This archive report was first published on 6 December 2019.
On Thursday, Sudan's new civilian Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok made a historic visit to Washington, where he expressed hope for progress in removing his country from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Hamdok, who took office in August after decades of military rule, is the first Sudanese leader to visit Washington since 1985.
During his visit, Hamdok met with US officials and lawmakers, who voiced support for his government's reforms and peace initiatives.
However, the US still classifies Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism, a designation that has hindered investment and debt relief efforts.
"Over the last two to three days here in Washington, the elephant in the room is the issue of the delisting of Sudan from the state sponsors of terrorism," Hamdok said at the Atlantic Council, a think tank.
Hamdok emphasized that the blacklist has had a significant impact on investment, debt relief, and Sudan's efforts to open up to the world.
US officials noted that removal from the list is a legal process that requires a formal review over a six-month period.
Lawmakers who met with Hamdok stressed that Sudan must reach a settlement with families of the victims of the 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, as well as the USS Cole in 2000.
