UAE expresses support for US decision to remove Sudan from terrorism listing

Bahrain also welcomed the move to take Sudan off the US blacklist after 27 years

Sudan Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok addresses a crowd celebrating the first anniversary of the start of the uprising that toppled long-time ruler Omar Al Bashir. Reuters

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation expressed support for the US decision to remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

The ministry said it backed moves that "contribute to strengthening Sudan's security, stability and prosperity".

The Bahraini foreign ministry also welcomed the decision, calling it a positive step.

Sudanese Foreign Minister Omer Qamar Al Din said the country's removal from the US blacklist was "the first step for Sudan's return to the international community".
On Monday, US President Donald Trump announced that the US would remove Sudan from the list after the country follows through on its agreement to pay $335 million to compensate American victims of terrorism and their families.

On Tuesday, Sudan's Central Bank governor Mohamed Zainelabidine said it transferred the funds.

Mr Trump has not given details about when his administration will notify Congress of its decision to take Sudan off the list.

Sudan was added to the list in 1993 after former ruler Omar Al Bashir's government sheltered Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and terrorist groups.

The  country was also implicated in Al Qaeda bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, and in the bombing of the USS Cole in 2000 in a Yemeni port.

The compensation will be paid to the American victims of those attacks and their families.

Sudan's removal from the terror list will allow the country to access economic relief, which it desperately needs.

The country is struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic and the effects of severe floods that killed at least 100 people and destroyed the livelihoods of thousands.

The crisis intensified in the 18 months since Al Bashir was removed from office by his generals during a wave of protests against his 29-year rule.

Acting finance minister Hiba Ali said Sudan needed to accelerate the adjustment of its foreign exchange rate as part of a package to tackle the country’s economic crisis.

Ms Ali did not give details but the Sudanese pound, the value of which has been steadily falling against the dollar for months, regained some ground against the dollar after Mr Trump’s announcement.

Once removed from the terrorism list, Sudan will be allowed to negotiate with its creditors for relief or restructuring of its $60 billion foreign debt.

It can also be readmitted to the international banking system from which it was cut off as a result of US sanctions.