US Special Envoy for Sudan starts regional tour

May 13, 2024 (WASHINGTON) – The United States Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello travels to Uganda, Kenya, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to meet with key regional partners to advance efforts to end Sudan’s conflict.

The envoy, the US Department of State said in a statement, “will meet with partner governments to coordinate diplomatic efforts to resume negotiations, build pressure needed to protect civilians and silence the guns, and facilitate a transition to a civilian-led democratic government”.

Perriello will also meet with Sudanese civilians, including civil society, resistance committees, local response networks, women, youth, grassroots organizations, and other parties to hear their perspective on how to end the conflict in Sudan.

The US Special Envoy for Sudan was appointed in February this year with US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken saying Perriello would advance efforts to end the hostilities, secure unhindered humanitarian access, and support the Sudanese people as they seek to fulfil their aspirations for freedom, peace, and justice.

He further said the envoy will work to “empower Sudan’s civilian leaders and push US engagement with partners in Africa, the Middle East, and the international community to forge a united approach to stop this senseless conflict, prevent further atrocities, and promote accountability for crimes already committed”.

In March, the Special Envoy visited several countries in Africa and the Middle East, meeting key partner governments and stakeholders to push for peace in Sudan.

The armed conflict in Sudan has resulted in thousands of civilians killed, millions displaced, property looted and children conscripted, as fighting has spread to more regions of the country since conflict began in April last year, the United Nations said.

(ST)