Diplomatic Briefing: Hamdok at UN General Assembly, Growing Support For Sudan's Removal From US Terror List

Overview

Prime Minister Hamdok went to the UN General Assembly to rally the international community to support Sudan, particularly for Sudan’s removal from the US designation of Sudan as a sponsor of terrorism,

This briefing will outline what Hamdok said, and how key players in the international community have reacted to Hamdok's calls for support.

For reference, Sudanese finance minister Ibrahim Badawi said that Sudan’s removal from the US terrorism list may take 9 months to a year “because it is tied to Congress.” (Reuters, 23 September).

Hamdok’s speech

In Hamdok's speech, he said that Sudan aims to transform its foreign policy, uphold international justice norms and address the economic, ethnic, cultural and religious root causes of its civil wars. (UN, 27 September).

In a message to the US President Donald Trump administration, Hamdok called for the US to differentiate between Sudanese people and the al-Bashir regime, emphasising that the Sudanese people “were never a sponsor or supporter of terrorism.” Hamdok argued that Sudanese people are suffering “the sins of [Omar al-Bashir’s] regime that they were its first victim of, and [became] the main actor of its overthrow.” (Sudan Tribune, 28 September).

Global support for Sudan’s economic recovery

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (UN, 27 September) called for the world to support Sudan by removing its designation as a terror sponsor, lifting economic sanctions and mobilising massive financial support for development. In addition, Guterres expressed confidence that under Hamdok’s leadership, Sudan’s transitional government will "strengthen governance and the rule of law, uphold human rights, and set the country on a path towards economic recovery.”

France has proposed a conference to help Sudan address its debt issues, although it will be put on hold until the US lifts the sanctions imposed on Sudan. (Reuters, 30 September).

Reactions in the USA

However, an anonymous European diplomat has told Reuters (27 September) that the US is not ready to de-list Sudan as a sponsor of terrorism because “[the US] still think that today’s Sudan must pay for the crimes of yesterday’s Sudan.”

While the US State Department has the finally say on Sudan’s de-listing as a sponsor of terrorism, progress is being made in terms of US-Sudan cooperation. Sudan Tribune (27 September ) reported that the US Treasury Department wants to work with Sudan on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing.

Further positive signs for Hamdok is the proliferation of calls to delist Sudan in the US media. First, Cameron Hudson of the Atlantic Council (Foreign Policy, 25 September) warned that the removal of sanctions will be necessary to prevent the military in Sudan from gaining and keeping power. Hudson called for the international community to support Sudan’s new leadership and empower the new generation of moderate voices by helping to reform “crumbling” Sudanese institutions, re-establish development assistance and creating a pathway for retiring Sudan’s debt.

On a similar note, Rebecca Hamilton, an associate professor at American University Washington College of Law, also noted the continuation of Omar al-Bashir’s deep state, suggesting that delisting Sudan would be the economic lifeline needed for Sudan’s democratic transition to survive. (Washington Post, 30 September).