US envoy concludes Sudan visit

The US Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Ambassador Donald Booth, expressed regrets that he was unable to make his planned visit to Darfur during his five-day visit to Sudan last week.

In a press statement at the conclusion of his visit on 29 August, the US envoy said that he looks forward to re-schedule that visit soon.

“Instead we engaged with leaders of Unamid, humanitarian actors, and other Darfuri officials on issues of security, inter-communal conflict and crime, as well as delivery of life-saving assistance, and reconciliation efforts.

“My visit also included constructive discussions with civil society representatives, business leaders, political parties, humanitarian actors, and other Sudanese citizens,” he stated.

Booth said that he and his delegation talked with government officials about “the full range of issues that frame our bilateral relationship”.

The talks addressed the need for an open national political dialogue “to address the root causes of Sudan’s persistent internal conflicts and to realise more inclusive governance arrangements”, the statement reads.

The US envoy welcomed the Sudanese government’s intent to implement a two-month cessation of hostilities, and encouraged the government to “extend the time frame and couple it with a negotiated and mutually acceptable mechanism for humanitarian access in order to develop confidence in, and an environment conducive to, an inclusive political dialogue process”.

The discussions also covered economic issues such as Sudan’s outstanding debt, sanctions, and ways of utilising the important sanctions exemptions that have been granted for the benefit of the Sudanese people.

“We exchanged views on security concerns, protection of civilians, and improving humanitarian access to conflict-affected populations,” Booth stated. “Finally, we also had constructive discussions on important regional issues, including South Sudan and Libya.”