U.S. ambassador to Sudan presents his credentials after 26 years

“I look forward to strengthening the U.S. relationship with the Sudanese people, supporting their desire to advance their country’s democratic transition under civilian leadership,” Godfrey wrote in a tweet posted after the ceremony.

The new ambassador who speaks Arabic fluently posted a video on social media to the Sudanese people that his “arrival in Khartoum reflects the commitment of the U.S. administration to deepen relations between the Sudanese people and the American people on the other hand”.

Also, he said he was happy with this opportunity to work in Sudan, adding it would allow him to better know Sudan and its people. To this end, he added that he plans to visit the different regions and meet Sudanese here and there.

The credentials ceremony took place at the Republican Palace where Gen al-Burhan received him in a military uniform to tell him he was ready to hand over power to a civilian government when the political forces agreed on it.

Supporting democratic transition

Godfrey further vowed to support Sudanese to achieve their “desire” to achieve a democratic transition under a civilian government and “their dreams of freedom, peace and justice”

He pointed to the military’s commitment to withdraw from the political process and called on the Sudanese actors to engage in an inclusive dialogue to establish a new civilian government to restore the transition process.

“It is time to establish a credible civilian government. This step is necessary to resume the international partnerships with Sudan and to strengthen relations between the Sudanese government and the U.S. administration,” he stressed.

Western countries and international financial institutions suspended billions of dollars in aid and loans to recover Sudan’s collapsing economy after the military coup of Gen al-Burhan on October 25, 2021.

Since, the country has been in a dangerous constitutional vacuum and a severe political crisis. Also, political efforts to break the stalemate have been complicated by the bloody repression of the anti-coup protests and the reinstatement of the Islamist cadres in the security and civil services.

However, last July, the coup leaders pledged to withdraw from the transitional government and urged political forces to agree on a constitutional declaration and the formation of a transitional government.

(ST)