A state supporter of terrorism identification stressed Sudan’s economy and limited its ability to gain support.
The United States Congress has passed a bill that seeks to substantially renew Sudan’s legal protections, days after the country was formally removed from the former U.S. list. supporting terrorism (SST).
However, the legislation, passed Monday, introduces an exemption that will allow a lawsuit filed by the families of victims of the September 11 attacks that have already begun in the courts of USA moving on.
A state supporter announcing terrorism, which had been in place for nearly three decades, had put pressure on Sudan’s economy and its ability to seek aid. For investors, repositioning sovereign protection removes another layer of financial risk.
Sudan had been in talks with the U.S. for months, and paid a $ 335m settlement negotiated to the victims of the 1998 al-Qaeda attacks on U.S. embassies in East Africa that received much higher damages by U.S. courts.
The Sudanese shares in a major bill include a past coronavirus stimulus package raising $ 150m for natural citizens in U.S. embassy bombing.
It also includes $ 700m in economic support for Sudan, with $ 600m going to a World Bank-backed government program called the Family Assistance Program and $ 100m to USAID for humanitarian aid in the country. .
Another $ 120m has been set aside for Sudan’s debt restructuring and $ 110m for debt relief.
Renewing Sudan’s legal protections opens up opportunities for foreign businesses to invest in Sudan, which is in dire need of a country experiencing economic turmoil with its currency in a downward spiral and rising inflation. it affects the living standards of many families.
“Sudan is finally open for business,” Jalelah Sophia Ahmed, a Sudanese-American and co-chair of the Sudanese Policy Network group that has been lobbying the U.S. Congress on Sudan-related issues, told Al Jazeera.
“Currently, with the sanctions in place and the RSS specification, companies could be held accountable for doing business with Sudan. With legal peace granted, we will see business come to Sudan and invest in Sudan. That would create employment, reduce inflation. “
However, according to some Sudanese officials who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity, Sudan’s legal peace legislation falls short of what the government wanted – full protection.
“The Sudanese Government would like to point out here that the original version submitted to the US Congress is the cancellation of all cases registered against Sudan under the Terrorism Act and the cases that have been was brought against the Sudanese move in the events of 11 September 2001 – which began to be filed against Sudan since 2003 – to comply with the Justice against Terrorists (JASTA) Act, ”according to a ministry statement Sudan justice.
“But this case met strongly with two grandparents, led by complaints from the lawyers of the families of 11 victims. The now agreed legislation has ruled that these cases will continue in accordance with the Terrorism Act, not JASTA law, as requested by Sudan. “
The bill will now go to the White House for President Donald Trump to sign.
Once official, Ahmed says Sudan will be able to focus on other issues on which the transition government must work.
“The economy will open in a way that allows individuals to thrive,” she said.
“Then we can work on other issues that matter, issues like transition justice.”