Obama to ease Sudan sanctions on way out
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is set to ease sanctions against Sudan and broaden now limited talks with the long estranged African government, a U.S.-designated terrorism sponsor whose leader has been indicted on war crimes charges, The Associated Press learned Thursday.
The change in policy is a response to positive actions by the Sudanese government in fighting terrorism, reducing conflict, denying safe haven to South Sudanese rebels and improving humanitarian access to people in need, three officials told the AP.
The White House is expected to announce an easing of sanctions on Friday as part of a five-track engagement process, said the officials, who weren’t authorized to speak publicly on the matter and demanded anonymity.
They said the administration will keep in place the broad set of economic and financial sanctions Sudan faces as a result of its “state sponsor of terrorism” designation. The penalties being suspended by the policy change could be re-imposed if Sudan backtracks on the progress it has made, they added.