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Sudan Tribune

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US eases North Sudan trade regulations

By Toby Collins

October 17, 2011 (LONDON) – The US Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on 12 October announced the liberalisation of regulations imposed upon US companies exporting food products to Sudan and Iran.

North Sudan, subject to trade embargoes, is still economically reliant upon agriculture (Reuters)
North Sudan, subject to trade embargoes, is still economically reliant upon agriculture (Reuters)
Previously, companies operating in Sudan had to operate on one year contracts.

Now, dependent on certain stipulations; such as non-involvement with military enterprises, US companies can freely sell covered food products to both countries on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.

Sudan and Iran are joined on the list by Cuba and Syria as countries which “have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism.” Placement on the list results in a country having restricted trade with the US.

However, an easing of pressure at a time of such diplomatic tension, particularly between the US and Iran, appears to be less a move towards a normalisation of relations, rather a pragmatic streamlining of regulation.

On 11 October an alleged, foiled Iranian plot to assassinate a Saudi diplomat led to a ratcheting up of US rhetoric and the secretary of state, Hilary Clinton to call upon other countries to impose harsh sanctions on Iran.

There have been suggestions that the US plans to offer an easing of trade sanctions and increased aid as incentive for reduced hostilities in Blue Nile and South Kordofan states, where Khartoum’s forces are at war with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement northern sector.

Khartoum was keen to point out that the US has a history of reneging on such promises.

The price of food products in Sudan, as part of a wider economic downturn, have contributed to recent protests on the streets of Khartoum.

With the secession of South Sudan in July, Sudan lost the majority of its oilfields and therefore a large proportion of its income. In conjunction with a global recession, the Sudanese economy is in a state of decline.

(ST)

7 Comments

  • mohammed ali
    mohammed ali

    US eases North Sudan trade regulations
    The United States wants to trade and do business for it’s own interest. The on-going financial crises will dictate the politics of the US.Vlus and morals are just words of mouth.

    Reply
  • kimo
    kimo

    US eases North Sudan trade regulations
    this is meant to help southern sudan which is undergoing severe food shortage

    Reply
  • Adam
    Adam

    US eases North Sudan trade regulations
    This is good to all countries. Sanctions do nothing to regimes. It only makes people suffer.

    Adam Milawaki, Kansas City

    Reply
  • Konan
    Konan

    US eases North Sudan trade regulations
    RoSS is on the brink of full-scale starvation and collapse. USA wants to help Juba at the expenses of Khartoum. Our Govt. should reject American decision. Actually we have enough food and we are not in need of them. If their intention is genuine they should lift their embargo and sanctions once and for all.

    Reply
  • silk Kottora
    silk Kottora

    US eases North Sudan trade regulations
    As Sudanese oridinary people we higly welcome this new US trade policy toward Sudan. Sanctions are not good idea particulary when they are relevant to basic needs of humanbeings. It is better to use the carrot at this time so that the regime should not be driven to the status of Macbeth in Shakeaspeare’s ” Macbeth”

    Thank you for US for this step.

    Silk Bin Kottoraa
    Khatoum

    Reply
  • silk Kottora
    silk Kottora

    US eases North Sudan trade regulations
    Mr konan,

    I think you are either outside sudan or you are one of those who are living in Ivory towers in the Sudan. Although it should not be seen as a complain, there are many people who can not afford to get the simplest basic needs. The people are really suffering in all aspects of life, but never complaining!!!

    Reply
  • twins
    twins

    US eases North Sudan trade regulations
    “The Sudanese economic is in the state of decline.”

    I am only worry about Blue Nile, Nuba Mountan but not about Darfurian. In the life, there is a time to suffer and a time to not suffer. The state of Blue Nile and Nuba Moutan should not suffer again after they already endured those dark days with us. If there is any way to help them, please let’s do that. The only way to for them to come to S.

    Reply
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