The United States and Sudan governments plan to boost diplomatic relations by exchanging ambassadors for the first time in more than two decades, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed on Wednesday, reported Reuters.
The announcement comes amid Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s first visit to Washington on Wednesday.
“This decision is a meaningful step forward in strengthening the U.S.-Sudan bilateral relationship, particularly as the civilian-led transitional government works to implement the vast reforms,” Pompeo said in a statement.
The two countries will be exchanging ambassadors after a long gap of 23-years.
Relations between Washington and Khartoum have improved since the overthrow of former President Omar al-Bashir in April and the formation of a civilian transitional government in August. Hamdok is currently leading a transitional power-sharing government with the military.
“This decision is a meaningful step forward in strengthening the U.S.-Sudan bilateral relationship, particularly as the civilian-led transitional government works to implement the vast reforms under the political agreement and constitutional declaration of August 17, 2019,” the U.S. Secretary of State said in a statement as he hailed Hamdok’s efforts.
During his Washington visit, the Sudanese prime minister met with David Hale, the U.S. State Department undersecretary for political affairs, and discussed strengthening ties between the United States and Sudan.
“After a 23-year interruption, it is great to see the start of the ambassadors exchange operation between Sudan and the United States of America. This is an important step towards rebuilding Sudan,” Hamdok wrote Twitter after the meeting.
The US government hailed steps taken by Hamdok to break with the policies and practices of the previous regime, which had tense relations with the West. But a major cause of concern for Sudan is that it still remains on the US list of State Sponsors of Terrorism (SST), a designation that Sudanese leaders say hinders efforts to revive the economy.
