Sudan, South Sudan Mourn Loss of Politician Mansour Khalid

The distinguished Sudanese diplomat, writer, historian and politician Dr Mansour Khalid passed away on Wednesday, 22 April 2020 in Khartoum, Sudan at the age of 89.

The Foreign Ministry of Sudan eulogised his death on Thursday, 23 April 2020, describing Dr Khalid as the founder of the Sudanese diplomacy with his unique capabilities in the beginning of the 1970s when he took office as the Foreign Minister in 1971. ‘Dr Khalid had mapped out the Sudan modern diplomacy and formulated its structures benefitting from his regional and international experiences,’ the ministry said. The statement lauded the efforts exerted by the late Dr Khalid to maintain peace and security in Sudan realise prosperity for its people.

On Thursday, 23 April 2020, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir ordered the flags in the country to be flown at half-mast for a period of three days. In the 1980s, Dr Khalid became close to the late South Sudanese politician John Garang, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). Dr Khalid served as SPLM negotiator during the peace negotiations with Khartoum that led to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in January 2005. After Garang’s death in July 2005, Dr Khalid stayed in contact with his successor, President Salva Kiir. Kiir said, ‘Dr Mansour Khalid contributed tirelessly to the South Sudan liberation struggle.’

Dr Khalid was the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sudan from 1971 to 1975. He also worked for the United Nations in New York. He was later transferred to the UNESCO Office in Paris where he was responsible for the relations with the Arab states for a number of years.

Dr Khalid also published several books on Sudan, including Nimeiri and the Revolution of Dis-May, The Government They Deserve: The Role of the Elite in Sudan’s Political Evolution, and War and Peace in the Sudan. A Tale of Two Countries.

Dr. Mansour Khalid, Sudan’s former foreign minister has passed on. Throughout, Dr. Khalid had shown seamless & colour-blind compassion for justice. From the 1972 Addis Agreement to the 2nd civil war, he stood for the cause of the marginalized. I had long seen this coming. RIP! pic.twitter.com/HGH9a9K3rk

— Dr. Majak D’Agoôt (@Aquaengnoq) April 23, 2020

Dr Mansour Khalid was a first rate human being, a towering intellectual and advisor to Dr John during the War of Liberation.#SouthSudan should tender his family “the consolation that maybe found in the thanks of the Republic” for a vision he fought so hard to realise.

Vale Sir pic.twitter.com/vsGmTHO8ym

— d e k u e k (@dekuekd) April 23, 2020

So sorry to hear of the passing of my old friend Dr. Mansour Khalid, former Sudanese Foreign Minister and SPLM official. Remember our talks in his lovely home, in that book-lined study filled with African art. A man of principle and an incisive analyst.https://t.co/h9teHgt4y8

— Alberto Miguel Fernandez (@AlbertoMiguelF5) April 24, 2020

I bow in respect farewell thee Dr. Mansour Khalid, a great man who used his intellect, made brave choices/helped articulate our Struggle as African Sudanese of diverse faiths/identities. Thank you Dr. Khalid, one of Africa’s finest acclaimed intellectuals, may your soul RIP🌹 pic.twitter.com/7lOX2BMIfH

— Suzanne Jambo (@SuzanneJambo) April 23, 2020