USNS Carson City (T-EPF-7) at Baltimore (USA) on 12 October 2016   (credit:  Wikipedia /  U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Ernest R. Scott)   

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

A U.S. Naval ship (USNS Carson City)  arrived at Port Sudan harbour on the Red Sea  Wednesday for the first time in decades.  This is the first American Navy ship visit to Sudan since the creation of U.S. Africa Command, and highlights U.S. engagement that strives to build a partnership with the Sudanese Armed Forces, the U.S. Navy said in a statement. 

“We are honored to work with our Sudanese partners in the enhancement of maritime security,”

-said Capt. Frank Okata, commodore, Military Sealift Command Europe and Africa and Commander, Task Force 63.

The expeditionary fast transport ship USNA Carson City arrived in Port Sudan, Sudan, on Wednesday Feb. 25, 2021, in a show of partnership between the United States and Sudan. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy 6th Fleet)

Like all EPFs, Carson City conducts overseas operations, and supports logistics and humanitarian aid. The ship is crewed by nearly 35 U.S. Navy Sailors and civil service mariners.

Prior to the port visit to Sudan, Carson City operated in the Red Sea. Carson City’s presence in the Red Sea helps promote peace, security, and freedom of the seas and is a demonstration of the U.S. commitment to maritime security and stability in the region, according to AFRICOM.

“This ship’s presence visit to Port Sudan is a demonstration of our commitment to strengthening the relationship between the United States and Sudan as the Sudanese people seek a democratic future. This visit in turn helps to promote peace, security, and preserve freedom of the seas.”

-U.S. Embassy Khartoum Chargé d’Affaires, Brian Shukan

U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts joint and naval operations in order to support regional allies and partners and U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.

U.S. Africa Command Senior Military Leaders Visit SUDAN For “New Beginning” In Relations   

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. 

Last month,  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. 

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)eg

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.