Sudan conflict: US ambassador calls for more leadership in Africa
Published: Wednesday, Sep 4th 2024, 23:00
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Against the backdrop of the devastating civil war in Sudan, with up to one million people facing starvation, the American UN ambassador is calling for more leadership from countries in the region. "What we are seeing on the African continent - and I have been very clear about this - is that it is very difficult for African heads of state and government, who have a special interest, to always work for a solution when conflicts arise in Africa," said Linda Thomas-Greenfield in New York.
There are exceptions, such as Kenya, whose government is actively trying to calm the conflict in Sudan, or the Igad trade alliance with eight member countries, including Djibouti, Ethiopia and Uganda. But there have been times when this leadership has been lacking, Thomas-Greenfield continued. The United States is making efforts to bring African actors to the table more. "I think what we need is African leadership for African solutions."
25 million do not have enough to eat
Government troops (SAF) and militias (RSF) have been engaged in a bloody power struggle in the resource-rich country since April 2023. More than ten million people have been displaced. According to the World Food Program (WFP), 25 million people, more than half of the entire population, do not have enough to eat.
Thomas-Greenfield spoke to journalists together with the US Special Representative for Sudan, Tom Perriello. Perriello, who had recently held talks in Switzerland for a ceasefire, drew a mixed conclusion from the meeting. There had been progress, but the external influence on Sudan was particularly strong.
"Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in the number of external countries and external political forces involved in Sudan. And instead of trying to help with food and medicine, they are turning up with weapons and adding fuel to the fire," says Perriello. There is also an increased influx of foreign fighters from the Sahel region.
The United Arab Emirates is also accused of fueling the conflict by supplying weapons to the RSF.
©Keystone/SDA
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