US Obama congratulates Sudanese on Independence Day
December 30, 2014 (WASHINGTON) – US President Barack Obama on Tuesday congratulated the Sudanese people on the independence day, as the State Department condemned the decision of Khartoum government to expel two international officials from the country.
“As you commemorate this day, the United States joins you in aspiring for a future where your nation is prosperous and you are able to exercise your rights and duties as fully enfranchised citizens,” says a statement released by the White House.
He further expressed hopes that 2015 brings peace and security to “the furthest reaches of your country, which has been a proud crossroads of diverse people and civilizations through history”.
Relations between Khartoum and Washington are strained as the East African country is under US economic sanctions and branded as a terrorism sponsor.
Diplomats from the two countries failed during the past years to normalise the complicated relations. In December 2013, Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir directed his government to stop discussions with the American officials over bilateral relations saying decisions in Washington are taken by activists and pressure groups not the government officials.
Khartoum says the improvement of bilateral relations should not be linked to internal Sudanese issues, but Washington requires to allow humanitarian access in South Kordofan and Blue Nile and to end Darfur conflict.
Government of Sudan’s Decision to Expel United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and the Country Director of the United Nations Development Program
US CONDEMNS EXPULSION OF UN OFFICIALS
US State Department on Tuesday condemned the Sudanese government decision to expel Ali Al-Za’tari, the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, and Yvonne Helle, the Country Director of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
“The United States deplores the decision by the Government of Sudan to expel two senior United Nations officials and calls on the Government of Sudan to reverse the decision,” says a statement released by Jeff Rathke, the director of Director, Bureau of Public Affairs at the State Department.
Rathke underlined that such decision is “detrimental to Sudan’s relations with the international community and to the protection and well-being of the people of Sudan”.
The State Department further vowed to press the Sudanese government to cease actions hindering UN ability to meet humanitarian and security objectives in the country.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon and British minister for Africa, James Duddridge last week called on Khartoum to reverse its decision to expel the two UN officials.
(ST)