Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo meets with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, in Khartoum, Sudan, on August 25, 2020.  (U.S. Embassy Khartoum photo by Alsanosi Ali) 

By Gary Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC TIMES

The U.S. Trump administration has removed Sudan from a terrorism blacklist after the country agreed to pay $335 million in compensation for its alleged role in the bombing of two US embassies in east Africa by al-Qaida in 1998.   Sudan  was placed on the US’ list of state sponsors of terrorism  in 1993 by then President Bill Clinton.  

GREAT news! New government of Sudan, which is making great progress, agreed to pay $335 MILLION to U.S. terror victims and families. Once deposited, I will lift Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. At long last, JUSTICE for the American people and BIG step for Sudan!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 19, 2020

Sudan had remained  on the Terror List  despite the recent overthrow of long-time authoritarian President al-Bashir. 

Immediately after being named Sudanese Prime Minister last September 2019,  Hamdok called on the US to remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism during his address before the UN General Assembly.

Secretary of State Pompeo Pressures SUDAN To Normalize Relations With ISRAEL

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered a controversial speech in August from Jerusalem addressing the Republican National Committee. It was the first time in at least 75 years that a sitting secretary of state addressed a national convention to nominate a party’s presidential candidate.  Pompeo then flew from Israel to Sudan as the US  seeks to strengthen Sudan-Israel ties.  Pompeo met with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in Khartoum. Pompeo and PM  Hamdok discussed continued U.S. support for the civilian-led transitional government and noted that rescission of Sudan’s State Sponsor of Terrorism designation remains a critical bilateral priority for both countries. 

During the meeting in Sudan, the Secretary of State and Prime Minister agreed that achieving mutually beneficial agreement among Sudan, Ethiopia, and Egypt on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is crucial to regional stability, the State Department said.

Why Trump wants Sudan to befriend Israel: BBC

“With Sudan in desperate straits – a collapsing economy, hyperinflation looming and a nationwide food crisis – the administration of US President Donald Trump and the Israeli government have seen an opportunity.” – Alex De Waal wrote for the BBC.