Perriello to Visit Sudan at the End of October, Sources Describe His Approach As Confused

Sudanhorizon – Mariam Absher

A well-informed source told Sudanhorizon news website that the first visit of the US Special Envoy to Sudan, Tom Perriello, is likely to take place at the end of October. The source has indicated that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Director, Samantha Power, will not be part of his delegation, as some media outlets have recently circulated.

Meanwhile, a government official, who preferred not to be named, commented on the news of the expected visit by saying: “Better late than never”. The source was referring to the fact that eight months have passed since he was assigned US envoy to the Sudan but he has not set a foot in the country, at a time the US administration that appointed him has less than three months left before the end of its presidential term and the handover to a new administration.

The official criticized the performance of the American envoy during the past period and described his statements as confused. He pointed out that Perillo had been involved during the past period in activities and meetings that did not help much in achieving his mission, whether reaching a ceasefire or stopping the attacks on civilians or halting the crimes committed by the militias against Sudanese civilians.

He added that the envoy spent a long time in meetings in other countries and with parties who do not have a direct impact on the course of the situation or with parties involved in what Sudan is subjected to.

He added that “one of the problems of the envoy is also his frequent statements to the media and he often comes to deny what was reported or what was attributed to him, the latest of which was his statements about UN forces to protect civilians in Sudan, where he mentioned that he was in contact with the African Union to consider sending forces to Sudan, then he subsequently denied it saying that it was a proposal from the “TAGADUM” group, in addition to causing an uproar when he claimed Sudanese government did not grant him a visa, whereas he had not submitted a request in the first place, then he returned and backed down from that.”

The official pointed out that the African Union is currently engaged with the Sudanese government, as a delegation from the African Union Peace and Security Council recently visited Sudan and advanced understandings have been reached during the visit, in addition to the fact that the African Union does not receive instructions from the United States or its envoy.
The government official added, “In any case, it is better late than never.”