TALKING POINT : Lifting of Sudan sanctions is a step in the right direction

What you need to know:

  • I expressed the wish that the economic and diplomatic embargo be lifted to relieve Khartoum from the pains of an economy disconnected from the global financial markets. Less than one month after I urged removal of the sanctions, that has partly been done. And, as they say: half-a-loaf is better than no bread.

The last time I was in Sudan-Khartoum to speak on pan-Africanism and the need for a more stable, just and integrated African continent, I strongly registered my agony over United States and United Nations sanctions against the Sudan Republic.

I expressed the wish that the economic and diplomatic embargo be lifted to relieve Khartoum from the pains of an economy disconnected from the global financial markets. Less than one month after I urged removal of the sanctions, that has partly been done. And, as they say: half-a-loaf is better than no bread.

The sanctions, which were imposed on Sudan by the US in 1997, were abrogated on October 6, 2017, and, for one reason or another, I see much reporting from the West on this than the case should be.

President Donald Trump’s administration announced earlier this month that the US-imposed sanctions were being lifted immediately.

According to the State Department’s spokesperson, Heather Nauert, the decision to rescind the sanctions came after Sudan’s sustained progress and actions on some important global imperatives, two among them being cooperation in the fight against global terrorism, and positive developments in handling internal issues relating to democratic governance – especially in Darfur’s Al-Fashir and South Kordofan.

For over 20 years, the US classified Sudan as a sponsor of terrorism, alongside Iran and, more recently, Syria. I join the rest of mankind in celebrating the lifting of the sanctions – and hope for more such positive action to further free Sudan from the shackles of inhumanity.

Lifting the sanctions was long overdue. It was expected that implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Accord leading to the birth of South Sudan in 2011 would result in “releasing” Sudan from the sanctions. Although Sudan played its part – letting the South secede – the US didn’t, keeping the sanctions firmly in place.

No-doubt Sudan’s economy was severely stressed during two decades of sanctions. Very briefly, the sanctions package included assorted measures, including ones that prevented free inflows of foreign currencies into Khartoum.

Another was a trade embargo that was intended to ensure that Sudan could not export anything to the major US-aligned markets worldwide. This was a major blow, considering that many global markets are part and parcel of the (US) dollar economy.

Furthermore, Sudan’s assets in the US and elsewhere in much of the West were frozen – along with assorted financial restrictions imposed on the former oil giant.

So, the decision to abrogate the sanctions must come as a great relief in Khartoum.

Already, I’m aware that banks have started receiving forex from across the world. According Sudan’s central bank, it was only a matter of days following rescission of the sanctions before banks in Khartoum started receiving dollars, pounds and euros, among other foreign currencies. Before that, Sudan was forex-strapped, and could hardly access foreign currencies.

To access hard currency, Khartoum had to go about it the hard way to get it somehow, somewhere, somewhat – and on whatever terms.

Whenever I visited Khartoum, I sympathized with the administration. I have been to Sudan on various missions, including to observe national elections; to monitor national dialogue processes – and, more recently: to discuss peace and anti-terrorism in Africa. This latter was on the sidelines of the annual meetings of the chiefs and heads of the Intelligence and Security Services in Africa.

Removal of the sanctions affords Africa some lessons. First: sanctions are not a good thing at all. Africa must avoid/reject them at all cost.

Second: Sudan’s relief from sanctions means that it can now readily access global financial markets and tap existing potentials for foreign direct investments.

However, it may be worthy allaying fears that Sudan is yet to be expunged from the blacklists and bad books of the world. After all, the US still retains Sudan on its list of state sponsors of global terrorism.

The country is also under UN sanctions for alleged violations of human rights during the Darfur conflict.

Indeed, Sudan, Iran and Syria are still under an embargo on armaments – in which case they are not eligible for US aid. Sudan is not quite looking up to the US for official development aid (ODA) – which limits its potentials.

Today, the Sudanese require special arrangements to enter the United Kingdom – and must then register with the British police.

I suggest that such restrictions – as well as the outstanding arrest warrants from the Hague-based International Criminal Court against prominent Sudanese, including President Omar Hassan al-Bashir (pictured) – must be addressed and sorted out sooner than later.

Doing so would give Sudan the breathing space and freedom it needs to embark on a recovery path. The country cannot be freed by one actor – and kept captive by others on the same allegations.

Deus Kibamba is trained in Political Science, International Politics and International Law