The United States has appointed veteran diplomat Jonathan B. Howard as acting chargé d’affaires at its Sudan Affairs Office in Addis Ababa, the U.S. Embassy said on Wednesday.
Howard takes over the diplomatic post as Washington continues to engage Sudanese stakeholders and international partners over efforts to end the country’s war and advance a political settlement.
According to the embassy, Howard brings extensive experience in African, security and multilateral affairs. His previous assignments include serving as political and economic counsellor in Tanzania, deputy director for economic and development affairs in the State Department’s Bureau of International Organization Affairs, and political-military counsellor in Somalia.
He has also served as a special assistant to the U.S. under secretary of state for political affairs and as director for African affairs at the National Security Council.
Howard has previously worked in Kenya, Belgium, Rwanda and Ethiopia, giving him broad diplomatic experience across East Africa and the Great Lakes region.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from Wheaton College and a master’s degree in comparative politics and African studies from the University of Virginia.
In a message marking his appointment, Howard said Washington remained committed to working with the Sudanese people and international partners to help bring the conflict to an end.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to working with the Sudanese people and international partners to end the conflict and achieve lasting peace and prosperity for Sudan,” he said.
The U.S. diplomatic mission for Sudan has operated from outside the country since the outbreak of war in April 2023, with the Sudan Affairs Office based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
