WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has appointed Tom Perriello as Special Envoy for Sudan.
In a statement on Monday, the State Department said Special Envoy Perriello will coordinate the U.S. policy on Sudan and advance its efforts to end the hostilities, secure unhindered humanitarian access, and support the Sudanese people as they seek to fulfill their aspirations for freedom, peace, and justice.
“Special Envoy Perriello will work to empower Sudanese civilian leaders and drive our engagement with partners in Africa, the Middle East, and the international community to forge a united approach to stop this senseless conflict, prevent further atrocities, and promote accountability for crimes already committed,” the statement said.
Perriello previously served as the US Special Envoy for the Great Lakes and the Democratic Republic of Congo and as the Special Representative for the second Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review, and also represented Virginia’s Fifth Congressional District.
“Special Envoy Perriello’s extensive experience with peace, security and transitional justice issues on the African continent and other parts of the world have established him as a leader in this critical work. As he takes on this important role, he’ll draw on his over two decades of experience working across the executive branch, the legislative branch, multilateral institutions, and NGOs,” the statement added.
Perriello will largely take the roles of Ambassador John Godfrey who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Sudan, who has stepped down.
Reacting to the appointment, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield noted that the conflict in Sudan has caused widespread destruction and human suffering and produced the largest displacement crisis in the world.
“The United States is committed to working with our partners to address the humanitarian catastrophe, end the fighting, and fulfill the democratic aspirations of the Sudanese people,” she said.
Blinked said former Ambassador Daniel Rubinstein will serve as Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim for Sudan, as the Director of the Office of Sudan Affairs, and will work closely with Special Envoy Perriello, as will the Sudan team in the Bureau of African Affairs.
Already, the US has Ambassador Mike Hammer as the Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa.
Blinken in June 2022 appointed the former ambassador to the DRC as US. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, succeeding Ambassador David Satterfield, who resigned just three months after his appointment in January.
His appointment came during the fighting between Ethiopia federal forces and Tigray.
