The US envoy pledges to help Sudan get rid of the blacklist of terrorism

The first US envoy to Sudan promised Wednesday to work with Khartoum in his efforts to be removed from Washington's "blacklist" of terrorism while he welcomed the African country's decision to sever ties with North Korea. defense firms gave up contracts with North Korea, recognizing for the first time the existence of contracts with North Korea strongly sanctioned.

Washington has intensified its pressure on Sudan in recent months to cut all ties with Pyongyang.

I promise you that this embbady will work with all its energy and attention to create the necessary conditions for removing Sudan from the list.

"North Korea is a top national security priority for the United States," Khartoum US Affairs Commissioner Steven Koutsis said in remarks on the occasion. from the celebration of 4 July at the Embbady of the Sudanese capital

. We would like to acknowledge our appreciation for the steps taken by Sudan and all our allies and partners around the world in supporting our diplomatic and economic pressure on the North Korean regime. "

The United States lifted the trade embargo in October, but kept Khartoum in its list of" sponsors of terrorism "with Iran, Syria, and North Korea.

Sudan's economy hit by sanctions

Sudanese authorities say international banks are reluctant to do business The Sudanese economy has been hit hard by inflation, the external debt is high of more than 50 billions of dollars and the loss of oil revenues since the split of the north south in 2011.

Officials say that the withdrawal of Khartoum from Washington's blacklist will prompt international financiers to consider investing in Sudan.

"Many challenges remain. Koutsis said at the ceremony, which was attended by Sudanese officials and foreign diplomats: "But I can not deny that as long as Sudan remains on the list of states supporting terrorism, these challenges will be more difficult to overcome. "

" I promise you that this embbady will work with all its energy and attention to create the conditions for Sudan's withdrawal from the list. "

Washington imposed sanctions in 1997 on the alleged support of Khartoum to militant Islamist groups

Osama bin Laden, founder of al-Qaeda, lived in Sudan between 1992 and 1996.

After decades of tense diplomatic relations, relations between Washington and Khartoum have improved under the presidency of Barack Obama Donald Trump last year

AFP