US rescinds Sudan’s terror sponsor designation, but hurdles remain
The announcement was celebrated in Sudan, but Khartoum is still laden under huge debt and is not yet immune to terror lawsuits in US courts.
The United States has rescinded its designation of Sudan’s government as a state sponsor of terror, the State Department announced on Monday, following months of negotiations with the Trump administration that culminated in Sudanese leaders expressing openness to recognizing Israel in October.
Monday’s announcement, which was met with high hopes in Sudan, will further open the country’s path to international investment and development after decades of economic mismanagement and international isolation.
Still, obstacles remain before Sudanese officials’ bilateral agreement with the Trump administration can be completed and before Khartoum can qualify for debt relief from the International Monetary Fund.
The US government designated Sudan a state sponsor of terror in 1993. The regime of former dictator Omar al-Bashir, who was overthrown following popular protests last year, once harbored Abu Nidal, Carlos the Jackal and Osama bin Laden.
