By Mohammed Abdallah
The National Security Consultancy's Secretary for Policies, Prof. Bakri Osman Saied hailed changes in US-Sudanese relations, stating that such a change began since the appointment of the US Special Envoy to Sudan, Gen. Scott Gration.
Saied described Gration's appointment as significant. "He is a retired general of African origins. He has never been known for having any affiliations to any US political groups," Saied said, adding the new US strategy for dealing with Sudan has pros and cons. He stated that the advantages of such a strategy are manifested in a joint vision with all US parties, describing it as a success by Gration.
He said the crust of the strategy involves Sudanese parties, the government and other stakeholders. He further said the disappearance of the rhetoric of threats and not raising the ceiling of sanctions was a noticeable advantage; however, he said painting what happened in Darfur as genocide- an allegation the International Criminal Court and EU failed to prove- was disadvantageous.
