Friday, October 6, 2017

US Lifts Majority of Sudan Sanctions

In one of the few continuations of Obama-era policy, the Trump administration is removing more sanctions against Sudan.  The sanctions started two decades ago in response to Sudan's hiding of wanted criminals, including Osama bin Laden.  Barack Obama began the repeal of sanctions because of Sudan's improvements in terms of human rights and counter-terrorism efforts.  Sudan will still be considered a State Sponsor of Terror, and President Omar al-Bashir is still an international criminal wanted by the World Court, but the lifting of sanctions may ease the path towards re-integration of Sudan into the diplomatic system.

The Sudanese government has eagerly awaited the sanctions' removal.  It will be interesting to see if the lifting of these sanctions will force economic reform, as the Khartoum government won't be able to blame foreigners for its own economic mismanagement and corruption.

Steven Grant Weber

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