Trump urged not to impose travel ban on Sudan next week

January 25, 2020 Newsbeat, Sudan, USA

The United States President, Donald J. Trump (Photo: Supplied)

January 25th, 2020 (SSNN)—Four members of the Democratic Party are urging the Trump administration not to impose a fresh travel ban on the Republic of Sudan, citing that the move will run counter to the ongoing bilateral relations between the United States and Sudan.

“We are deeply concerned by reports that your administration is expected to formally announce the addition of Sudan to its travel ban next week. The United States recently took meaningful steps to strengthen the U.S.-Sudan bilateral relationship and this would send the wrong message at this critical time in Sudan’s transition to a civilian-led government,” the US officials said in a letter addressed to U.S. President Donald Trump.

“We urge you to take Sudan off the list as it will negatively impact Sudan’s path toward democracy and peace.”

Last week, the Trump administration announced that plans are underway to expand the travel ban that would affect seven other countries, including Sudan.

The four members of the Democratic Party, currently in Khartoum on an official visit, believe that the new travel ban, if imposed, could have a negative impact on the new Sudanese government.

“Following the ouster of the Omar al-Bashir regime, Sudan has made significant progress toward a more inclusive and representative government. We are currently on a Congressional Delegation in Sudan and have been encouraged by meetings with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Minister of Justice, and civil society.”

During their visit to Khartoum, the officials noted that they were able to realize a number of milestones that the new Sudanese government had taken to ensure the country’s return to democratic path, and abolish autocratic policies employed by the former regime under ex-Sudanese President, Omar Hassan al-Bashir.

“In each of these meetings we learned about the many steps the transitional government has taken to break with the policies and practices of the previous regime and plans being put into place for additional reforms. While we recognize that this is a work in progress, Sudan has taken important steps to combat terrorism and to prevent the movement of bad actors. Additional travel restrictions from Sudan would send the wrong message to the Sudanese government, to the Sudanese people, and to the rest of the world. We encourage the administration to continue supporting Sudan on its path toward democracy and pence.”