Thursday 20 July 017, the US state Department gladly welcomed a decision made by Khartoum to continue its participation in a joint committee over the permanent revocation of economic sanctions.
It is remembered that July 11, US sanctions against Sudan expired. Sudan expected US to on Wednesday 12 July lift the sanctions permanently, unfortunately, the Trump administration extended the decision for three months ahead.
The Trump administration explained the reason for the extension of the sanction lift decision, saying that they needed more time to determine whether the Sudan government had made enough progress after decades of war and isolation.
In response to the delay, Sudan’s President Omer Al Bashir also had decided to suspend the participation of his governmentin the joint committee until 12 October, the scheduled date for the upcoming decision.
However, following Mr. Bashir’s visit to Riyadh on Tuesday 18 July, where he met with the Saudi King, Salman, and the Crown Prince Mohammed Ibn Salman.
In a joint communique, Mr. Bashir agreed to a Saudi request to continue the joint meetings with the US official agencies for the permanent lift of the economic embargo.
“ The United States welcomes the recent announcements by the governments of Sudan and Saudi Arabia underscoring Sudan’s commitment to sustain positive dialogue with the US and to continue collective efforts to fight terrorism,” said the State Department in a statement, on Thursday.
At this point, Washington praised Khartoum’s cooperation on the counterterrorism and reiterated its commitment to the five tracks framework.
Saudi Arabia made a pledge to not stop its efforts to convince the President of America, Donald Trump, to repeal Sudan’s sanctions.
The two countries have three months to address their points before October 12, when America will make the final decision regarding the Sudan sanctions.
Correspondent: Shamilah Namuddu
