U.S. envoy, Sudanese leaders discuss war’s End and civilian Rule

November 18, 2024 (PORT SUDAN)  – In his first visit to Sudan since his appointment, United States special envoy Tom Perriello met Monday with Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of Sudan’s ruling military council, to discuss a roadmap for ending the country’s devastating civil war.

Perriello also conferred with other top Sudanese officials and civilian leaders in Port Sudan, the country’s main eastern port city, including Deputy Sovereign Council leader Malik Agar, Foreign Minister Ali Youssef, and Sultan Saad Abdel Rahman Bahr al-Din. Representatives from United Nations agencies operating in Sudan also participated in the discussions.

The meetings centred on a four-stage plan proposed by the Sudanese government to resolve the conflict. The plan calls for separating the warring factions, facilitating humanitarian aid delivery, integrating the Rapid Support Forces into the national army, and establishing a civilian-led government through a constitutional process.

“The discussions addressed the roadmap to end the war, how to deliver humanitarian aid, mend the social fabric, as well as the political process as a final way out after the war,” said Mohamed Abdallah, Sudan’s ambassador to the United States, in a statement following the meeting with General al-Burhan.

Abdallah said the U.S. envoy presented proposals to advance the peace process, which General al-Burhan accepted. He emphasized the government’s commitment to opening border crossings and airports to facilitate humanitarian relief. He denied allegations that the Adré crossing was being used to supply weapons to the Rapid Support Forces, the paramilitary group fighting the Sudanese army.

Agar, the deputy Sovereign Council leader, welcomed  Perriello’s visit, though he noted it was “long overdue.” He expressed hope that it would mark a new chapter in Sudanese-American relations, built on mutual respect and aligned with the aspirations of the Sudanese people.

However, Agar also sharply criticized the United States and European countries for their role in the conflict, accusing them of tacitly supporting the Rapid Support Forces. He further called on the U.S. to leverage its relationship with the United Arab Emirates to halt Emirati support for the paramilitary group.

During his meeting with Perriello, Foreign Minister Youssef reiterated the government’s commitment to extending the opening of the Adri crossing and other humanitarian corridors to ensure aid reaches those in need, even in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said Perriello expressed gratitude for the opportunity to visit Sudan and emphasized bipartisan support in the U.S. for humanitarian assistance and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He underscored the need for continued dialogue and denied any U.S. intention to impose an external agenda on Sudan.

Perriello concluded by stating that he sees no viable political or military future for the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, according to the Foreign Ministry.