AU calls for lifting of U.S. sanctions on Sudan

   ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 10 --The African Union (AU) on Monday called on the U.S. to lift decades old sanctions on Sudan.
   "We remain very concerned about the very difficult economic situation in Sudan and we reiterate the necessity of lifting all sanctions on Sudan including the U.S list on state sponsors of terrorism," Smail Chergui, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security.
   Chergui made the remarks on the sidelines of the 33rd ordinary session of the assembly of the heads of state and government of the AU being held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
   Chergui said the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Sudan is critically important for the African country to access finance from international financial organizations.
   The AU Commissioner for Peace and Security noted an optimistic note recent dialogue between U.S and Sudanese officials could lead to the lifting of sanctions on Sudan.
   "We welcome the ongoing dialogue between the U.S. government and Sudan and we hope this issue is brought to an end very quickly," Chergui further said.
   The United States has been imposing sanctions on Sudan since 1993.
   Although, the U.S. relaxed some sanctions on Sudan in 2017, the African country remains on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism.
   A ban on arms-related exports and sales, prohibitions on economic assistance, imposition of miscellaneous financial and other restrictions including loans from the World Bank and other international financial institutions are among the sanctions which the United States imposes on countries on the list. Xinhua