Why in news?
Recently U.S. delisted Sudan from its state sponsored of terrorism list after a big price-recognising the state of Israel.
Why Sudan was in state sponsored of terrorism list?
- Earlier the country’s military regime had the backing of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Hamas and Hezbollah which are terrorist organisations.
- Until 1996, it was harbouring Osama bin Laden who the mastermind behind terrorist attacks in the United States.
What are the factors behind delisting?
- In 2019, there was popular uprising which overthrowed 30-year-long dictatorship of Omar Hassan al-Bashir.
- Now the country is in democratic transition & is expected to lead to general elections in 2022.
- After 23 years in 2019, there was exchange of ambassadors between US & Sudan.
- US also eased economic sanctions on Sudan & its president directly intervened in the West Asian peace process.
- Sudan provided a compensation amount of $335 million for the victims of the 1998 Al Qaeda attacks on U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
- Last month Sudan's transitional government signed a peace agreement with several militant groups to end country’s civil war.
How was the existing relation between Sudan & Israel?
- After the 1967 Six-Day war, relations between the countries worsened.
- In the Sudan hosted Arab League, it passed 3 resolutions against Israel.
- It refused to recognise, negotiate peace deal with Israel.
- It also refused open embassy in Israel.
- After US delisting, Sudan announced it will normalise relations with Israel.
What are the advantages of delisting?
- After oil reserves seceded in 2011, it suffered a great loss.
- COVID-19 pandemic & worst floods further lead to food shortages, skyrocketing inflation, and severe unemployment.
- This delisting will provide Sudan crucial access to global financial institutions, resume dollar-denominated transactions & revive foreign investment after three decades.
- However there is also concern behind the US delisting.
- Sudan’s military might refuse to hand over the former dictator-Mr. Bashir to the International Criminal Court for investigations of genocide and war crimes.
- Hence Sudan has to assert its national sovereignty which is integral to the country’s democracy.
Source: The Hindu
