SUDAN INSIGHT ALERT: Guardian - Sudan will never prosper while it is on the US terrorism blacklist
Sudan expert Alex de Waal, and former African Union officials El-Ghassim Wane and Abdul Mohammed, warn that the US would be directly responsible for the failure of Hamdok’s civilian administration unless it lifts Sudan’s state sponsor of terrorism designation.
With the designation ensuring prohibiting business in Sudan without a permit from the US Treasury, the writers note that the designation enables illicit businesses – especially those linked to the “deep state” and security forces - to thrive and monopolise the Sudanese economy.
Therefore, the writers liken the US conditions that Hamdok fulfil reform promises before removing Sudan’s terror designation to “sending a boxer into the ring with one hand tied behind his back, telling him: ‘If you can knock out the other guy, then we will untie your hand.’”