Arab Parliament calls on US to remove Sudan from terror list

Arab Parliament speaker, Mishaal Al-Salami, yesterday revealed a plan by the assembly to encourage the United States to remove Sudan from its “State Sponsors of Terrorism” list.

Speaking at a joint press conference with the Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Osama Faysal, Al-Salami said that the plan will be presented during the parliament’s next session which will be held on 4 July in the Egyptian capital of Cairo.

“The plan is not confidential and will be implemented in partnership with the African Union,” Al-Salami added.

He pointed out that a delegation from the parliament will visit the US “soon” to discuss the plan.

Read: US official discusses preparation of second phase of dialogue with Sudan

On his part, Faysal praised the Arab plan describing it as a “sincere Arab initiative to support the Sudan”.

“We informed the Arab Parliament of the notable efforts exerted by various Sudanese institutions to lift Khartoum from the list [US terror list] and the number of discussions that are currently taking place between the Sudan and the US on this matter,” the Sudanese minister noted.

On 6 October 2017, the US President Donald Trump lifted long-standing trade embargo against Sudan but kept the African country on the American list of state sponsors of terrorism.

As a result, Sudan continues to face a ban on international weapons sales as well as restrictions on US aid.