Washington Shows ‘Special Interest’ in Sudan’s Darfur Region
SMA NEWS – WASHINGTON
Samantha Power, the administrator of the US Agency for International Development, confirmed that Washington would save no effort in supporting the people of Sudan, calling on world countries to send aid to the African state.
After arriving in Khartoum, Power spent the first day of her visit in Darfur, where she met North Darfur Governor Nimir Mohammed Abdel Rahman and discussed how the US could partner with Sudan to help implement the Juba Peace Agreement, particularly the security measures necessary for the people of Darfur to live safely.
They also discussed ways to build the capacity of the civil service and community organizations in Darfur, technical support to help fight corruption, and development programs to support the safe and voluntary return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes.
“The challenges facing Sudan, especially Darfur, to overcome the effects of war and conflicts, and move to the stage of construction and development, are great, and they require the contribution of the international community,” said Rahman.
“I first visited Sudan in 2004—investigating a genocide in Darfur perpetrated by a regime whose grip on power seemed unshakeable. I couldn’t imagine Sudan would one day be an inspiring example to the world that no leader is ever permanently immune from the will of their people,” Power wrote on Twitter upon her arrival in Khartoum.
Power’s visit to Khartoum is meant to “strengthen the US Government’s partnership with Sudan’s transitional leaders and citizens, explore how to expand USAID’s support for Sudan’s transition to a civilian-led democracy,” USAID said.
On her four-day visit to the country, Power is set to meet in Khartoum with top Sudanese officials, including Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, head of the ruling sovereign council, and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, the civilian face of Sudan’s transitional government.
