Washington, D.C. — President Bush has appointed former Missouri Senator John C. Danforth as special envoy to Sudan. In a Rose Garden ceremony Thursday at the White House, Bush declared, "I am under no illusions...Jack Danforth has taken on an incredibly difficult assignment [but] it is important to this administration; it's important to the world, to bring some sanity to the Sudan."
The 18-year-old Sudan conflict has resulted in an estimated 2 million deaths. In brief remarks, Danforth said even with the best intentions in the world neither he nor the Bush Administration could create peace. "The possibility of peace depends on the will of the combatants. Perhaps America can encourage peace; we cannot cause it."
There have been four other efforts by the U.S. to end the war in recent years. All have failed. Danforth said he has already begun asking experts for their views on whether there is a "useful" role for the U.S. to play in a Sudan peace effort. "Some have frankly told me that the answer is no. Others have been more hopeful."
Assessing whether there is a serious will for peace is Danforth's primary mandate. Using a still to be set up office at the Department of State as his base, he will pursue discussions on Sudan with interested parties inside the United States, Europe and Africa. Meetings with both the Sudan government in Khartoum and the rebel SPLA in the South are also planned. "The process will take months at least," said one administration official.
Danforth's mission is complicated by deep bipartisan hostility in Congress toward the Sudanese government. Charges of slavery and persecution of Christians by a Muslim government have linked left and right on Capitol Hill. Legislation is pending that would prohibit any U.S. company doing business in Sudan from trading on the U.S. stock exchange without fully disclosing the nature of its dealings. Foreign oil companies doing business in Sudan would not be permitted to sell securities in the U.S. "Congress is on a mission when it comes to Sudan," said one Hill aide.
Khidir Haroun Ahmed, Sudan's ambassador to the United States told allAfrica.com, "We have been complaining about [the attitude of Congress] for some time. They never treat us fairly, just with sensation and passion." However, ambassador Haroun declared himself "hopeful" over the selection of Danforth as a special envoy to Sudan. "Bearing in mind what we have heard of his integrity and credibility as a senator it is very encouraging."
In Khartoum, the Sudanese government has reacted cautiously but in approving tones to Danforth's appointment. "We hope that this will be a new page in our relations with the United States," said Foreign Minister Mustapha Ismail.
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Danforth's Hill connections as a former Senator as well as the respect he commands from both liberals and conservatives there may stave off harsh legislation, at least while he explores the possibility of peace. As for any doubts about a balanced approach to Sudan, Danforth said, "I am prepared to deal constructively with both sides of the conflict, the government of Sudan and the SPLA."
If Congress is a stick being waved at Sudan's head, the executive branch of government is trying to offer carrots. About 80 percent of U.S. humanitarian assistance to Sudan has been going to areas not under the control of the Khartoum government. But of the nearly US$100m earmarked for humanitarian and development assistance in Sudan by the U.S. Agency for International Development in FY 2002, approximately US$25m - US$30m will go to the drought-stricken north.
USAID Administrator Andrew S. Natsios, who is also Special Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, will work closely with Danforth. "I'm looking forward to working together to further the Administration's goals in Sudan," Natsios said Wednesday. "Over the last four months, we've seen clear signs of progress on the humanitarian front."
For the first time last week, the central government okayed a U.S. government food relief flight to an area controlled by rebels of the SPLA.
