U.S. Special Envoy Perriello makes first visit to war-torn Sudan

PORT SUDAN – U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, Tom Perriello, concluded his first visit to Sudan since the outbreak of war in April 2024, holding what he described as “productive” meetings with Sudan’s military leaders, civil society representatives, and humanitarian agencies.

Appointed by President Joe Biden in February, Perriello’s visit is the first by a U.S. envoy since fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has claimed over 20,000 lives and displaced more than 11 million people.

During his visit to Port Sudan which took place on Monday, Perriello met with Sovereign Council Chairman Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and other senior officials, addressing the war, humanitarian access, and pathways to peace.

“I held productive meetings in Port Sudan today with Sudan’s Sovereign Council President Burhan, as well as civil society leaders and the UN humanitarian team. The U.S. supports an immediate end to the war and to the atrocities committed against the Sudanese people. We welcome recent progress to expand humanitarian access,” Perriello said on X, formerly Twitter.

Sudanese Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Omar Issa described Perriello’s engagement with Al-Burhan as “frank and comprehensive.”

He said the discussions covered a roadmap for ending the war, ensuring humanitarian aid delivery, and rebuilding social cohesion. According to Issa, Al-Burhan accepted several proposals made by Perriello, though details were not disclosed.

Perriello also met with tribal leaders, including Sultan Bahr el Din of Daar Masaalit, a group heavily targeted in the Darfur massacres. Addressing the humanitarian crisis, Perriello called for scaling up aid to 25 million Sudanese facing starvation and acute hunger.

“We must continue to increase the volume of food and medicine making it out of Port Sudan and Adre and expand emergency aid flights to isolated areas. And the only way to end the suffering is to end this war and give the Sudanese people control of their own future. The atrocities against Sudanese women must end, and civilians must be protected,” he stated.

His visit comes amid tensions over allegations that Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), controlled by the SAF, blocked aid deliveries to rebel-held areas. Perriello accused the HAC of preventing 520 out of 550 aid trucks from reaching central and southern Sudan between August and October, leaving millions without access to essential supplies.

“Humanitarian actors in Sudan are deeply concerned that SAF-aligned Humanitarian Aid Commission continues to block emergency relief deliveries to all parts of Sudan,” Perriello wrote on X earlier this month.

The HAC rejected the allegations, accusing Perriello of undermining its efforts to facilitate humanitarian work. It emphasized its commitment to delivering aid despite challenges posed by RSF looting and blockades.

Perriello acknowledged some progress on aid delivery, welcoming the opening of corridors by Sudanese authorities. However, he urged an expansion of emergency relief efforts, saying, “We will work around the clock to ensure that food, water, and medicine can reach people in all 18 states plus refugees.”

The visit signals a renewed push by the United States to address Sudan’s crisis, with Perriello reiterating Washington’s commitment to supporting an inclusive, democratic future for the Sudanese people.