U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland informed Congress today, Wednesday, that "the participation of American negotiators in talks in Saudi Arabia aims to extend the ceasefire between the warring parties in Sudan, and they are feeling cautiously optimistic." This comes as she faced criticism from Senate members regarding the U.S. administration's handling of issues in Sudan.
Nuland stated before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that she "spoke this morning with American officials involved in the talks, which began Saturday, between the military and the rival Rapid Support Forces in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia."
She noted that "our goal for these talks is very focused on reaching an agreement on a humanitarian principles declaration, followed by a long-lasting ceasefire that is sufficient to facilitate the steady delivery of much-needed services. If this phase is successful, it will then allow for expanded talks with other local, regional, and international parties for a permanent cessation of fighting, and a return to civilian-led governance, as the Sudanese people have demanded for years."
Nuland confirmed that "Washington has imposed stringent sanctions on Sudan, which included suspending bilateral aid and not alleviating the debt burden, as well as imposing sanctions last year on the Sudanese Central Reserve Police."
She added that "Washington is considering identifying the parties that will be subject to sanctions following the executive order signed by President Joe Biden last week to impose Sudan-related sanctions if the military leaders refuse to allow humanitarian aid distribution and renew the ceasefire."
She stated, "We now have the sanctions tool that can allow us to continue to apply pressure on them."
Senate members from both the Republican and Democratic parties questioned Nuland about Washington's policy towards Sudan and the evacuation of Americans since the outbreak of fighting last month, and why sanctions were not imposed following the 2021 coup.
