Sudanese official criticizes U.S. envoy’s approach to peace
October 4, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – A senior Sudanese government official criticized the U.S. special envoy for Sudan’s approach to peace negotiations, calling it “hasty and superficial.”
The official, who spoke to Sudan Tribune on condition of anonymity, said the government and people of Sudan want to achieve peace “today before tomorrow,” but not through the methods employed by Tom Perriello.
“The envoy may have spoken about things that were not meant to be published, but the government is awaiting confirmation or denial and is currently studying the matter,” the official said.
Perriello recently met with Sudanese civil society representatives in Nairobi, where he revealed plans to open communication channels with the African Union about deploying peacekeeping forces to Sudan. However, he did not provide a timeline for this.
The senior official also criticized Perriello’s recent comments about the Sudanese army, in which he said it had become “more hostile and extremist towards the return to a civilian democratic system.”
“The envoy’s repeated statements are contradictory and repetitive, and they do not affect the reality of what is happening in Sudan,” the Sudanese official said.
He added that Perriello should focus on “specific things he knows and can put some effort into,” instead of holding meetings and making statements that are “not very useful and sometimes do more harm than good.”
The official also expressed surprise at Perriello’s request to the African Union to prepare peacekeeping forces, saying it “seems as if the African Union follows his orders as a special envoy.”
“The African Union has its independence, charter, and methodology,” he said. “The Sudanese government agrees that it operates according to what is dictated by African interests.”
The official said Perriello’s statements “embarrass the African Union and make it appear as if it is receiving instructions from outside the continent.”
The official said it would have been better for Perriello to wait until he visits Sudan to meet with officials and listen to them.
“He has spoken a lot in the past period in different directions and with contradictory and confusing ideas,” the official said. “It is time for him to listen and understand what is happening in Sudan and make efforts to help.”
The U.S. envoy is expected to visit Port Sudan this month, but no date has been announced yet.
The official also dismissed Perriello’s recent comments that the U.S. elections would not affect his position.
“This is an indirect signal because he feels that he is under time pressure and wants to do something that helps him maintain his position whether the Democratic or Republican party is elected,” the official said. “This does not help much in achieving a breakthrough.”
(ST)