Missiles launched at Saudi territory (June 23, 2020)

France condemns the indiscriminate firing of missiles and booby-trapped drones at Saudi Arabia, and in particular the cities of Riyadh, Jizan and Najran, from Yemeni soil. Deliberately targeting inhabited areas, these strikes - for which Houthi rebels claimed credit - are the latest attack on Saudi Arabia’s security and the stability of the region.

Reviving discussions on a comprehensive, inclusive agreement offers the only real prospect for ending the conflict in Yemen. France reaffirms its support for UN efforts in this regard.

Belarus – Jailing of two presidential candidates (June 23, 2020)

The jailing of two candidates running in Belarus's upcoming presidential election and the arrests of citizens and journalists in recent days on the sidelines of protests supporting those candidates is contrary to the international commitments of Belarus, a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

France calls on Belarus to abide by its commitments and to guarantee the freedom of expression and right to demonstrate.