Sudan’s Ghandour, US officials discuss ways to resume bilateral dialogue

February 11, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – During his visit to Washington, the Sudanese presidential aide discussed ways to resume discussions on bilateral relations and peace in Sudan, the State Department said on Wednesday.

On Monday and Tuesday, Ibrahim Ghandour was received by officials at the State Department for talks on the strained relations between the two countries.

“The dialogue included ways to advance a more frequent and substantive exchange about our respective interests and concerns in the region, including ways to achieve a sustainable peace in Sudan,” said a short statement issued by the State Department spokesperson.

Rights activists criticised the decision of the American administration to invite Ghandour to Washington but the State Department defended the invitation saying it is part of a process where it engages them in a ‘frank and frequent manner” to discuss a range of issues.

Sudan is part of few countries in the world considered by the US as states sponsors of terrorism. Also it is subjected to economic sanctions.

Washington admitted the cooperation of the east African country in the fight against terrorism but before to normalise relations it stipulates to end conflicts in Darfur and South Kordofan.

In December 2013, Sudan stopped bilateral discussions with US officials saying decisions in Washington are dictated by activists and hostile lobbies.

In Khartoum, it was announced that the presidential assistant will head to New York where he is expected to meet with the UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.

(ST)