President Donald Trump has disclosed that Sudan would be removed from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.
He however said the removal will be on the condition that the African country pays $335 million to compensate American terror victims and their families.
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 19, 2020
It would be recalled that Sudan made the US list of state sponsors of terrorism in 1993 when al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden lived in the country as a guest of the government.
The compensation is for victims and families of American citizens who lost their lives during the 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
The attacks were said to be coordinated by Bin Laden’s al-Queda network while he was still living in the African country.
No fewer than 200 people reportedly lost their lives in the attacks while many others sustained injuries of varying degrees.
Meanwhile, Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has taken to Twitter to welcome the idea.
الشكرُ الجزيل للرئيس ترمب على تطلعه إلى إلغاء تصنيف السودان كدولة راعية للإرهاب، وهو تصنيف كلف السودان وأضر به ضرراً بالغاً. إننا نتطلع كثيراً إلى إخطاره الرسمي للكونغرس بذلك. https://t.co/GeScTPfb0k
— Abdalla Hamdok (@SudanPMHamdok) October 19, 2020
The move to remove Sudan From US Terror list comes just two weeks ahead of the US presidential election.
It could help expedite Sudan’s transition to democracy as the country run by a military-civilian government has high hopes for possible elections in late 2022, following the military overthrow of autocratic leader, Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
The move also comes at a time that the Trump administration is working to ensure that other Arab countries including Sudan, joins the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain’s recent recognition of Israel.
