Sanction relief tops Sudanese wish list for discussions with US congressional delegation
Today, a US congressional delegation begins its three-day visit to Sudan.
The party aims to improve relations and exchange ideas on common political, economic and security interests. Topping the agenda of Sudanese Prime Minister Bakri Hassan Salih will be overturning his country’s status as a state that sponsors terrorism.
Included on America’s infamous list since 1993, Sudanese officials claim they have now made significant progress in combatting terrorism and that the country cannot take advantage of international development aid or debt relief until this status changes.
Having already lifted a range of sanctions related to the Darfur conflict, the Trump administration has indicated it would reconsider based on further improvements to human rights in Sudan. However, removing Sudan from the list would likely reduce the US’ leverage over Khartoum on said issues.
As such, it remains unclear exactly how much closer the nations are to normalising relations.
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