January 30 - 2021 KHARTOUM
AFRICOM Director of Intelligence, Heidi Berg, meets with Sudan s Higher Military Academy professionals (AFRICOM)
A high-ranking delegation from United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) led by its deputy commander, Andrew Young, concluded a two-day visit to Sudan
for a series of meetings with military and government officials on Thursday.
Andrew Young noted the need to further the vision for a professional Sudanese military that is accountable to the Sudanese civilian-led government and its citizens in a press release on Thursday. AFRICOM Director of Intelligence Heidi Berg also stressed the importance of ensuring military and government institutions are rooted in transparency, accountability, respect for human rights.
defenceWeb
Written by defenceWeb -
Andrew Young in Sudan.
US Africa Command’s Deputy to the US Africa Command Commander for Civil-Military Engagement, Ambassador Andrew Young, and Director of Intelligence, Rear Admiral Heidi Berg, conducted a historic visit to Sudan to foster cooperative engagement and expand partnership development between 25 and 27 January.
The trip represents a new chapter in US Africa Command engagement with Sudan since the rescission of Sudan’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism in 2020. This rescission is key to the fundamental change in the bilateral relationship between the US and Sudan, Africa Command said.
“We are at a moment of historic change in the bilateral relationship between the United States and Sudan, made possible by the brave efforts of the Sudanese people to chart a bold new course toward democracy,” said Young. “I am beyond honoured to be part of the US Africa Command delegation to visit Sudan to solidify the future of
Future military-to-military engagements between the two forces were also on the agenda. We are exploring possibilities and opportunities with Sudan, militarily and diplomatically. We see increased engagement in the months and years ahead,” Mr Young added.
A visit by Gen Al Burhan to Stuttgart, and the establishment of a US naval presence on the Red Sea in Sudan are among the ideas being considered, Cameron Hudson, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council and former chief of staff for the US special envoy to Sudan, told
The National.
In December, Sudan signed a naval port agreement with Russia. Mr Hudson argued that the “US should be both embarrassed and anxious to establish its own strategic linkages to Sudan,” following Russia’s naval expansion.
United States Africa Command
News by Section Partnerships key to lasting security and stability The U.S. Africa Command Director of Intelligence, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Heidi Berg, spoke with Sudanese military professionals from the Sudanese Higher Military Academy in Sudan, Jan. 27. By View Gallery
Partnerships Key to Lasting Security and Stability
Ambassador Andrew Young, deputy to the commander for Civil-Military Engagement, is greeted upon arrival in Sudan for a series of meetings with key military and government officials the week of Jan. 25, 2021. Young and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Heidi Berg, U.S. Africa Command director of intelligence, conducted the trip following Sudan’s historic peace agreement signed on Oct. 3, 2020, to pursue new opportunities for U.S.-Sudanese partnership.