U.S. Rear Adm. Heidi Berg ,  U.S.  Africa Command Director of  Intelligence  meets with Maj. Gen. Osman Siraj, commander of the  Sudanese Armed Forces Fitness and Sports Directorate  in  Sudan Jan. 25, 2021 (credit: africom.mil)

By  Gary  Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

U.S. AFRICA  COMMAND  senior military leaders conducted a historic visit to Sudan and saluted  a “new beginning” between America and the North African nation.  Ambassador Andrew Young, U.S. Africa Command’s Deputy to the U.S. Africa Command Commander for Civil-Military Engagement, and Director of Intelligence, Rear Adm. Heidi Berg, conducted the  visit to Sudan to foster cooperative engagement and expand partnership development, Jan. 25-27. The visit comes one month after  the U.S. officially removed Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after 27 long years. During the trip Young and Berg met with Sovereign Council Chairman General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok to recognize the progressive efforts of the transitional government. 

“This is a new beginning and the start of a renewed relationship between the U.S. and Sudan. We want to deepen and broaden our relationship and pursue shared objectives.  We are at a moment of historic change in the bilateral relationship between the United States and Sudan, made possible by the brave efforts of the Sudanese people to chart a bold new course toward democracy.  We are committed to strengthening our relationship and exploring opportunities together. Together with Sudan’s civilian-led transitional government, we are striving to reinforce this new partnership between the Sudanese professional military and U.S. Africa Command.”

-Ambassador Andrew Young, U.S. Africa Command 

Ambassador Andrew Young, U.S. Africa Command’s Deputy to the U.S. Africa Command Commander for Civil-Military Engagement is greeted upon arrival in Sudan Jan. 25, 2021 for meetings with officials. 

Ambassador Andrew Young, U.S. Africa Command meets with  Sudan Maj. General Yassin Ibrahim during a series of  meetings with key military and government  officials the week of  Jan. 25, 2021. (credit: africom.mil)

U.S. Rear Adm. Heidi Berg ,  U.S.  Africa Command Director of  Intelligence  meets with  Sudanese officials of Sudan during a series of meetings the week of Jan. 21, 2021. 

“U.S. Africa Command understands the importance of combating terrorism and piracy, malign activities, and ensuring safe seas for shipping. Cooperation aimed at addressing areas of shared concern is a common interest. The transnational threats that seek to disrupt our way of life demand our dedicated teamwork and improved mechanisms for coordination and information sharing. The conversations we’ve had here this week strengthened the foundation for cooperatively addressing these challenges to peace and stability for years to come.”

-Rear Adm. Heidi Berg ,  U.S.  Africa Command Director of  Intelligence

The visit to Sudan follows U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend’s engagements last week in Djibouti, Kenya, and Somalia. U.S. Africa Command said it continues to build and strengthen East African partnerships to address mutual security issues.

The U.S. Africa Command signaled an increased commitment of support to Sudan

“We are pleased to host this high-level U.S. Africa Command delegation to Sudan, which highlights our growing bilateral relationship and underscores the United States’ support for Sudan’s democratic transition,” said Brian Shukan, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Sudan.