Top US diplomat in Sudan resigns from post: report

January 29, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The US charge d’affaires in Khartoum Joseph D Stafford has informed the Sudanese government that he has resigned from his post, local media have reported.

Stafford told the foreign ministry that his resignation was made for “personal reasons” and told officials in his farewell visit that he will continue communicating with them on an informal basis. He has held this post since June 2012.

The foreign ministry spokesperson Abu Bakr al-Sideeg said he expects Washington to name a new charge d’affaires but until then his deputy Christopher Rowan will head the mission.

The outgoing US diplomat urged Khartoum to allow the special envoy Donald Booth to visit but the request received a cool reception by Sudanese officials who reiterated that an agenda has to be agreed on first.

The US has not appointed an ambassador to its embassy in Khartoum since 1998 and has kept its representation there at charge d’affaires despite Sudan’s demand that it be upgraded.

Sudan on the US list of states that sponsor terrorism and under economic sanctions by Washington since 1997.

(ST)