Sudan welcomes US remarks on anti-terrorism cooperation

Khartoum
By Mohammed Amin

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AA) - Sudan’s foreign minister Ibrahim Ghandour Thursday has welcomed the U.S. country report on terrorism despite the fact that Sudan remains among the list of countries sponsoring terrorism

Ghnadour said it included positive remarks about Sudan.

The U.S. State Department on Wednesday released its 2016 Country Reports on Terrorism.

‘’Sudan was designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism in 1993 due to concerns about support to international terrorist groups," the report read. "Notwithstanding this history, countering terrorism is today a national security priority for Sudan, and Sudan is a cooperative partner of the United States on counterterrorism, despite its continued presence on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List."

It pointed out that Sudan has exerted wide efforts in pursuing Daesh fighters in the region.

‘’During the past year, the Government of Sudan continued to pursue counterterrorism operations alongside regional partners, including operations to directly counter threats to U.S. interests and personnel in Sudan. Sudan takes seriously the threat posed by ISIS [Daesh], and in September 2016, the U.S. government acknowledged the Government of Sudan’s significant efforts to counter ISIS and other terrorist groups and to prevent their movement into and through Sudan,’’ it said.

‘’There were no reported terrorist attacks in Sudan in 2016. There also were no indications that the Sudanese government tolerated or assisted terrorist organizations within its borders in 2016’’ it added. .

According to the report Sudan also halted the support it has previously provided to the Palestinian movement of Hamas.

"Reports indicate that the Government of Sudan ceased providing Hamas any direct support as they did in years past,’’ it stated.

Talking to the reporters upon his arrival with President Omar al-Bashir from Saudi Arabia on Thursday, Sudan's top diplomat commended the U.S. remarks, saying they were positive signs towards the permanent lifting of sanctions next October.

“It’s the first time after more than 20 years that such clear remarks [are issued], ensuring that Sudan is not supporting terrorism at all,’’ he said.

Sudan has accepted a Saudi mediation to resume talks with the U.S. administration over sanctions, a few days after the freeze of the negotiations as the Trump administration decided to delay the lifting of the two decades sanctions.