AFRICOM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We’re Looking to Renew Partnership with Sudan

The new US administration of President Joe Biden has inherited from the previous administration of Donald Trump a series of controversial issues from around the world, including in the African continent.

Among them is the rising influence of Al-Qaeda and ISIS in some countries, such as the Sahel region, as well as Somalia and Mozambique. In addition, there is the issue of Russian attempts to increase Moscow’s influence, as appears to be the case in Libya and Sudan.

However, not all these issues are a burden for the US. Sudan, for instance, appears to be an opportunity for the US to increase its influence. And it is clear that the US does not hide its interest in this relationship with the new authorities in Khartoum after decades of differences with the former regime due to its connections with extremist Islamist groups.

How does the US Africa Command see these challenges and opportunities in the African continent? What does it want in Sudan? What is its objective in Libya? What is its role in the Sahel? What steps is it taking to counter ISIS in Mozambique? And is it going to leave the fight against Al-Shabab, after its withdrawal from Somalia?

To answer these questions, Asharq Al-Awsat has interviewed Colonel Christopher Karns, Director, US Africa Command Public Affairs. Here’s the interview:

Sudan

What does the US want in Sudan, which was recently visited by a US Africa Command delegation led by Ambassador Andrew Young, deputy to the commander for civil-military engagement, and US Navy Rear Adm. Heidi Berg?

“In Sudan, we're looking to renew partnership and enhance security cooperation. US Africa Command is looking to help further Sudanese efforts to professionalize their force, promote regional security and stability, advance the rule of law, and ensure transparency and accountability of Sudanese forces to the civilian-led government and the populace,” Karns said.

He added: “The recent engagement was a positive step in gaining understanding and identifying possible areas where increased cooperation and support can occur. Additional visits will occur, and we’re exploring exchanges and training opportunities. Other areas discussed include increased information sharing and ensuring stronger regional coordination and cooperation to address security needs and regional threats. Sudan is looking to bolster and strengthen government and military institutions. There are now pathways for partnership in place after the rescission of Sudan’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism in 2020. The visit served as a start to future engagement and cooperation.”

“US Africa Command maintains a strategic focus on helping to strengthen African partner institutions and capabilities while supporting efforts of other international partners facilitating security and stability on the continent. The engagement in Sudan represents a new beginning for partnership between the US and Sudan.”

Asked about Russia’s interest in increasing its presence is Sudan, especially the issue of having a naval base in Port Sudan, Karns said: “We are aware of Russia's reported interest for an increased presence in Sudan. We would refer you to the Government of Sudan for further information. As a sovereign country, Sudan will engage with other countries and make decisions they feel are in their country's best interest.”

The Wagner Group

On the role played by the Russian Private Military Company Wagner Group in the African continent, the Colonel told Aaharq Al-Awsat that the Wagner Group remains “an area of concern.”

“This group continues to seek profit and advance their own interests, often at the expense of the African country who employs them. It is important countries continue to strengthen and build their own security capabilities rather than employ the Wagner Group and their predatory practices.”

He added: “Russia has increased its engagement with African nations to gain access, enhance their global power projection capability, increase arms sales, as well as access minerals and other raw materials. US Africa Command's primary objective is to strengthen the security forces of our partners and promote greater regional security and stability which leads to increased economic development and prosperity. We look to work with partners to counter transnational threats and malign actors.”

Karns also stated that “the US uses a full complement of resources and tools of the US government, including economic and diplomatic, to assist our African partners to ensure stability and security for their citizens. We are excited about the potential to deepen our partnership with Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We will build a relationship based on trust, transparency, and a mutual commitment to ensuring security, peace, and prosperity in Africa. We will continue to engage and learn from one another.”

He also said: “The presence of Russian mercenaries anywhere in Africa creates concern because they undermine governments. It is important that Russian private military companies' operations don't disrupt progress being made by African countries in the area of governance, defense and security. Their actions undermine US and African partner efforts in African countries to promote civilian control of the armed forces, accountability, and transparency.”

Libya

On Libya, Karns explained that the US Africa Command rejects foreign military interference in the country.

He stated strong support for the Libyan ceasefire agreement, including the immediate withdrawal of foreign military forces and mercenaries. “This includes the need for the departure of Russian proxy forces, which we currently estimate to be approximately 2,000 Wagner forces in Libya.”

DRC

As for the Democratic Republic of Congo, Karns said: “Engagement in the DRC built an awareness of mutual areas of interest, a desire for further partnership, and highlighted a need for enhanced regional security cooperation to root out groups such as ISIS and the influence of malign actors. The rising influence of ISIS in the region requires monitoring and strong regional cooperation and pressure against its network. Africa cannot become a safe haven for ISIS. Malign actors as well as criminal and terrorist activity need to be disrupted via a regional and international approach.”

Somalia

On Somalia, he said “the US Africa Command continues to adjust to meet mission objectives and ensure continued pressure on the Al Shabaab network. Engagements will continue in various forms as we work to isolate and maintain pressure on Al Shabaab as part of a regional and international approach to degrading its network.”

As for the Sahel region, the Colonel explained that “the US is not the lead in the Sahel, we serve in a supporting role. We’ve provide a range of support to the French and African partners to include intelligence, aerial refueling, airlift, and training. A whole-of-government approach and working with partners to address the drivers of extremism remains a central approach of our strategy.”

As for Mozambique, he said AFRICOM continues to monitor ISIS there.

“Wherever ISIS presents itself, it is important for African partners to apply pressure to this dangerous terrorist organization to prevent it from taking root and expanding its influence. Regional cooperation and international partnership will be important to disrupt and degrade the ability of ISIS to operate and conduct operations in African countries,” he added.

The United Nations’ special envoy to Sudan, Ramtane Lamamra, has issued a stark warning about the continued flow of weapons into the war-torn country, saying it only “feeds military delusions” and delays peace.

In his first in-depth interview since assuming the role earlier this year, Lamamra told Asharq Al-Awsat that peace in Sudan cannot be imposed from outside but must be forged by Sudanese themselves through collective will and unity.

“Peace is not imposed, it is made,” he said. “And if Sudanese do not make it, it will not come to them from the outside.”

Lamamra, an Algerian diplomat and former foreign minister with decades of experience in African mediation, emphasized that no military solution is possible in Sudan’s conflict. Instead, he called for an urgent political settlement, warning that “each day of delay means more fragmentation, more bloodshed.”

Following meetings in Port Sudan with Sovereign Council leader Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and ongoing communications with the leadership of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Lamamra acknowledged that the path to peace remains long and difficult.

He condemned what he described as a dangerous “logic of dominance” driving the conflict—a belief that complete military victory is possible, regardless of the cost to Sudan’s social fabric. “Some actors still think peace can wait until one side wins,” he said. “But that’s a delusion. There is no military solution.”

Instead, he stressed: “Sudan needs a political solution based on compromise, not revenge.”

Since taking office, Lamamra has focused on coordinating rather than expanding international mediation efforts. He voiced concern about the “overcrowding of mediators,” which he said has allowed Sudanese factions to exploit international divisions.

To address this, Lamamra launched a consultative group that includes the African Union, the Arab League, and peace-sponsoring countries. The group has met in Cairo, Djibouti, and Mauritania and plans to convene again in Brussels under EU sponsorship.

“What we need is not more mediators, but consensus around a unified vision,” he said. “Multiple tracks have allowed some parties to bet on contradictory international positions, delaying serious efforts toward peace.”

He pointed to UN Security Council Resolution 2724, which tasked him with coordinating peace efforts, emphasizing that its implementation hinges on aligning international efforts behind a single, realistic peace strategy.

Asked whether Sudan’s war has faded from global attention, Lamamra acknowledged that media coverage may fluctuate but said the humanitarian catastrophe continues to deepen.

“The suffering is daily and ongoing,” he said, highlighting the dire conditions in North Darfur and the rapidly deteriorating situation in Zamzam camp. “The tragedy breaks the heart.”

With over 13 million internally displaced and millions more seeking refuge abroad, Lamamra described Sudan as the site of the world’s largest humanitarian crisis today. “This is a country under siege by arms, division, and international silence,” he said.

He praised the special attention paid by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who has longstanding ties to Sudan dating back to his leadership of the UN refugee agency.

Lamamra was especially vocal about the dangerous role of foreign military support. “Feeding the war with weapons is not support for resolution—it is participation in prolonging delusion and division,” he said.

He accused some regional and international actors of backing Sudanese factions in hopes of future influence. “They forget that war leaves nothing intact to control,” he noted. “It’s in no one’s interest to see Sudan collapse.”

The envoy reiterated the UN’s calls for a total halt to arms shipments and strict enforcement of Security Council resolutions aimed at cutting off military funding.

Despite international interference, Lamamra emphasized that the ultimate responsibility for ending the war lies with Sudanese themselves. “History will judge them first and foremost,” he underlined.

Lamamra said the Jeddah Declaration—an agreement brokered by Saudi Arabia to ensure humanitarian access and civilian protection—remains a viable starting point for peace efforts. He commended Riyadh’s efforts and urged regional actors to intensify pressure on warring factions.

He also pointed to the upcoming Arab League summit in Baghdad as a potential turning point. “Sudan is central to the Arab identity. This is not a crisis that allows for neutrality,” he said.

In a direct message to the Sudanese public, Lamamra expressed admiration for their resilience. “I visited Port Sudan recently and met with leaders and citizens. I was moved by their hospitality and strong will to take charge of their future,” he said.

He pledged the UN’s continued support, acknowledging the scale of the humanitarian challenge: “Children, women, and innocent civilians are being stripped of life’s basic necessities. This crisis demands a moral awakening—not just from governments, but from everyone who hears and sees.”

Lamamra concluded: “Peace is not a one-time event—it’s a long-term project. And if we don’t begin now, there may be nothing left to build on in a few months.”

AFRICOM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We’re Looking to Renew Partnership with Sudan