U.S. and European media

December 16, 2022

Sudan Tribune: Congress presses for harder line on Sudan diplomacy, arms embargo.  Lawmakers in Washington this Monday and Tuesday called on President Obama and senior officials to take a harder line against the government led by President Omar Al-Bashir, which is in trilateral negotiations with the United States and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.  Since then, the presidential envoy Scott Gration, who is currently on diplomatic travel, has continued to articulate a defense of his trips to meet with members of Sudan's senior political leadership.  But such voices from within the US Executive Branch were met this week with a broadside of criticism and advice from lawmakers, activists, Sudanese expatriates, and an independent commission established by Congress.  Also calling for leadership from the top, President of the Save Darfur Coalition Jerry Fowler noted, "With elections rapidly approaching and the atmosphere getting more and more volatile, the situation in Sudan cries out for presidential leadership. In his Nobel address, President Obama recognized that the 'world must stand together as one' in dealing with recalcitrant regimes like Sudan's. That will not happen without sustained engagement by President Obama himself."

Xinhua: Gulf Arab states stand with Sudanese government in addressing Darfur issue. Gulf Arab states on Tuesday showed their praise for efforts of the Sudanese government in addressing the crisis in the western region of Darfur.  In a communique issued after the 30th leaders' summit, the Gulf states expressed the hope for the success of negotiations between the Sudanese government and relevant rebel parties for a peaceful solution to the conflict. The oil-exporters stressed that the restive Darfur is part of the unified Sudan and the Darfur issue is a political one that can only be resolved through political dialogue.  The Sudanese government and rebel groups have sit face-to-face in several rounds of negotiations, but little progress has been achieved as various parties were entrenched in their positions on key issues.

National Post: Sudan vote amid surge in violence.  A growing wave of tribal violence in Southern Sudan and increased political tensions ahead of the country's first elections in 24 years risk re-igniting one of Africa's longest and bloodiest civil wars.  More than 2,000 people have died and 250,000 been displaced this year as a result of tribal conflicts in Southern Sudan, making 2009 the most violent year in the region since the end of Sudan's decades-long civil war. Sudan will hold its first presidential, parliamentary and local elections in 24 years in April. In January 2011, Southern Sudan will hold a referendum on possible independence.  The security situation in Southern Sudan has deteriorated steadily in the run-up to next spring's elections. "Continuing violence such as this is not only a crime against the innocent people killed and injured, it is a crime against the peace of Sudan and, if left unchecked, will do great damage to the smooth implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement," says Deng Bul Yak, the Anglican archbishop of the Sudan.

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