U.S. envoy cautions against foreign meddling in Sudan, urges regional peace efforts
November 5, 2024 (KAMPALA) — A senior American diplomat issued a stern warning Monday about the perils of foreign intervention in the Sudanese conflict, cautioning that any influx of weapons, fighters, or training would have dire consequences for the country and the Horn of Africa.
Speaking from Kampala, Tom Perriello, the U.S. special envoy to Sudan, urged neighbouring nations to act as peacemakers, not fire-starters. He expressed gratitude for their role in absorbing refugees but emphasized the need for responsible actions that promote stability and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
His comments follow accusations by the Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.) that Egypt is providing military support to the Sudanese Armed Forces and reports that Eritrea is training fighters to join the conflict.
Perriello expressed deep concern about recent atrocities committed by the R.S.F. in Al Jazeera state, which he said were well-documented. He underscored the U.S. commitment to holding perpetrators accountable, citing sanctions already imposed on individuals, including members of R.S.F. leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo’s family, and entities complicit in the violence.
“We will continue to document these atrocities and support others in documenting them,” Perriello said. “We will continue to work with other partners to impose greater costs and, most importantly, deter future violations.”
He emphasized ongoing efforts to identify those responsible for human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, noting that both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the R.S.F. have been warned of consequences for such actions.
While acknowledging allegations of support for warring factions from neighbouring countries, Perriello encouraged a regional approach focused on peace, civilian-led dialogue, and humanitarian assistance. He praised Egypt’s role in facilitating aid and mediating between the warring parties.
“We appreciate that they have made a lot of diplomatic efforts to try to end this war,” he said, “and we want to see more partners be part of these talks and negotiations to find a way forward, a way forward that respects the aspirations of the Sudanese people for unified civilian rule.”
Perriello acknowledged the lack of political will at the United Nations and the African Union for an intervention force but expressed hope for a more robust humanitarian response and a renewed push for peace, particularly from the United Kingdom in its current role on the Security Council.
He also lamented the decline of local cease-fires and humanitarian pauses that were more common in the early stages of the conflict, urging a return to such initiatives.
“We need to remember, and they also need to remember,” he said, referring to the warring factions, “that in many of these cases where people have suffered from extreme terror and fear, and in many cases from hunger for months, if not years, a few days of rest is the difference between being able to get an elderly parent out to safety.”
Perriello concluded with a plea for renewed efforts to protect civilians caught in the conflict, emphasizing the importance of even brief respites from violence in allowing access to essential aid and medical care.