U.S. permanently lifts trade sanctions on Sudan

Oct. 7 (UPI) -- The United States permanently lifted trade sanctions against Sudan on Friday, the State Department announced.

Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert released a statement declaring the revocation of the economic sanctions against the North African country will be effective Oct. 12.

The department said the sanctions were removed in recognition of the government of Sudan's "sustained positive actions to maintain a cessation of hostilities in conflict areas in Sudan, improve humanitarian access throughout Sudan, and maintain cooperation with the United States on addressing regional conflicts and the threat of terrorism."

"The Government of Sudan's actions during the last nine months show that it is serious about cooperating with the United States and has taken significant steps to stop conflict and improve humanitarian access within Sudan, and to promote regional stability," the State Department said.

The decision came as the result of a 16-month diplomatic effort to make progress with Sudan in those areas.

It also follows the Donald Trump administration's decision to make Sudan the only country that was removed from the list of nations subject to travel restrictions in Trump's updated travel ban in September.

The sanctions against Sudan were temporarily lifted for six months by President Barack Obama's administration in January. Obama's administration cited the same positive actions by the Sudanese government.

President Trump extended the review for three months in July, before lifting the sanctions permanently on Friday.

As part of the deal to end the sanctions, U.S. officials said they secured a commitment that Sudan would not engage in weapons trade with North Korea.