United States Ambassador Visits North Darfur State

The US ambassador to Sudan, John Godfrey, arrived in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, on Saturday morning, accompanied by a delegation of the US Congress and the American Embassy, on his first visit outside the federal capital, Khartoum, since he assumed his duties as ambassador to Sudan on August 24.

The US Ambassador and his accompanying delegation of members of the US Congress and US aid official “Mervin Ferro” were received at El Fasher Airport by the Wali (governor) of North Darfur State, Nimr Mohamed Abdul-Rahman, and a number of members of his government.

The Wali (governor) held closed-door meeting with the US ambassador and his accompanying delegation at the premises of the General Secretariat of the state’s government in El Fasher.

Nimr gave a detailed briefing to the US ambassador on progress of the implementation of the Juba Agreement for Peace in Sudan, stressing that the implementation is progressing well despite the appearance of some challenges.

He said that his government is looking forward for greater roles to be played by the United States in supporting the development process and providing services to the state’s citizens, who are still suffering from the impacts of the war.

On his part, Ambassador Godfrey stated that the purpose of his visit to El-Fasher is to get acquainted with the overall situation in Darfur, especially with regard to the implementation of the Juba Agreement for Peace in Sudan, in addition to identifying issues of development and stability in Darfur, and discussing the best ways to strengthen the bilateral relations so that America can play a bigger role in enhancing the security and stability in Sudan in general and Darfur region in particular.

He explained that the program of his three-day visit includes a field visit to Zamzam camp for the displaced, in addition to holding a meeting with the international organizations and bodies operating in the state, as well as holding another meeting with leaders of native administrations and the resistance committees and visits to El- Fasher University and Turra Village northern of El-Fasher city.

It is to be noted that Ambassador John Godfrey said in a recorded speech he directed to the Sudanese people, after presenting his credentials on last Thursday, that he looks forward to strengthening the US relations with the Sudanese people, and supporting their desire to achieve democratic transformation under a civilian leadership.

He also offered condolences to the families of the victims of the recent floods that hit Sudan and caused many deaths and a big damage adding that he will be travel all over the country to understand Sudanese culture.