Sudan Rejects US Ambassador's Comments on 'Governing Suitability'

In a statement released on Friday, Sudan's Foreign Ministry has called on the United States to retract comments made by its Ambassador in Khartoum, John Godfrey, who said that "neither side in the current war in Khartoum is suitable for governing the country."

Ambassador Godfrey pointed out on Thursday that the efforts of the U.S. and the international community to restore the path of civilian transition in Sudan have failed due to the ongoing war. The conflict has been raging since mid-April between the army led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sovereign Council, and the Rapid Support Forces led by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, who was formerly the deputy head of the council.

Godfrey called on both parties to end the war that he says has "destroyed the country," asserting that "the future the Sudanese people want can only be achieved when security is restored for civilians."

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry described Godfrey's statement as "inappropriate," considering it a violation of diplomatic norms and the rules of engagement between states, as well as a mutual respect for each other's sovereignty.

The statement also pointed out that the American ambassador's comments "ignore the fact that the armed forces are defending the country."

Godfrey's remarks, who had previously been responsible for the terrorism file at the U.S. State Department, come on the occasion of his one-year anniversary as the first U.S. ambassador to Sudan in 23 years, following a period of reduced diplomatic representation between the two countries.

#### Background:

The remarks by Ambassador Godfrey have ignited a new chapter in U.S.-Sudan relations, which were beginning to warm up after decades of strain. The timing of the comments also aligns with an increasing international focus on Sudan's ongoing internal conflicts, raising questions about the efficacy of foreign involvement in the country's transition to a more stable governance structure. The rejection of the ambassador's comments by Sudan's Foreign Ministry is not just an expression of displeasure but a call for respecting the complex intricacies involved in Sudan's internal matters. The reaction suggests that the Sudanese government is increasingly cautious of international commentary that could influence the country's delicate political balance.