Kansas City Elite Conversation Preceded Crisis In Sudan

Weekend reading led us to this interesting passage which offers a teachable moment . . .

So many lofty political ideas expressed in Kansas City don't really offer us a pathway to a peaceful future. 

Here's one international example . . .

"In 2003, in Kansas City, MO, on the sidelines of the Friends of Morocco meeting, the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum hosted a screening of Bab Al-Sama Maftuh, directed by Farida Ben Lyazid. Among the audience was John Garang’s daughter. She was studying at university in Kansas City. Obviously, the Sudan issue was raised. She smartly explained that she was not interested in politics but insisted that South Sudan would gain independence no matter what . . . Like a premonition and perfect evidence of realpolitik that would considerably impact Sudan’s political and identity future."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Military Regimes Cannot Be Peace-Builders or Democracy-Promoters

In 2002, Mustafa Osman Ismail, then foreign minister of Sudan (1998-2005), held a formal meeting with the head of the Arab diplomatic corps accredited in Washington, DC, at the end of his work visit to the United States of America. Sudan and the United States had just resumed their diplomatic relations after a decade of turmoil.

Further reading . . .

U.S. carries out 1st evacuation of American citizens from Sudan conflict

WASHINGTON (AP) - Hundreds of Americans fleeing two weeks of deadly fighting in Sudan reached the east African nation's port Saturday in the first U.S.-run evacuation, completing a dangerous land journey under escort of armed drones.

Sudan fighting: No talks until bombing stops, Hemedti tells BBC

One of Sudan's duelling generals, who leads the paramilitary force fighting the country's army, has told the BBC he will not negotiate until fighting ends. But Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, said his fighters were being "relentlessly" bombed since a three-day truce had been extended.

US, partners scurry to contain fighting in Sudan

The U.S. and international partners are scrambling to contain an outbreak of fierce fighting in Sudan, where a conflict between heavily armed military factions risks exploding into a civil war that threatens devastating consequences. Intense diplomacy by the U.S., the U.K., the African Union, United Nations, Gulf countries and others succeeded in extending a cease-fire early Friday...

Sudan crisis risks becoming a nightmare for the world - former PM Hamdok

The former prime minister of Sudan has warned that the conflict in his country could become worse than those in Syria and Libya. Abdalla Hamdok said the fighting will be a "nightmare for the world" if it continues. The latest ceasefire between warring generals is faltering, with airstrikes reported in the capital Khartoum.

Developing . . .