As we previously reported, ( click here to view the article) , on January 13 of this year President Obama issued Executive Order 13761 (E.O. 13671), which resulted in issuance of a license authorizing all transactions prohibited under the US-Sudan sanctions regime.
E.O. 13671 also provided that the US would revoke its Sudan sanctions altogether on July 12, 2017, provided that the State Department publishes a report by that date stating that the Government of Sudan (GOS) has sustained the positive actions that gave rise to issuance of the license, including maintaining a cessation of hostilities in conflict areas in Sudan, improving humanitarian access throughout Sudan, and maintaining its cooperation with the US on addressing regional conflicts and the threat of terrorism.
President Trump has now issued an executive order extending the State Department's review period for three month, until October 12, 2017.
According to a related State Department press statement:
It appears that this action arises not from particular concerns with the GOS, but rather because the State Department was simply unable to complete its review in the time originally allotted. Indeed, the State Department press statement noted:
Thus, albeit delayed, it appears that the planned revocation of the US-Sudan sanctions remains in the offing.
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