US special envoy to visit Sudan by the end of July: diplomat
July 3, 2015(KHARTOUM) – US special envoy to Sudan, Donald Booth will visit Khartoum during the last week of July to resume discussions on way to normalize bilateral relations and end the American sanctions on the east African country.
Ali further reiterated that his government is seeking to normalize relations with the US administration, and to develop it in order to serve the interests of the peoples of the two countries.
Sudanese governments seeks the lift of American sanctions which are imposed since 1997 and the Sudan’s removal from the US list of countries supporting terrorism.
Washington admits that Khartoum is no longer harbouring terrorist groups but demands the Sudanese government to settle conflicts in Darfur and the Two Areas.
In return, the Sudanese officials say the normalization process should not be linked with the country’s internal issues but admit that Washington can contribute to end the two conflicts.
The troika countries including the United Sates welcomed the national dialogue process and expressed readiness to support it. However, Khartoum refusal to participate in a pre-dialogue meeting last March increased uncertainties about the seriousness of the Sudanese government to end the two conflicts and achieve democratic reforms in the country.
Last February, Washington invited the then presidential assistant, Ibrahim Ghandour, to remind him its condition for normalization.
The former US envoy for Sudan Princeton Lyman said in August 2012 that “the same issues which keep Sudan from peace are the same which get in the way of normalized relations with the US”.
Sudanese officials say Washington, which is accused of supporting the position of rebel groups, has to convince the armed movements to sign a cessation of hostilities agreement and to join the national dialogue.
(ST)