U.S. Satterfield cut visit to Sudan

KHARTOUM, February 17, 2022 – The U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, David Satterfield, on Thursday cut his visit to Khartoum short, for personal reasons.

Satterfield arrived in Khartoum late on Wednesday. He had to discuss with Sudanese military officials and political leaders ways to end the current crisis triggered by the military coup in October.

However, the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum announced that Satterfield had to abbreviate his meetings in Khartoum and depart late February 17 for personal reasons.

“He looks forward to returning as soon as possible to continue support for Sudan’s political transition,” added a short statement posted on Facebook.

Citing Sudanese official sources, local media said Satterfield hastily left Khartoum for health reasons.

On February 15-16, the special envoy was in Abu Dhabi for discussions related to developments in the Horn of Africa.

From  February 16 to 18, he had to discuss the democratic transition in Khartoum.

Instead of Satterfield, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador Lucy Tamlyn met with the head of the Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

In a statement released after the meeting, the Sovereign Council said that al-Burhan reaffirmed his commitment to a comprehensive dialogue that leads to a consensus ending the current crisis.

In a separate statement, the Council said that Tamlyn also met with Deputy Chairman Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemetti”.

Hemetti called to consolidate bilateral relations to serve the common interests of the two countries.

The Sudan Tribune learnt that the chargé d’affaires informed the political leaders of the cancellation of their meetings the special envoy for the Horn of Africa.

(ST)