Riyadh– Sudan’s President Omar Hassan al-Bashir announced his country’s agreement to continue to communicate positively with US government in the coming period in response to a request made by the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to a statement issued, both Saudi Arabia and Sudan stressed the importance of combating and financing terrorism and extremism as it is the greatest threat to peaceful societies around the world. They also affirmed their commitment to all international resolutions in this regard.
The president also thanked the Kingdom’s leadership for their efforts to improve relations between Sudan and US.
“In this context and in response to a request by the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, President al-Bashir agreed to continue to communicate positively with the government and the official organs of the United States in the coming period for the final lifting of sanctions imposed on Sudan as well as lifting the name of Sudan from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism and resolve all problems existing between the two countries,” according to the statement published by Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Al-Bashir praised the relations between his country and Saudi Arabia as distinct and strong. He expressed his appreciation for the Kingdom’s efforts in serving Muslims and thanking them for their continued support for Sudan in all fields.
Meanwhile, a Sudanese official told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the talks held between President al-Bashir and Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday focused on Saudi Arabia’s support to lifting sanctions imposed on Sudan.
The official also said that the talks between Saudi King and Sudanese President discussed the US sanctions on Sudan and Saudi support to the country. The sanctions’ freeze has been postponed few months.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed al-Jubeir announced that the Kingdom is working with Sudan to lift sanctions imposed on Sudan and lift Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
He stated that the talks between the two leaders were fruitful and dealt with issues of the region, bilateral relations and confronting the scourge of terrorism and extremism. He pointed out that a large Sudanese community resides in the Kingdom and contributes to the development of the country and is appreciated in the Kingdom.
“The two countries are also key partners in the Islamic alliance to confront terrorism and extremism, and partners in the coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen, and the two countries are partners in working to counter terrorism and extremism,” said Jubeir during a joint press conference with his Sudanese counterpart Ibrahim Ghandour.
He expressed the Kingdom’s appreciation for Sudan’s positive positions which are supportive of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stressing that this is not surprising between two brotherly countries.
FM Jubeir expressed his country’s belief that Sudan has achieved significant progress to reach the lifting of these sanctions.
He also added that Saudi Arabia will continue to coordinate with Sudan and others in the region to find a solution to this situation so that Sudan can return to its normal state and focus on development, economy, and prosperity.
For his part, Sudanese FM Ibrahim Ghandour expressed thanks and appreciation to the leadership of the Kingdom and its people for what they offer to Muslims all over the world and to Sudan.
Ghandour said that these efforts are appreciated by the Sudanese leadership and the Sudanese people, who have a special love and appreciation for the Kingdom and its leadership.
Ghandour told the press that he held talks with FM Jubeir that discussed bilateral relations, and it was agreed to continue the dialogue in Khartoum, Sudan.
Meanwhile, Sudanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Badawi al-Sanosi told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that his country has fulfilled all US conditions and requirements which conditioned the lift-off the sanctions.
He added that Sudan had executed the five tracks which include maintaining regional ceasefires, enhancing counter-terrorism cooperation, and improving humanitarian access.
Sanosi stressed that his country is in no way linked to Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni confirms.
In mid-January, US administration of former President Barack Obama announced an easing of the two-decades-long sanctions to see Khartoum’s commitment to a five-track deal.
In a January 2017 report, the US Department of State said Sudan had made “significant progress” in each of the five areas in the period leading up to Obama’s partial lifting of sanctions.
The State Department delayed a decision on sanctions until October when the three-month extension is set to end.
Sudan is on the US list of a state sponsor of terrorism since 1993.