US, Sudan resume military ties after 24-year hiatus

By Mohammed Amin

KHARTOUM (AA) - The U.S. and Sudan on Thursday announced the resumption of military relations following more than two decades of suspension.

“We consider this the real beginning of military cooperation between our two states,” Sudan’s newly-appointed defense attaché to the U.S., Abuzar Dafa Allah, told reporters.

“We are setting a future vision with a view to improving relations in the interests of both nations,” he added.

For his part, U.S. Defense Attaché to Khartoum Jorn Pung described his recent appointment as a “new page” in U.S.-Sudanese relations.

He went on to note that he had recently discussed a range of issues related to the two countries’ bilateral relations with the Sudanese army chief-of-staff.

Washington suspended its military relations with Khartoum in 1993 after labeling Sudan a “state sponsor of terrorism”.

Four years later, Sudan was slapped with a U.S. trade embargo due to its alleged support for extremist groups.

In January of this year, Washington lifted economic sanctions on Sudan, in return for which Khartoum promised to cooperate with the U.S. on counter-terrorism; support the peace process in South Sudan; and carry out a number of political reforms.

Earlier this month, however, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order banning entry into the U.S. from six majority-Muslims nations -- including Sudan -- for a 90-day period.

According to the executive order, Sudan continues to harbor “terrorist elements”, including some linked to Al-Qaeda and the Daesh terrorist group.