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First US Ambassador to Sudan in 25 Years Lands in Khartoum

US Ambassador to Sudan John Godfrey (US State Department)
US Ambassador to Sudan John Godfrey (US State Department)
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First US Ambassador to Sudan in 25 Years Lands in Khartoum

US Ambassador to Sudan John Godfrey (US State Department)
US Ambassador to Sudan John Godfrey (US State Department)

John Godfrey landed in Khartoum on Wednesday to assume the position of the first US ambassador to Sudan in almost 25 years.

“Ambassador John Godfrey arrived today in Khartoum, the first US Ambassador to Sudan in nearly 25 years,” the US embassy said in a statement.

“Godfrey will work to strengthen relations between the American and Sudanese people and to support their aspirations to freedom, peace, justice, and a transition to democracy… He also looks forward to advancing priorities related to peace and security, economic development, and food security,” it added.

Godfrey is the first US ambassador appointed to Khartoum since 1996. He is fluent in Arabic, and served as the Acting Coordinator of Counterterrorism and Acting Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS in the State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism. He also worked as a political advisor at the US Embassy in Riyadh, and as a political official at the US Embassy in Damascus.

“I am delighted to arrive in Sudan,” Godfrey said in a tweet on Wednesday. “I look forward to deepening relations between Americans and Sudanese and to supporting the Sudanese people’s aspirations to freedom, peace, justice, and a transition to democracy.”

In the hearing held by Congress to ratify his post, the US diplomat said that the resumption of development aid to Sudan was linked to a democratic, civilian-led and credible transition process.

He added that the United States would use all available tools to support the Sudanese people in their quest for a democratic and prosperous Sudan in which human rights are respected.

In response to a question by Democratic Senator Chris Coons, who introduced a legislation to sanction Sudan’s military leaders, the candidate ambassador did not rule out imposing sanctions of this kind, saying that sanctions were an important tool to reveal the names involved, and push for a change of attitudes.

But he added that he wanted to study their impact on the actions of the army leaders and their financial resources, and on the Sudanese economy, and how they would relate to the US diplomatic strategy in general.

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Arab World

Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.