US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that he appointed a new Special Envoy for Sudan.
“Today I am announcing the appointment of Tom Perriello as US Special Envoy for Sudan. In this role, Special Envoy Perriello will coordinate the US policy on Sudan and advance our efforts to end the hostilities, secure unhindered humanitarian access, and support the Sudanese people as they seek to fulfill their aspirations for freedom, peace, and justice,” Blinken said in a statement.
Perriello will focus on empowering Sudanese civilian leaders and on efforts to stop the conflict in Sudan and to prevent atrocities there, he added.
Blinken also pointed out that US Ambassador to Sudan John Godfrey has concluded his appointment, and former ambassador Daniel Rubinstein will serve as Chargé d’Affaires.
Violent clashes broke out between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in April of last year. Various brief nationwide ceasefires have been implemented by the conflicting parties, although none have successfully resolved the conflict. In late October, negotiations resumed with the mediation of Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, but conflicts in the country persist.