Wilson Center Africa Program
Sudans Working Group: A Private Discussion with Ambassador Chris Trott, UK Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan
Event Sponsor
Overview
The Wilson Center Africa Program’s Sudans Working Group (SWG) met on Thursday, March 1, 2018 for a private roundtable discussion with Ambassador Chris Trott, the UK Special Representative for Sudan and South Sudan. Dr. Monde Muyangwa, Director of the Wilson Center Africa Program, offered welcome remarks. Ambassador Nureldin Satti – former Sudanese Ambassador to France, Africa Program Global Fellow, and Co-Chair of the SWG –offered welcome remarks, and Ambassador Alan Goulty – former United Kingdom Ambassador to Sudan, Africa Program Global Fellow, and Co-Chair of the SWG – moderated the discussion. The roundtable included representatives from the government, NGOs, and academic sectors from the U.S. and Africa.
This discussion focused on the current and prospective role of the international community in South Sudan. Participants raised concerns about the dire humanitarian situation in South Sudan as well as the safety of humanitarian workers and the amount of aid given with no solution in sight. Participants debated future prospects for exercising leverage in the peacebuilding process, including instituting more strategic sanctions that address the root causes of conflict. Key areas identified for future work include administering aid strategically, engaging regional and local actors, developing more robust and inclusive data on the effects of sanctions, and examining the international community’s capacity to support the IGAD peace process.
Overall, the event was a timely opportunity analyze the current status of the conflict and progress made in South Sudan and to seek opportunities for future engagement around the key issues affecting the people of South Sudan and the broader region.
Through the Sudans Working Group, the Africa Program provides a platform for engaging U.S., African, and international policymakers and stakeholders in inclusive and forward-leaning dialogue aimed at advancing the prospects for peace, security, and development between and within the Sudans. The Sudans Working Group is co-chaired by Ambassador Goulty and Ambassador Nureldin Satti.
This event was held under Chatham House non-attribution rule.
Hosted By
Africa Program
The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations. Read more
Thank you for your interest in this event. Please send any feedback or questions to our Events staff.
