US lifts trade, investment sanctions on Sudan

The United States recently lifted its trade and investment sanctions on Sudan, saying the country had reached certain benchmarks and made sufficient gains in addressing issues identified six months ago.

Under a comprehensive engagement plan, the Sudanese government agreed to work toward ceasing offensive military operations, ending its destabilizing role in South Sudan, improving humanitarian access, ending the threat of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and countering terrorist groups.

The State Department said the lifting of sanctions is not permanent but can become so in another six months if Sudan meets certain goals.

“This is being done through a combination of actions, including immediate action by the Department of the Treasury to authorize expanded trade with and investment in Sudan, and the issuance by the president of an executive order that provides Sudan with a clear path to the permanent revocation of sanctions in six months if progress in these five areas continues," the agency said.