Sudan Remains On U.S. Terror List Despite African Nation Moving Toward Civilian Rule
Credit: twitter.com / US Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale with Sudan’s Transitional Military Council Chairman, General Abdel Fattah el-Burhan last week in the Northeast Africa nation’s capital city Khartoum Aug. 7, 2019.
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
US Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale met with Sudan’s Transitional Military Council Chairman, General Abdel Fattah el-Burhan last week in the Northeast Africa nation’s capital city Khartoum. They discussed the need for swift formation of a civilian-led transitional government in line with the recently-agreed political and constitutional documents, which the United States supports, according to a readout by the US State Department. However, Sudan remains in the US’ list of state sponsors of terrorism ever since being designated as such in 1993 by then President Bill Clinton. Sudan is still on the Terror List despite the recent overthrow of long-time authoritarian Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir. US Deputy for Political Affairs David Hale indicated that Sudan’s removal from the terror list hinges on the American government “settling some issues with the country”, according to a report in the Sudan Tribune. “The visiting senior diplomat pointed out that Washington’s decision to suspend discussions on the lifting of terror list with Khartoum is still valid. But he did not elaborate on when and under what conditions talks would resume with the new government,” the Sudan Tribune.
“The Under Secretary noted that the transitional government has a significant mandate to end internal conflicts, pursue economic reforms, credibly investigate recent acts of violence, prepare a new constitution, and organize free and fair elections. The interlocutors agreed that success will be critical to advancing the interests of both of our countries. The United States remains a steadfast partner to the Sudanese people in their pursuit of a civilian-led government that will advance peace, security, and prosperity.”
-U.S. Department of State
U.S. Appoints Special Diplomat To Sudan As Nation Falls Into Deadly Violence
Credit: U.S. Department of State / Special Envoy to Sudan Donald E. Booth
The U.S Department of State June 10 announced the appointment of Ambassador Donald Booth as Special Envoy for Sudan as the country descended into deadly violence following the overthrow of al-Bashir. Two days after the removal of al-Bashir, Lt. Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan announced that the military would give civil society rule of the country within two years. In June, the African Union suspended Sudan’s membership “with immediate effect”, as deadly violence grips the nation’s capital with dozens reported killed. On July 4, Sudan’s Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the main opposition signed a power-sharing agreement, during a transition period to lead to elections.
On July 13, the U.S. top diplomat for Africa Tibor Nagy and Booth met with the opposition Forces for Freedom and Change (FCC) in capital city Khartoum and expressed support for the need to accelerate a civilian-led transitional government amid deadly violence there.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Tibor Nagy
No Indications U.S. Will Remove Sudan From List of State Sponsor of Terrorism Anytime Soon:
“So, under current U.S. restrictions that go back many years, including our designation of Sudan as a state sponsor of Terrorism, our ability to operate in Sudan in the economic realm has been limited to humanitarian and democracy and governance areas,” Ambassador Booth said during a Telephonic Briefing with journalists in Brussels July 23. In his press briefing in Brussels on U.S. policy toward Sudan, Ambassador Booth made no mention of removing the the country from the Sponsor of State Terror List. Booth did make note of the fact that the U.S. lifted sanction against Sudan in 2017. The U.S. lifted long-standing economic sanctions against Sudan in 2017 that had been in place for two decades. The sanctions included a trade embargo, a freeze on some government assets, and restrictions on Sudanese banks and the ability of foreign banks to do business with Sudan. However, the lifting of the sanctions failed to make much of a difference in attracting badly needed foreign investment due to Sudan’s deteriorating economy, the authoritarian government of Omar al-Bashir, and unresolved political conflict.
SUDAN, IRAN , SYRIA On List Of State Sponsor of Terrorism
The U.S. Designation of Sudan as a State Sponsor of Terrorism makes the Horn of Africa nation ineligible for badly needed debt relief, and financing from the IMF or World Bank. The Clinton Administration in 1993 added Sudan to the list over allegations that president Al-Bashir was sponsoring terrorism. Sudan is one of only three countries in the world on the U.S. State Department’s list. The other two are IRAN and SYRIA. The Obama administration removed Cuba from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism in 2015. However, most recently, the Trump administration is considering putting Cuba back on terror list over island’s support of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro.
Many political observers are of the opinion it is time for the US to remove Sudan from the Terror list. Time will tell.
