Sudan Govt. ‘deeply regrets’ new US travel ban

The Sudanese government on Tuesday expressed “deep regret and discontent” over President Donald Trump’s revised travel ban barring its citizens from entering the USA.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Gharib Allah Khidir expressed “discontent and deep regret” over Trump’s decision, saying it comes despite Khartoum’s cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

Trump included Sudan in a new travel ban on six Muslim-majority countries, including Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Yemen and Sudan, on Monday. He said that Sudan still harbours elements linked to terrorist groups.

The revised decision bans refugee admissions and new visas for citizens of the countries: it suspends refugee admissions for 120 days and halts new visas for travellers.

Khidir: “Sudan has shown a high degree of seriousness and credibility during the five-tracks talks [with the USA] in the past months. These talks proved that Sudan plays an important and vital role as a partner in the fight against terrorism which endangers people of both countries and of the world,” read the statement.

He pointed to Sudan’s pivotal role in “laying foundations of regional and international peace and security”, stressing that terrorism is not confined to “a specific religion or a particular race”.

The Foreign Ministry further urged the US administration to review its decision, saying “Sudanese citizens have never been involved in any crimes or terrorism in the United States”.

Ease of sanctions

Last January, former President Barack Obama ordered to ease the 19-year economic and trade sanctions on Sudan. Next June, several US administration agencies will decide to confirm the decision of Obama to permanently lift sanctions on Sudan or to maintain it.

The East African nation does remain on the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, as it has been since 1993.

(Sudan Tribune)