Bashir ousting does not spell immediate end to US Sudan terror listing

The United States ‘will not remove Sudan from the state sponsor of terrorism list until the country’s leadership and policies change and the military no longer holds power.’ So writes Reuters, which reports being told by a State Department official: ‘We will be willing to look at removing Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism if there is significant change in the country’s leadership and policies.’

Most US sanctions against Sudan were lifted in October 2017, but the country has failed to improve economically since then and has seen rampant inflation. Earlier this month, peaceful civilian protests escalated, and a military takeover was quickly followed by the resignation of Omar Al-Bashir, ruler of Sudan since 1989. He is reported to have been moved from house arrest to Khobar prison in Khartoum.

In a State Department press briefing, 11 April, deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino said:

‘The United States strongly supports a peaceful and democratic Sudan. As events unfold, the United States continues to call on transitional authorities to exercise restraint and to allow space for civilian participation within the government. We commend the people of Sudan for their resiliency and their commitment to nonviolence as they express their legitimate demand for inclusive and representative government that respects and protects human rights.’