US Envoy's Historic Visit to Sudan Amid Ongoing Conflict
US Special Envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, made his first visit to the war-torn nation since the outbreak of conflict in April 2023. Meeting with Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sovereignty Council and commander of the Sudanese army, the discussions took place in Port Sudan and focused on crucial issues such as humanitarian aid and strategies to end the ongoing war. The Sovereignty Council reported that the talks were 'frank and lengthy,' involving leaders from relief organizations, the government, and local tribes.
During the meeting, Perriello presented several proposals aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis, which has left over 20 million people in need of assistance. The discussions underscored the urgent need to halt hostilities and facilitate unhindered access for humanitarian aid, particularly through local pauses to allow relief delivery. The envoy also emphasized the importance of forming a civilian government as part of the peace process.
Humanitarian Crisis and International Response
The visit comes at a critical time as the conflict between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces continues to escalate, particularly in eastern Sudan's Gezira state and around El Fasher, the army's last stronghold in Darfur. Despite US-brokered talks in Geneva earlier this year failing to yield progress towards a ceasefire, both warring factions have expressed a commitment to increasing aid access.
The urgency of the situation is compounded by a recent veto from Russia on a UN Security Council resolution that sought an immediate cessation of hostilities. The resolution, drafted by Britain and Sierra Leone, called for both parties to cease fighting and engage in constructive dialogue to de-escalate the situation. The ongoing power struggle has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of over 11 million people, with 26 million facing severe food shortages, according to UN estimates.
