U.S. officials have said on Thursday that Washington is prepared to permanently lift sanctions on Sudan, bringing the African nation closer to the international community after decades of isolation, war and abuses, The Washington Post reports.
According to the report, Washington will complete a process that former President Barack Obama started in January, when he temporarily lifted the sanctions. The Trump administration will assert that Sudan has continued making progress on several areas of concern, officials said.
The U.S. has been calling on Sudan to expand humanitarian access, improve human rights, cooperate on counter-terrorism and reinforce a cease-fire in conflict areas, AP adds.
However, human rights groups have disputed the notion that Sudan has put its history of abuses behind it, while opposition groups have also argued that lifting the sanctions would strengthen Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on genocide charges linked to the Darfur conflict.
The sanctions decision permanently ends a U.S. economic embargo on Sudan, removing longstanding restrictions on trade and financial transactions. The decision will also allow business with oil and gas industries in Sudan, such as pipelines and oil field services, to resume.
However, AP writes that Sudan is expected to stay on the State Department’s list of state sponsors of terrorism, until a separate review determines whether it can be removed.
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