Credit: Wikipedia /  U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Tibor Nagy

By Gary Raynaldo        DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The U.S. top diplomat for Africa Tibor Nagy said although the new government of Sudan is a “very positive partner “, there is no current timetable for removing the northeastern Africa nation from the so-called list of state sponsors of terrorism. Sudan installed a civilian-led government last September following the overthrow of long-time authoritarian President Omar al-Bashir.  Sudan named Abdalla Hamdok  as prime minister, who then formed the country’s first Cabinet since  al-Bashir was ousted last April. Despite the progress, Sudan remains on the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

“We have to remember one thing; the new government has been in power in Sudan for approximately six months. What we’re talking about is not just the SST, the State Sponsor of Terrorism, but it’s literally like peeling away an onion, because there are a number of restrictions on what we can and cannot do with Sudan. Remember, these were built up literally over decades. So bottom line, we see the new government of Sudan as a very positive partner, with whom we can do business. We can sit down; we can address these issues. We have active negotiations going on in a number of areas. We are optimistic. I wish I could give you a timeframe. “

-U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Tibor Nagy.

Ambassador Nagy made the remarks in response to a question from a journalist during a press briefing with reporters Tuesday.   Nagy discussed  his current trip to the African continent, visiting the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, and Somalia.  Ambassador Nagy addressed journalists while he was visiting in Khartoum, Sudan. 

Sudan Remains On U.S. Terror List Despite African Nation Moving Toward Civilian Rule

Sudan remains in the US’ list of state sponsors of terrorism  ever since being designated as such in 1993 by then President Bill Clinton. 

“Important to remember: this is not like flipping a switch on and off. This really is a process. Everyone wants a positive outcome. There are some thorny issues involved which have to be overcome. We want a successful Sudan; we want to be partners for Sudan. So we are working together on this, but obviously I can’t go into technical issues because they’re very specific and our two governments are dealing with them.”

-U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Tibor Nagy.

Terrorism Listing Not Preventing Sudan from Participating in International Finance

However,  Ambassador Nagy made it clear that the State Sponsor of Terrorism listing is not preventing Sudan from participating in international finance.  “There are a number of other criteria; for instance, Sudan has considerable arrears to international financial institutions which prevent those international financial institutions from making additional loans or grants to Sudan, so that’s one of the problems. In fact, I believe it was in 2017 that we lifted sanctions regarding international trade and being able to participate in international finance. So the issue is, number one, reputational; number two, it is the arrears that Sudan has built up that will need to be negotiated in the future. The SST really refers much more to how the United States is obligated to respond to Sudan’s request for broad projects and programs in international financial institutions.”

Africa SAHEL Remains Problematic Amid Surge In Islamist Terror Attacks

Ambassador Nagy said the terror-gripped Sahel is one of the most complicated and troubling problems in Africa.  “That is one part of Africa where unfortunately the progress, if there’s any, is very, very minimal. At the end of the day, the problems in the Sahel are not going to be solved by France or by the United States or the international community. They have to be solved by the states in the Sahel,” Nagy stated.  “At the end of the day, it comes down to governance by the individual states, by their will to move politically, to really address these serious systematic issues, which really fuel the terrorism problem,” he added.

U.S. Priority Is To Increase Trade and Investment in Africa To Provide Jobs for Young Africans: Ambassador Nagy

“Our number one priority is to dramatically increase U.S. trade and investment in Africa as a way of providing jobs for the millions and millions of young Africans who are emerging onto the scene between now and 2050, with the continent’s population doubling. We know that those young people are going to need good jobs to promote a dynamic Africa which is stable, prosperous, and it’s fully integrated into the global economic system.  In that regard, the administration has brought forth a number of new policies; for example, doubling the capitalization of what used to be the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, now is the Development Finance Corporation, to $60 billion,” Nagy explained. 

Ambassador Nagy’s Africa tour started out with the Central African Republic, which is said is facing problems of stability, security, while trying to get ready for the elections in December.  Nagy said while in CAR,  he had discussions with the president, and also some of the other international organizations, such as  the UN and others involved in trying to promote peace and stability. “Then from there we stopped briefly in Nairobi. We also spent a day in Mogadishu. We all know the problems that Somalia’s facing. This was my very first visit to Somalia and I was very eager to engage with our ambassador on the ground, Ambassador Yamamoto, but also had an opportunity to hold discussions with various elements of Somali society, as well as his Excellency the Prime Minister,” the Ambassador said.

U.S. Optimistic for South Sudan Peaceful Transition in 2020 

“I am an optimist. It is absolutely possible for South Sudan to have a peaceful transition this year. It is absolutely possible for the Central African Republic to continue rebuilding the country, to have positive elections in December. And there’s even a possibility for moving forward constructively in Somalia. So, you know, we look around the continent. Yes, there are some serious problem areas, such as in the Sahel, but in each of the rest of the trouble spots on the continent, there is the possibility and the opportunity for peace, for stability, to help move the entire continent forward. So, you know, we just need to keep working towards that, engaging and maintaining our interests.” – Ambassador Nagy.