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AFP
Washington
US President Barack Obama took the controversial step of easing some economic sanctions against Sudan Friday, trying to improve relations with a country whose leader is accused of war crimes and past links to terror.
Obama informed Congress that he will lift trade and investment sanctions against Khartoum, although Sudan will still be designated a state sponsor of terrorism.
The outgoing president noted"a marked reduction in offensive military activity, culminating in a pledge to maintain a cessation of hostilities in conflict areas in Sudan."
He also recognized"steps toward the improvement of humanitarian access throughout Sudan, as well as cooperation with the United States on addressing regional conflicts and the threat of terrorism."
Sudan was labelled a state sponsor of terrorism in 1993 and has been subject to a US trade embargo since 1997 over its support for Islamist groups.
Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was based in Khartoum from 1992 to 1996. The US government believes those ties have ebbed, but sanctions have remained amid the government's scorched earth tactics against ethnic minority rebels in Darfur.
According to the United Nations, 300,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million were displaced since that conflict began in 2003. The country's long-time leader President Omar al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court for War Crimes. Obama's announcement prompted outrage from rights groups.
The measures mean that Sudanese assets will be unblocked and business transactions will now be permitted.
Sudan welcomed the US decision to lift some economic sanctions against Khartoum, saying it was a"positive and important" development in relations with Washington.
