US President Donald Trump signalled Sudan would be removed from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism if it pays compensation of $335 million to American terror victims and their families.
The move would open for Sudan to receive much needed international loans and aid to revive its battered economy.
Sudan has been listed since 1993 when al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden lived in the country as a guest of the government.
The compensation relates to the victims of the 1998 bombing of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, attacks conducted by Bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network while he was living in Sudan which killed more than 200 people.
“ GREAT news! New government of Sudan, which is making great progress, agreed to pay $335 MILLION to U.S. terror victims and families. Once deposited, I will lift Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. At long last, JUSTICE for the American people and BIG step for Sudan!,” announced Trump on Twitter.
Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, who took office this year, welcomed the announcement.
The move could also help Sudan’s transition to democracy. Last year a popular uprising led to the military overthrow of autocratic Omar al-Bashir.
The country is now ruled by a military-civilian government with election possible in late 2022.
