Intel: Biden dispatches US senators to forge further ties with Sudan

Al-Monitor Staff

May 6, 2021

Van Hollen and Coons — US Sens. Chris Van Hollen (L) and Christopher Coons (R) hold a press conference during their visit in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on May 5, 2021. Sudan announced securing a multimillion dollar bridge loan from the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Ireland to clear its arrears with the African Development Bank. Sudanese authorities are still in talks with the United States over further financial steps to help the post-Bashir transitional period, according to US officials. — ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP via Getty Images

Democratic US Senators Chris Coons of Delaware and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland met with Sudan’s interim leaders in Khartoum on Tuesday as the administration of US President Joe Biden seeks to forge lasting ties with the east African country’s new government.

The two senators met with Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and head of the transitional government’s sovereignty council, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, as well as with Finance Minister Gabriel Ibrahim.

The lawmakers discussed US economic support for Sudan’s recovery amid its ongoing transition to democratic governance following the popular ouster of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019, according to a statement by Sudan’s Finance Ministry.

They also discussed the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and “the matter of the demarcation of state borders and their international recognition” — an apparent reference to Sudan’s ongoing border dispute with Ethiopia.

Intel: Biden dispatches US senators to forge further ties with Sudan

Two US senators met with Sudan’s interim leaders in Khartoum on Tuesday as the Biden administration seeks to forge lasting ties with the new government.

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