The Obama administration is considering a reconciliation with Sudan, a country long designated a state sponsor of terror and whose current leader has been indicted on war crimes charges. While significant policy changes toward Sudan are not likely to happen soon, the State Department on Tuesday welcomed Sudan's cooperation in fighting Islamist militants. The statement, apparently not prompted by any specific development, said Sudan in recent months had taken "important steps" to take on Daesh and other such organizations. It added that the US would work with Sudan on security matters, while pressing it on human rights and democracy as well.
The statement said, "Sudan's continued cooperation will bolster international efforts to combat terrorism in the broader region. Subject to and consistent with U.S. law, we will work cooperatively with the government of Sudan on counterterrorism to enhance the security of both our countries. While countering terrorism is an important objective for the United States, we continue to engage the government of Sudan on protecting human rights, resolving internal conflicts, addressing humanitarian needs, improving regional stability, and advancing political freedoms, accountability and reconciliation."
State Department spokesman John Kirby said the United States still has serious concerns about Sudanese policies, notably with unrest in Darfur, but that normalizing relations is not out of the question. Kirby said the US would begin the process of rescinding the terror-sponsor designation only if Sudan meets certain criteria, which include renouncing terror and not supporting extremist groups for six months.