WASHINGTON, Dec 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States and Sudan will send ambassadors to each other’s countries for the first time in more than two decades.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok made the announcement during Hamdok’s visit to Washington.
It has been 23 years since the two countries exchanged ambassadors. The US closed its embassy in Khartoum in 1996, citing terrorism concerns.
The US reopened the embassy in 2002, but it has been led by a chargé d’affaires – the term used for a diplomat who heads an embassy in the absence of the ambassador.
The US and Sudanese representatives tweeted about that they are both happy with the step:
Pleased to announce that the United States and #Sudan have decided to initiate the process to exchange ambassadors for the first time in 23 years. This is a historic step to strengthen our bilateral relationship.
Solidifying international relations is a very important milestone in any country’s path to development. After 23 years, it is great to finally witness the initiation of the process of exchange of Ambassadors between Sudan & USA. This is a concrete step towards rebuilding Sudan.
During his visit to Washington, Hamdok has been seeking US support for the transitional government.
Earlier this week Sudanese elites signed an open letter asking US President Donald Trump to remove Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.
The letter said Sudan should not be held responsible for the actions of the regime of ex-President Omar al-Bashir who was forced out of power earlier this year following a popular uprising. — NNN-AGENCIES
