A Reinvigorated Commitment
For the past 18 years, Sudan has been embroiled in a complicated civil war. Recently, the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement have been negotiating
in Naivasha, Kenya to find a resolution to the conflict. USAID has put over one billion dollars in humanitarian assistance into Sudan since 1989. Beginning in 1998, development assistance has also been provided in southern Sudan.
On May 3, 2001, President Bush appointed USAID Administrator, Andrew Natsios, as the U.S. Special Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan. . His main agenda has been greater humanitarian access for all of Sudan. In September, former Senator Danforth was appointed the U.S. Special Envoy for Peace to Sudan.
In the initial phase of U.S. engagement under the Special Envoy, the humanitarian and political agendas have intertwined. The success of these efforts led to negotiations between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement on a comprehensive framework agreement for peace. It has also added to increased stability with international monitoring.
Sudan Task Force
The Sudan Task Force, formed under the leadership of Assistant Administrator Roger Winter to support the Special Humanitarian Coordinator, has been an integral part of U.S. Special Envoy Danforth's missions to Sudan. USAID has played a special role in the recent negotiations and agreements, in addition to managing humanitarian and development programs in Sudan.
|