Nominee for US Ambassador to Sudan Considers Applying Individual Sanctions

Protesters march during a rally against military rule following the military coup in Khartoum, Sudan. January 24, 2022. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/File Photo
Protesters march during a rally against military rule following the military coup in Khartoum, Sudan. January 24, 2022. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/File Photo
TT

Nominee for US Ambassador to Sudan Considers Applying Individual Sanctions

Protesters march during a rally against military rule following the military coup in Khartoum, Sudan. January 24, 2022. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/File Photo
Protesters march during a rally against military rule following the military coup in Khartoum, Sudan. January 24, 2022. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/File Photo

Nominee for US Ambassador to Sudan John Godfrey said that resuming paused development assistance to the African country is predicated on a credible civilian-led democratic transition.

His remarks were made on Tuesday during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing session to ratify his appointment.

Godfrey said the United States “remains poised to use all tools at its disposal to support the Sudanese people in their pursuit of a democratic, human rights-respecting, and prosperous Sudan.”

In response to a question by Democratic Senator Chris Coons, who introduced a draft resolution imposing sanctions on any military officials found responsible for obstructing Sudan’s democratic transition, Godfrey did not rule out the possibility of imposing such sanctions.

“Sanctions are an important tool to drive changes and behavior,” Godfrey stressed.

“Prior to making any recommendation on potential sanctions, I would want to understand their likely impact on the military leaders’ behavior, the practical impact on their access to financing, the impact on the economy and how it would relate to our overall diplomatic strategy, including the current UNITAMS-AU-IGAD facilitated process,” he explained.

Godfrey referred to the Departments of State, Treasury, Commerce, and Labor’s recently released business advisory on Sudan, as well as the concurrent resolution 20 calling for targeted sanctions on the military coup, which the Congress adopted earlier this month.

He said they show the unified view across branches of US government that it needs to be applying pressure and sustaining the pressure on the military government to facilitate things that lead to the restoration of the civilian-led transitional government.

If he is confirmed, Godfrey said he will certainly work with partners to sustain that pressure.

“I think what we’ve done in coordinating the pauses and debt relief credit and some development assistance are really important in that regard and need to be sustained.”

He also considered sanctioning of the Central Reserve Police and looking at potential other actions is something that the US needs to stay focused on top move forward.



China's Xi Visits Morocco, Meets with Crown Prince

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
TT

China's Xi Visits Morocco, Meets with Crown Prince

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping made a short visit to Morocco on Thursday, according to state media from both countries.
Xi was welcomed in Casablanca by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and the visit reflected the strong bonds of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, Morocco's MAP said.
The Crown Prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch met Xi at the airport, where Xi and Hassan had a "cordial conversation", China's state broadcaster CCTV said.
Xi made the visit after being in Brazil for the G20 Summit.
China has stepped up investments in Morocco's infrastructure and rail sector in recent years.
Morocco's geographic location close to Europe, its free trade agreements with key EU and US markets and its existing automotive industry, make it attractive to Chinese electric vehicle battery makers.
In June, Chinese EV battery manufacturer Gotion High Tech picked Morocco to set up Africa's first gigafactory for a total cost of $1.3 billion.