US to appoint Darfur envoy
2009-02-25 09:55
Washington - The Obama administration intends to name a special envoy to tackle the crisis in Sudan's troubled western region of Darfur, according to officials and human rights activists.
The timing of the appointment has not yet been determined, but at least two experts on Darfur and a former senator have emerged as leading candidates for the job.
The post would also encompass coordinating US policy on larger issues in Sudan, including a fragile 4-year-old peace deal that ended the country's long-running North-South civil war, they said.
John Prendergast, a former director for African Affairs at the National Security Council and Roger Winter, a former senior official in the US Agency for International Development and now executive director of the US Committee for Refugees, are top contenders, the officials and activists said.
They spoke on condition of anonymity because no public announcement has been made.
Review of US policy
Another person said to be under consideration is former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee.
His candidacy is being pushed by a fellow Republican, Representative Frank Wolf of Virginia, who recommended Frist for the job in a letter to President Barack Obama on Tuesday.
Speculation about the position rose significantly on Monday after actor George Clooney met with Obama and vice president Joe Biden.
Clooney, who recently visited Darfur refugees in eastern Chad, said he urged them to appoint a special envoy.
The White House said discussions about a special envoy were under way as part of larger review of US policy towards Sudan, but officials declined to comment on names under consideration for the post.
The envoy would report to the president through the State Department.
"There is an ongoing policy review, and it is an issue the president cares about deeply and has made a priority," said spokesperson Tommy Vietor.
- AP