Sudanese army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is the head of the Sovereign Council (Source: Sudanese Television screen)
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
Sudan has become a powder keg waiting to explode after military chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan seized power in a coup three months ago. Several anti-military protesters have been killed by the Sudanese government this week as two senior U.S. diplomats arrive in capital city Khartoum to establish a dialogue to resolve the political crisis. The United States remains concerned about Sudan’s “democratic trajectory” amid the military takeover of the transitional government. Gen. al-Burhan is the de facto head of state of Sudan as the Commander-In-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces after leading a coup d’état in October 2021 that deposed Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok Al-Kinani. In November 2021, the army general announced the formation of a new 14-member Sovereign Council which he is in charge of. Protests then erupted against Gen. al-Burhan’s military government, with more than 70 persons killed by security forces since November.
Top American Diplomat to Africa Molly Phee Visits Sudan
Molly Catherine Phee, a career diplomat, is President Biden’s nominee to become his U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. (Credit USIP.org)
Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee and newly appointed Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa David Satterfield embarked on a visit this week to Sudan. They will also travel to Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. While in Riyadh, Assistant Secretary Phee and Special Envoy Satterfield will attend a meeting of the Friends of Sudan, intended to marshal international support for the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission to Sudan (UNITAMS) in its efforts to facilitate a renewed civilian-led transition to democracy, the State Department said. Following the Friends of Sudan meeting, the Assistant Secretary and Special Envoy travel to Khartoum where they will meet with pro-democracy activists, women and youth groups, civil society, military leaders, including General al-Burhan, and political figures.
“Their message will be clear: the United States is committed to freedom, peace, and justice for the Sudanese people, ” the Department of State said.
The New Special Envoy for Horn of Africa David Satterfield is Seasoned Diplomat
Ambassador David M. Satterfield is the new U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (Credit: tr.usembassy.gov)
U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman stepped down from his post earlier this month. Feltman was initially set to take on his diplomatic role for less than a year. Ambassador Satterfield was confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to Turkey on June 27, 2019. Satterfield entered the Foreign Service in 1980 and holds the rank of Career Minister. He also served from June until July 2019 as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State. He served as Acting Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs from September 2017 to June 2019, and from July 2009 until August 2017 as the Director General of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula. At the Department of State, Satterfield served as Coordinator for Iraq and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission in Iraq, Assistant Secretary of State (Acting) for Near Eastern Affairs, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Chief of Mission in Cairo, and U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon.
Demonstration Alert: U.S. Embassy, Khartoum, Sudan
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy, Khartoum issued a Demonstration Alert Friday. “Acts of civil disobedience are expected to take place today, January 21, in Khartoum and potentially in other states. This may include centralized or decentralized demonstrations, road blockages by protesters, and business closures. Security forces may close bridges. Unannounced protests and acts of civil disobedience may continue to take place in the coming weeks, in addition to larger organized protests,” according the Alert.
