Sudan rejects claims of visa denial for U.S. envoy

PORT SUDAN – Sudan’s foreign ministry on Thursday denied reports that U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello had been refused an entry visa.

In a statement, the ministry clarified that “neither the Sudanese embassy in Washington nor any other embassy had received a visa request from Mr. Perriello.”

The denial comes after Sudanese local media reported Perriello claiming visa rejection during a meeting with a Sudanese civil group in Kampala, Uganda.

The Foreign Ministry contacted the U.S. State Department, which confirmed Perriello hadn’t made such statements.

Perriello, appointed in February 2024, is tasked with leading U.S. efforts to resolve Sudan’s ongoing armed conflict.

The conflict, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, has caused significant casualties.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates over 15,550 deaths and 8.7 million displaced people.