Credit: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe / Kacou Houadja Léon Adom (at podium), Permanent Representative of Côte d’Ivoire to the UN, briefs press on the situation in the Sudan at UN world headquarters in New York Sep. 10, 2019. Behind him at second from left is Jerry Matthews Matjila, Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Africa to the UN, and a representative from the Permanent Mission of Equatorial Guinea to the UN. At right is Fatima K. Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union.

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED NATIONS  –  NEW YORK –  The three African non-permanent UN Security Council members  Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa and Equatorial Guinea Tuesday called for the lifting of sanctions against Sudan as the nation transitions to civilian-led government.  A joint statement by  Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, and Equatorial Guinea, in addition to the UN representative from the African Union (AU), welcomed the effort of all Sudanese parties that led to the appointment of the country’s new Prime Minister  Abdalla Hamdok,  as well as the formation of a civilian led transitional government last week.  They further pointed out that the AU’s Peace and Security Council had already lifted its sanctions against Sudan in light of the country’s latest political developments.  Kacou Houadja Léon Adom, Permanent Representative of Côte d’Ivoire to the UN, briefed the press on the situation in Sudan after Tuesday’s Security Council meeting.

“Now we urge all states concerned to lift all sanctions against Sudan, including withdrawing it from the (US) list of countries supporting terrorism. We urge the new government of Sudan to observe and implement faithfully the provisions of the road map as agreed and ultimately hold free, fair and transparent parliamentary and presidential elections in order to create conditions for a peaceful transition that will ensure lasting peace and stability in the Sudan.”

-Statement  by the African Members (A3) of the United Nations Security Council (Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea & South Africa) on the situation in Sudan.

The African Union (AU) ended its three-months suspension of Sudan’s membership in the bloc last week following the installment of  a civilian-led government in the Eastern African nation after the overthrow of authoritarian President Omar al-Bashir. 

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   in the Northeast Africa nation’s capital city Khartoum Aug. 7, 2019. 

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 President al-Bashir.  Last month,   US Under Secretary for Political Affairs David Hale met with Sudan’s Transitional Military Council Chairman, General Abdel Fattah el-Burhan in the 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, the US terror listing remains on Sudan.   Ambassador 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 .

No Indications U.S. Will Remove Sudan From List of State Sponsor of Terrorism Anytime Soon

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.