Risch Hosts SFRC Meeting with Sudanese Prime Minister Hamdok

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today hosted a committee meeting with Sudanese Prime Minister Dr. Abdalla Hamdok to discuss Sudan’s transition to democracy and the status of U.S.-Sudan relations.

“I was glad to welcome Prime Minister Hamdok to the historic Senate Foreign Relations room in the U.S. Capitol today to discuss Sudan’s ongoing transition to democracy and reaffirm the United States’ strong support for the Sudanese people,” said Risch. “The Sudanese people, in months of protests in Khartoum and across the country, overwhelmingly demonstrated their desire for freedom, democracy and civilian leadership. Today, we affirmed our ongoing commitment to supporting lasting peace and the development and humanitarian needs of the Sudanese people in partnership with Dr. Hamdok and his colleagues in the cabinet and Sovereign Council.

“We also had the opportunity to discuss the recent agreement between the United States and Sudan to initiate the exchanging of ambassadors after a 23-year gap. This decision is a positive step towards rebuilding our bilateral relationship and supporting the civilian transitional government led by Prime Minister Hamdok. I look forward to working with my colleagues to confirm a U.S. ambassador to Sudan in the coming months.”

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