In a statement after talks in Washington, the State Department offered the prospect of a formal process to delist Sudan as it called for further anti-terrorism cooperation and improvements in human rights. President Donald Trump’s administration lifted decades-old sanctions on Sudan last year but investments are still blocked by the terror designation, which carries legal ramifications in the United States.
Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan discussed items of concern during the talks Tuesday with Sudanese Foreign Minister Al-Dierdiry Ahmed, the State Department said.”The United States welcomes Sudan’s commitment to making progress in key areas,” a State Department statement said.
“As part of this process, the United States is prepared to initiate the process of rescinding Sudan’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism if the determination is made that all of the relevant statutory criteria have been met, and if Sudan makes progress in addressing each of the six key areas of mutual concern,” it said. Besides counter-terrorism cooperation and human rights, the United States asked Sudan to move forward in resolving its myriad internal conflicts — including by giving better access to humanitarian workers.
The United States also wants Sudan to act on outstanding claims related to terrorism, the State Department said.”The United States is ready to cooperate with Sudan and to monitor progress as we seek meaningful developments for the benefit of the Sudanese people and the region,” it said. Despite uneasy relations, Sudan has increasingly been seen as working with the United States in key areas including containing the turbulence in neighbouring Libya.
