U.S. Phee reiterates calls for prompt action to restore democratic transition in Sudan
April 6, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Molly Phee, has expressed Washington’s strong support for prompt action to restore a civilian-led democratic transition in Sudan.
Phee spoke by telephone on Thursday with Khalid Omer Youssif, the spokesperson for the political process, and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo “Hemetti”, the deputy head of the Sovereign Council and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) Commander.
According to a tweet posted on Thursday, Phee said she spoke to Youssif to “offer strong U.S. support and advocacy for swift Sudanese action to complete the long journey of restoring the democratic transition.”
In a separate tweet, Phee said the purpose of her call with Hemetti was “c to underscore U.S. support for the aspirations of the Sudanese people to move now to transfer power to a civilian-led government.”
On March 30, Phee spoke with General al-Burhan, the head of the Sovereign Council, where she expressed U.S. support for the “Sudanese people’s pressing demand to transfer power to a civilian-led government.”
The political process in Sudan is facing several challenges, mainly differences between military leaders over the integration of the RSF into the Sudanese army.
Furthermore, some non-signatory armed groups continue to reject calls to join the process, demanding to give them 50% of the political mechanism that would decide on power sharing.
In January 2023, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken threatened that his administration would impose sanctions on the spoilers of the political process in Sudan.
(ST)