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. has officially removed Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after 27 long years, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo announced Monday.  Last month,  the U.S. Trump administration dropped 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 had remained  on the Terror List  despite the recent overthrow of long-time authoritarian President al-Bashir. 

“Today, Sudan’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism is officially rescinded.  This represents a fundamental change in our bilateral relationship toward greater collaboration and support for Sudan’s historic democratic transition.  This achievement was made possible by the efforts of Sudan’s civilian-led transitional government to chart a bold new course away from the legacy of the Bashir regime and, in particular, to meet the statutory and policy criteria for rescission.”

-U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo,  Dec. 14, 2020 

Until now,  Sudan had remained  in the US’ list of state sponsors of terrorism  ever since being designated as such in 1993 by then President Bill Clinton.  The Clinton Administration added Sudan to the list over allegations that president Al-Bashir was sponsoring terrorism.  Sudan was one of only three countries in the world on the U.S. State Department’s list. The other two are IRAN and SYRIA

EUROPEAN  UNION  Applauds Sudan’s Removal from U.S. Terror List

“The finalisation of the removal of Sudan from the US State Sponsors of Terrorism list represents a significant milestone for Sudan’s ongoing political and economic transition. It will provide a positive momentum for the country’s economic recovery and move it closer to an eventual debt relief, which in turn should further encourage Sudan to continue the implementation of necessary economic reforms. The EU remains committed to supporting Sudan’s reform efforts as well as aspirations for debt relief.”

-EU  Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

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.  Political observers say Sudan was officially taken out of terrorist list today as it prepares to implement a peace deal with Israel.   The  Trump administrations’ action came after a 45-day Congressional review period following President Trump’s announcement of his intention to remove Sudan from the list, which was quickly followed by the announcement that Israel and Sudan intend to normalize relations.  Trump is working fast to make the Israel –  Sudan peace deal reality before his time in office is up next month ahead of the new Biden administration.   However, the  Sudanese civilian government is reportedly resisting U.S. pressure to normalize relations with Israel, and instead prefers to delaying any agreement until elections in 2022.