The United States will remove Sudan from its State Sponsors of Terrorism list after the government in Khartoum paid compensation to victims of attacks.
President Donald Trump on Monday announced the decision, which had been formally discussed between the US and Sudan since 2018, after several months of intensified negotiations by the White House.
“New government of Sudan, which is making great progress, agreed to pay $335 MILLION to U.S. terror victims and families,” President Trump tweeted. “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!”
Shortly after Trump’s Twitter post, Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok thanked Trump and said Sudanese authorities were looking forward to his “official notification to Congress rescinding the designation of Sudan as a state-sponsor of terrorism, which has cost Sudan too much.”
The removal from the list has been a top priority for Sudan’s transitional government which has been in power since August last year following the military removal of longtime President Omar al-Bashir in the face of months-long protests against his rule. It clears the way for the impoverished African country to get the international loans and aid that are essential for reviving its battered economy.
The deal could also set in motion steps by Sudan toward establishing diplomatic relations with Israel, following similar US-brokered moves in recent weeks by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
The US Congress would need to approve the removal after being formally notified by the president.
Only three countries — Iran, North Korea and Syria — remain on the US State Department’s list of state sponsors of terrorism.