US reiterates 'firm commitment' to Sudan in special envoy's visit
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The US has reiterated its "firm commitment" to Sudan's ongoing political transition which, it said, represents a "once-in-a-generation opportunity for democracy".
This was the message of US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman when he travelled to Khartoum from 28 September to 1 October shortly after the Sudanese government announced on 21 September that it foiled a coup attempt.
A statement by the Spokesman for the US State Department, Ned Price, said Mr. Feltman held meetings with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and the members of the Cabinet, Sovereign Council Chairman Abdelfattah al-Burhan and members of the Sovereign Council, and other political stakeholders.
"Special Envoy Feltman expressed the United States’ dedication to continued political and economic support as Sudan’s transition proceeds," the statement said.
He also underscored that such support depends on Sudan’s adherence to the agreed transitional order as established in the 2019 Constitutional Declaration and the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement.
"Deviation from this path and failure to meet key benchmarks will place at risk Sudan’s bilateral relationship with the United States, including significant U.S. assistance, as well as the prospect of security cooperation to modernise the Sudanese armed forces and U.S. support in the International Financial Institutions and for debt relief."
The statement said Mr. Feltman encouraged the Cabinet, the Sovereign Council, the Forces of Freedom and Change, and other stakeholders to uphold their responsibilities at this historic moment.
They should also reassure the Sudanese people that the aspirations of the revolution will be achieved, to avoid brinkmanship and mutual recrimination, and to make swift progress on key benchmarks in the Constitutional Declaration that would stabilise the transition.
These include reaching consensus on the date of the transfer of the chair of the Sovereign Council to a civilian and beginning an inclusive process to develop a new vision for Sudan’s national security to guide the security sector reform agenda under civilian authority while recognising the integral role that the armed forces will have in a democratic Sudan.
Others are establishing the Transitional Legislative Council; creating the legal and institutional framework for free and fair elections; and reconstituting the Constitutional Court and establishing mechanisms for transitional justice.
The US said it will be critical in this regard for the Sovereign Council "to function as a collective body" in discharging the duties assigned to it in the Constitutional Declaration.
"The United States will continue to closely monitor developments, in coordination with the Troika (US, UK and Norway) and our other partners in Europe, the United Nations, and the African Union," the statement said.
The current government, a hybrid of civilian and army elements, took power after a popular revolt ended 30 years of military dictatorship by President Omar Bashir in 2019.
But two years after the resolution, the military and civilian wings in government, are still unable to blend with each other within a national interim government that has a mandate to lead the country to a free and fair election and full-fledged civilian democracy.
The two sides have taken extreme positions: the army and its agile wingers, the Rapid Support Forces, said they are no longer ready to do business with civilians who ceaselessly vilify them in public statements and in gatherings.
They are demanding a public apology and an end to threats by the civilian leaders to call the youth to take to the streets once again and make the country ungovernable.
On their part, the civilians, having witnessed the recent abortive of a coup attempt, appear suspicious that this was only a prelude for a genuine coup currently brewing.
-0- PANA MA 3Oct2021
