Sudan, US discuss lifting sanctions

Sudan’s defence minister met with the United States military attaché yesterday to discuss next month’s expected decision by the US on whether to lift the economic sanctions imposed on Khartoum, the official Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported.

According to SUNA, Defence Minister Awad Ibn Ouf’s discussions with the military attaché to Khartoum, Jorn Pung, focused on the progress made by Sudan on a five-point action plan to lift the economic embargo early next month.

Read: Sudan: The case for and against lifting economic sanctions

In January 2017, the American administration announced plans to reverse its position on Sudan and lift trade sanctions imposed for almost 20 years. In return, Sudan agreed a plan which required it to improve access for humanitarian aid groups, stop supporting rebels in neighbouring South Sudan, cease bombing rebel-held areas and cooperate with American intelligence agents.

Sudan’s Armed Forces (SAF) spokesperson, Ahmed Khalifa Al-Shami, said the two sides “discussed issues of common interest and Sudan’s efforts and its commitment to Sudanese-American dialogue on various issues and the prospects for joint cooperation.”

Earlier this year, American officials said Sudan had already shown important progress on a number of these fronts but imposed a six month review clause to the executive order signed by the former US President Obama, before leaving office. The order stated that if Sudan failed to live up to its commitments, the embargo could be reinstated.

Several agencies, including the US Department of Defence, have to present their findings on Khartoum’s commitment to the agreement to President Donald Trump by the end of June – ahead of the decision in July.