Joseph Hammond, Special to Al Arabiya English – KhartoumFriday, 29 September 2017

Sudan once a source of instability in Northern Africa is increasingly a source of regional stability. That was one of the themes of a major intelligence conference which concluded on Friday in Khartoum.

The Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) is an annual gathering that began life in 2005 as a closed-door event for intelligence operatives which has grown to become the premier gathering of intelligence and security services in Africa.

Representatives from the CIA as well as French and Saudi intelligence packed the Chinese- built Friendship Palace hall in downtown Khartoum for the conference.

On Friday, Brig Gen Joseph Nzabamwita, the secretary-general of the National Intelligence and Security Services, who is also the current Chairperson of CISSA formally end his chairmanship in favor of the Sudan. During public remarks a day earlier, Nzabamwita expressed solidarity with Sudan’s efforts to have the US sanctions lifted.

This is the third time Sudan has hosted the event. Sudan remains one of the most active members in CISSA.

Sudan’s chairmanship comes as the country is increasingly seen an island of stability surrounded by conflicts in Libya and the Central African Republic.

Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir was the last to speak at the conference’s public session and noted that “Sudan will spare no effort to support our brothers the South Sudanese refugees, despite the absence of any support from the international community.”

While the United Nations believes there are roughly half a million refugees from the South, Sudan believes the number is far higher.

The Sudanese government also accuses Juba of funding rebels in Darfur and in the Nuba mountains.

“Sudanese intelligence [NISS] is one of the more innovative intelligence services in Africa, and this conference is important because it allows us to share our experiences in fighting problems like terror, an issue we face even in Southern Africa,” said a member of the Angolan intelligence service who asked not to be named.

Indeed, many of the “spooks” at the conference were reluctant to speak to the media so as not to lose their cover