Why did the United States lift sanctions on Sudan?

On October 6, the U.S. State Department announced that in view of the "continued positive actions" taken by the Sudanese government in multiple aspects, the United States decided to lift economic sanctions on Sudan. The Sudanese government issued a statement welcoming the U.S. government’s decision to lift economic sanctions on Sudan. On October 7, the Sudanese government stated that it looked forward to actively cooperating with the US government to achieve the comprehensive normalization of relations between the two countries.

The U.S. State Department announced on October 6 that it would lift 20-year-old economic sanctions on Sudan starting on the 12th of this month. The statement said that in view of Sudan's commitment to reducing military activities in domestic conflict areas, improving domestic humanitarian access, and cooperating with the United States on counter-terrorism, regional conflicts and other issues, the United States decided to lift sanctions against the Sudan and encourage the Sudanese government to positive behavior. The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately issued a statement, welcoming the US government's decision, saying that the US move means important and positive progress in Soviet-US relations.

After the sanctions are abolished, the United States will lift the trade embargo against the Soviet Union, Sudan’s assets in the United States will also be “unfrozen”, and American companies and individuals will be allowed to participate in cooperation with the Soviet Union in energy and other fields again. Analysts say that with the lifting of financial restrictions, Sudan will return to the international financial system, which will help it attract external investment, expand foreign trade, and improve economic conditions.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Nauert said in a statement that the United States made this decision because in the past nine months, the Sudanese government has been maintaining the ceasefire agreement in the country’s conflict areas and strengthening humanitarian efforts. "Important measures have been taken" in terms of access and cooperation with the United States on regional and counter-terrorism issues. But she also said the government still needs to make more progress to achieve "comprehensive and sustained" peace in Sudan. The United States will take further measures to improve relations with Sudan, but the prerequisite for the normalization of relations between the two countries is that the Sudanese government must "make sustained progress."

The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the same day: "The Sudanese government very much welcomes this decision of the US government and regards it as a major positive performance in the history of the development of Soviet-US relations. This decision is also a strategic move between the two countries. The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that the Sudanese government will continue to work with the United States government on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern. We must work together on all issues, do our best to maintain international peace and security, and combat all forms of terrorism, illegal immigration and human trafficking.