U.S. keeps Sudan tied to sanctions

President Donald Trump’s administration is giving itself until October to decide whether to permanently lift sanctions on Sudan.

Just before leaving office, former President Barack Obama temporarily lifted sanctions on Sudan in a move that was to become permanent today if it wasn’t reversed by Trump. The Obama administration justified lifting the 1990s-era sanctions by citing improved counterterrorism efforts and other progress in Sudan.

Rights advocates and opposition groups have said the move will strengthen President Omar alBashir, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on genocide charges linked to conflict in the Darfur region, and do much to bring his government back into the international fold after decades of isolation, war and abuses.

State Department spokesman Heather Nauert said Sudan has made significant progress. But she said Trump’s executive order is needed to give the administration more time to determine whether there’s been enough progress to lift the sanctions permanently.