US eyes rapprochement with Sudan in nod to allies
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this Oct. 29, 2015 file photo, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir speaks in New Delhi, India. The Obama administration, which has negotiated new relationships with states like Cuba, Iran and Myanmar, is now eyeing a rapprochement with Sudan, a nation that has long been designated a state sponsor of terrorism and whose current leader has been indicted on war crimes charges. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File) (The Associated Press)
The Obama administration is eyeing a rapprochement with Sudan, a nation long designated a state sponsor of terrorism. The country's leader has been indicted on war crimes charges.
While significant changes in U.S. policy toward Sudan are not likely to happen soon, the State Department on Tuesday welcomed Khartoum's counter-terrorism cooperation. The statement said Sudan in recent months had taken "important steps" to take on the Islamic State group and other extremist organizations. It added that the U.S. would work with Sudan on security matters while continuing to press it on human rights and democracy issues.
The statement came amid a push from U.S. allies like Saudi Arabia and Israel that have urged Washington to end its treatment of Sudan as a pariah.