Web Alert: US extends Sudan sanctions review period by three months

On 11 July 2017, President Trump postponed for three months a decision on whether to permanently lift sanctions against Sudan.

Just before leaving public office, President Obama issued Executive Order 13761, which temporarily lifted sanctions against Sudan. Temporary sanctions relief took effect with immediate effect and this was due to become permanent on 12 July 2017.

The US Department of State has said that they will revoke sanctions at the end of this three month period if the government of Sudan is assessed to have made sufficient positive actions across all areas listed in E.O. 13761.

In the meantime, the temporary sanctions relief granted under the general license issued by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, which became effective on 17 January 2017 remains in place. This broadly authorises U.S. persons to process transactions involving persons in Sudan, engage in imports to and from Sudan and engage in transactions involving property in which the government of Sudan has an interest.