US Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale will on Wednesday meet with representatives from the Transitional Military Council and Forces for Freedom and Change and civil society.
The State Department said the meeting will “encourage full and timely implementation of the agreements reached on July 17, and August 4, to create a civilian-led transitional government, and underscore our expectation that the transitional government will reflect the will of the Sudanese people.”
John Prendergast, Founding Director of the Enough Project, and Co-Founder of The Sentry, said the US has a unique opportunity to support peace and democracy in Sudan.
“But leaving the current ‘deep state’ untouched is a recipe for continued violence and corruption-fueled gridlock. The US should use network sanctions to target peace spoilers like General Hemedti and the Rapid Support Forces, as well as some of the companies that the intelligence and security services operate as a means of looting the wealth of the country,” Prendergast said.
He noted that until the underlying kleptocracy begins to be dismantled, there will be many agreements signed but none implemented.”
Director of Policy and Analysis at The Sentry Joshua White said time has come for the US to prioritize stemming illicit financial flows from Sudan.
“Extensive corruption in the country serves to prop up Sudanese officials who repress and steal from their people. Under Secretary Hale should make clear that the US will not tolerate the massive theft of state assets by those whose power is a legacy of Omar al-Bashir, and should take action through the U.S. Treasury Department’s powerful anti-money laundering and asset freezing authorities,” he said.
Under Secretary Hale is on a visit to the Horn of Africa countries of Somalia, Kenya, and Sudan.
During his visit to Kenya on Tuesday, he met Foreign Affairs CS Ambassador Macharia Kamau and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua in what is thought to be another attempt by the US to broker a dal on the maritime dispute.
