Sudan removed from US terror blacklist, Pompeo hopes to build 'stronger relationship'

United States on Monday, December 14 officially excluded Sudan from country's list of terror sponsors. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo anunced that Sudan's designation as "State Sponsor of Terrorism" has been revoked, marking a new beginning of bilateral relationship between Washington and Khartoum. Sudan was ded to list in 1993 and has been removed after a 45-day Congressional review following US President Donald Trump's anuncement that country would be removed from list.

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Trump's anuncement came after Sudan agreed to pay $335 million in compensation to families of victims of 1998 US embassy bombings. Sudan's ousted President Omar al-Bashir and his government are accused of harbouring several militants from region and elsewhere, including dreed Osama bin Len, who was most-wanted in US and was killed in 2011 by US Forces. Bashir's government is also believed to have helped Iran in supplying arms and ammunition to militants in Gaza Strip, which again prevented US from removing country from list. 

"This achievement was me possible by efforts of Sudan’s civilian-led transitional government to chart a bold new course away from legacy of Bashir regime and, in particular, to meet statutory and policy criteria for rescission. We commend calls of Sudanese people for freedom, peace, and justice, and we congratulate members of civilian-led transitional government for ir cour in vancing aspirations of citizens y serve," State Department said in a statement. 

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Sudan to rmalise ties with Israel?

move to remove Sudan from list is also believed to have come after Khartoum agreed to establish formal relations with Israel. Trump ministration has been trying hard to broker peace between several Islamic countries and Israel, and on some part, it has been successful. US government recently brokered peace between Israel-UAE and Bahrain and is reportedly in talks with Saudi Arabia and Qatar regarding same.

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As far as terror sponsors' list is concerned, re are currently three countries that are on US' list of state sponsors of terrorism, including Iran, rth Korea, and Syria, while Pakistan has been listed as a "safe haven" for terrorists by State Department. 

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