U.S. poised to lift Sudan sanctions

The United States is poised to permanently lift sanctions on Sudan, U.S. officials said Thursday, recognizing the longestranged country’s progress on human rights and counterterrorism after decades of war and abuses.

The Trump administration will complete a process that former President Barack Obama started in January, when he temporarily lifted the penalties. An announcement is expected as early as today, the officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because Congress has yet to be notified.

In justifying the decision, the administration will assert that the African nation 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, co-operate on counter-terrorism and reinforce a cease-fire in conflict areas.

The move follows a lengthy lobbying campaign by Israel and Saudi Arabia to bring Sudan further into the global fold. Both of those close U.S. allies have sought to encourage Sudan’s recent moves away from their mutual rival: Iran. The sanctions decision permanently ends a United States economic embargo on Sudan, removing longstanding restrictions on trade and financial transactions.