Trump closes border for Sudanese citizens

On Friday, Donald Trump, the new US president, closed the nation’s borders to refugees from around the world, temporarily suspending immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries, among them Sudan, linked to concerns about terrorism.

In an executive order Trump said was part of an extreme vetting plan to keep out “radical Islamic terrorists,” he also established a religious test for refugees from Muslim nations. Christians and others from minority religions should be granted priority over Muslims.

The order suspends the entry of refugees into the United States for 120 days, and directs officials to determine additional screening “to ensure that those approved for refugee admission do not pose a threat to the security and welfare of the United States”.

The order also stops the admission of refugees from Syria indefinitely, and bars entry into the USA for 90 days to Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia.

“We want to ensure that we are not admitting into our country the very threats our soldiers are fighting overseas. We only want to admit those into our country who will support our country, and love deeply our people,” Trump said during the signing ceremony at the Pentagon.

Sanctions

The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the government regrets the decision that coincides with the recent “historic move” by President Barack Obama to ease the US trade and economic sanctions imposed on Sudan.

In early January, the USA ordered the easing of financial sanctions against Sudan in recognition of what the Obama administration said its positive actions in countering terrorism. The US branding of Sudan, since 1993, as a state sponsor of terrorism remains. 2006 saw the imposition of additional American sanctions against Al Bashir's government, because of the human rights violations in Darfur.

FA Spokesman Gariballah Khidir pointed that Trump’s decision comes as companies and businessmen from both nations are getting ready to resume contacts and launch new trade and investment projects.

He stated that the US decision to ease the economic sanctions was an outcome of a long joint dialogue between the two countries in the various domains particularly the fight against terrorism..

The statement demanded the immediate lifting of Sudan’s name from the list of the US states sponsors of terror following Washington’s acknowledgement of Khartoum’s cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

(Sources: New York Times, Sudan Tribune)