U.S senators call to curb “malign forces” in Sudan

October 20, 2021 (WASHINGTON) – Two prominent Democrat and Republican members of the U.S. Senate on Wednesday called to curb malign forces seeking to undermine the democratic transition in Sudan.

U.S. Senators Chris Coons, member of the Subcommittee on African Affairs and chair of the State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) Appropriations Subcommittee, and Jim Risch, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released a statement calling to support Sudanese to overcome the challenges facing the transition.

The senators underscored that supporting the ongoing transition in Sudan remains “a top priority for the United States in Africa” adding that the Sudanese people determination to achieve political, economic and security reforms, as well as justice is an inspiration to those fighting for democracy around the world.

“The United States must also continue working with Sudan’s government and our international partners to reign in the malign forces seeking to undermine the country’s transition,” they further stressed.

U.S. Congress voted legislation to support the democratic transition in Sudan, earlier this year. Also, Washington formed an international coalition “Friends of Sudan”.

The senators recalled that the U.S. is committing more than $1 billion in U.S. foreign assistance, engaging in debt relief, and removed Sudan from the list of State Sponsor of Terrorism.

Coons, a close friend to President Biden; visited Khartoum last May 2021 for talks with Sudanese officials regarding U.S. support to the transitional government and the border dispute with Ethiopia.

Before leaving Khartoum, he called to unify all the militias and armed groups in Sudan under the control of the civilian government.

(ST)