weader

Pleasure to speak with Al Jazeera Mubasher, Al-Arabiya, and Sky News Arabia.  I emphasized the importance @POTUS places on addressing the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan.  I highlighted the achievement of the Berlin Principles for Sudan, which provide a framework for reaching a peaceful and durable resolution of this conflict and were endorsed by 22 countries and international organizations.  I called on external actors to stop their military support on both sides, as it continues to fuel the conflict and is obstructing progress towards a humanitarian truce.  Sudan needs a permanent ceasefire and comprehensive peace through an inclusive Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue and transition to civilian leadership.   On Libya, I discussed the significant progress that eastern and western authorities have made toward unifying the country’s military, economic, and political institutions, including signing a national budget for the first time in 13 years and co-hosting a spoke of USAFRICOM’s Flintlock 26 special operations exercises in Sirte. The United States continues to support UNSRSG Hanna Tetteh and the important work underway through the UNSMIL roadmap, with the ultimate goal of national elections and unification.  Additionally, I spoke about the visit of Ethiopian Foreign Minister @GHessebon Gedion Timotheos and his delegation for the U.S.-Ethiopia Bilateral Structured Dialogue, where we discussed a wide range of issues, including @POTUS’s desire to achieve a mutually acceptable outcome regarding the Nile and to support regional stability.  On Western Sahara, I reiterated U.S. support for UN Security Council Resolution 2797 and achieving a peaceful, mutually acceptable resolution to the dispute, as well as our condemnation of the Polisario’s recent attacks on the city of Smara.