It's high time for Sudan to be re-integrated in the international financial system

Mubarak Mahgoub Musa

Perhaps both the most telling and strongest statement made by Sudan’s Prime Minister in his joint press conference, with the visiting German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Khartoum on the 27^th of February 2020, was that Sudan as rich country, with unlimited untapped resources, wouldn’t actually need grants or charity, but rather needs instead to build effective win-win economic and trade partnerships with all friendly countries. Indeed, Sudan only needs to be redeemed of external fetters and restrictions that have been for long, curbing and putting down its ability to fully exploiting its potential as an awaited world food basket.

The deepening grip of economic crisis, might partly explain the motivation behind, the rising albeit muffled roars of dissatisfaction and even betrayal, amidst relatively a large proportions of the Sudanese people toward the American Administration. A natural corollary to Washington’s hitherto lukewarm and at times elusive positions, with regard to the situation in Sudan, ever since the toppling and ousting of Omar Al-Bashir's regime.

Washington's lion’s share in the said public discontent and criticism is mainly due to the perceived dichotomy between US as a symbol of freedom and democracy, and what increasingly looks like a systematic policy of “mobile agenda” that continue - without restraint - to increasingly shape its policy toward the Sudan, in complete disregard for the sacrifices made by the Sudanese people, yearning for freedom and democracy.

Paradoxically, the relatively long-awaited bilateral normalization in the post Al-Bashir era in Sudan, simply turned into peeling away of onions; borrowing the same analogy that was recently used by Tibor Nagay the U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs in Khartoum , describing the uphill task of Sudan's to achieve the desired normalization with Washington; stalemate spawns yet another stalemate, shattering sine die, Sudanese people's legitimate dream of escaping once and for all, the stigma of terrorism in one hand, and joining on the other hand, the ranks of modern democratic states that participate in the development o f of universal civilization.

Perhaps another important area of betrayal and ingratitude, is the unwarranted disregard for the great roles Sudan has been playing, in addressing issues of illegal migration and human trafficking in its regional and national setting, together with hosting for decades, millions of refugees from neighboring countries, in an inherent generosity that stems from the people's cultural heritage, sharing with them its meager resources in adversities and most difficult times, devoid of any arrogance or injury.

In fact, one of the major manifestations of the current economic crisis today, stems from the fact that Sudanese subsidized goods, like flour, gas and fuel, continue to find their way, sneaking over the vast borders, to end up in local markets in many neighboring countries. Sudan has been destined for a quite long time, to feed its neighbors even during crisis and hard times. Therefore, the world must always be concerned on odds of Sudan’s decline to the precipice of failure and collapse.

Eminent dignitaries like António Guterres, United Nations secretary-general was earlier in pinpointing the importance of lifting Sudan out of the morass of the food, fuel, financial and economic crises and bringing Sudan back to the path of development. To that effect, let’s recall here that the Secretary General, at a press conference on the sidelines of the 74th session of the General Assembly in New York, urged on Washington, to quickly end both sanctions and the designation of Sudan as a country that supports terrorism, warning at the same time, that any disregard for the transformation in the Sudan, jeopardizes the made gains in democracy, human rights, and political solutions in the Sudan.

Heading in the same direction, a reputable journal of opinion like Foreign Policy magazine, in its December 2019’s edition, warned that the US designation of Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism continues to unnecessarily place an enormous economic and political burden on a government that works to lead Sudan to democracy.

The global magazine haven’t forgotten to call to mind that the Government of Sudan has - paradoxically enough - continued to pursue counter-terrorism operations alongside regional partners, including operations, to counter threats targeting the interests of the United States and American personnel in Sudan. Correspondingly Sudan should by no means fit into the category .

On the other hand, concurrently with severe economic crisis, Sudan is currently passing through ( the acute shortage of basic commodities, especially bread and fuel) reactions have varied in Khartoum press, vis-a-vis the very timing, feasibility and usefulness of the letter of confirmation, received couple of days ago, by the Sudan’s Central Bank, from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury, confirming the end of all forms of economic sanctions on Sudan which was issued by the former Obama's administration in 2017.

Many economic analysts come to almost similar conclusion; the said letter merely serves in stating what is obvious and only something on paper. Taking into account that Sudan's economic crisis is caused - in the first place- by unjustifiable presence of the Sudan in the American SST. Of course, it should not be the only reason; however, the notorious SST remains the mother of all evils in Sudan’s current economic predicaments; causing international and regional financial institutions and foreign investors alike, to fear and panic dealing with Sudan.

The systematic reluctance and panic in dealing financially with Sudan can better be understood within the context, of the record fine of almost $9 billion on BNP Paribas in 2014, for simply violating U.S. sanctions against Sudan and other two countries. Arguably the exaggerated punishment was meant to send - per se - a clear and indelible message to other financial institutions around the world. Correspondingly, lip services and isolated statements here and there, by American officials, are not sufficient enough to dispel such outstanding fears; Washington needs to go extra mile, if it is truly earnest in this regard.

Interestingly, and since tree is known by its fruit, Washington could easily pass a simple litmus test of credibility; Explicitly instruct local banks in the United States, to help and enable thousands of American Sudanese citizens, currently living in the United States, who hitherto continue to find it extremely difficult if not impossible, to transfer their personal remittances for the benefit of their respective families and loved-ones in Sudan. Doesn’t charity starts at home? It should have been more appropriate, for the American banks, to pick up the gauntlet and abide by the respective (OFAC) laws and regulations, before expecting foreign bands to follow suit?

Contrary to the serious attempts made by several U.S. senior officials in recent months, many of their European counterparts, who commented on the situations in the Sudan, came to see eye to eye with the Sudan; in cherishing no confusion of what so ever, vis-à-vis, the direct relationship between, the chances of Sudan's re-integration into the world banking system on one hand and its designation in the SST on the other. Several European dignitaries in countries closely allied to the US, including France, Germany and Italy, have added their respective voice, in calling upon Washington - in different occasions- to remove Sudan off the SST list, at the very least to ensure the success of the transitional period in the Sudan.

The Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Emanuel C. Del Re, for instance stressed in Khartoum last Tuesday, the importance of this step - more than any before -in enabling Sudan to normalize its relations with the international financial institutions and reintegrating into the international system. She further indicated Italy’s readiness lead a special campaign to accelerate the delisting and lifting the US sanctions.

On his part, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in his historic two-day visit to Sudan last week, indicated his country’s commitment to work with Friends of Sudan Group "to remove barriers to cooperation with international financial institutions and remove Sudan from the sanctions lists that continue to prevent German companies from cooperating with it"

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier likewise, urged the international community to enable Sudan to gain access to the international financial institutions, reminding the world’s conscience that the officials leading the transitional government today - to say the least- are not responsible for the problems caused by the previous regime.

Likewise, in an extension of such supportive positions, the regular meeting the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) held on 30 January has noted with concern that the continuation of listing of Sudan by the U.S. of Sudan as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, continues to negatively affect the political, economic and security transition of Sudan.

Only yesterday, the African Union announced, through its chief commissioner, Mr. Musa Faki, the launching of a campaign at all levels, especially with donors and friendly countries, to remove Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Such statements were very timely, in reinforcing similar convictions made by Sudanese officials in different occasions; in September 2019, shortly after taking office, as prime minister, and during a joint press conference with the visiting German Foreign Minister Heikou Maas, Dr. Hamdok indicated that all efforts to muster Sudan’s latent energies to increase production and create a suitable environment for investment and investors , were regretfully destined to collide with a solid rock of the SST and its associated sanctions.

By the same token, couple of days ago, Sudan's Transitional sovereignty Council’s member Dr. Siddiq Taur, in a meeting with political parties in south Kordofan, expressly confirmed that the main obstacle in the current economic crisis, is caused by the US attitude, in a reference to Sudan's continuous presence in the US infamous list, albeit sacrifices and all positive transformation.

Every cloud has a silver lining; the ongoing exchanged of high level visits, between Sudan and some important Western capitals in the aftermath of December revolution, have started to bring about some tangible results and opened up inter alia new horizons for the Sudanese economy. EU has already announced a package of assistances to Sudan, focusing primarily on support to economic reforms, economic opportunities for youth and women, and the peace process and democratic governance.

Perhaps most importantly among which, is granting Sudan the opportunity to take the full advantage of the system of trade preferences offered by the European Union to developing and less-developed countries, in what is known as the ‘Initiative of Everything Except Arms’ whereby Sudanese products and exports to European markets would enter with zero tariffs and free quotas.

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Similarly, in Germany’s ongoing efforts to open up with Sudan, and in anticipation of the first visit of Sudan’s Prime Minister Dr, Hamdok and his subsequent meeting with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel last February, the German parliament initiated a courageous and historic steps to lift the ban and sanctions placed on Sudan since 1989, and to resume development, technical, political and financial cooperation between the two countries.

Post Al-Bashir’s Sudan has been heavily counting on reaping the immediate benefits of the normalization with Washington, to break its foreign isolation and ease its recurring stifling economic crisis. At the end of the day, they say hope is a renewable option: if you run out of it at the end of the day, you get to start over in the morning. Such hope could also be enhanced by news arising today, that the Foreign Affairs Committee in the American Congress, has presented a new law on Sudan, in which it requested the American administration to submit a new strategy, in support of the civilian led transitional government.

To that effect and at the backdrop of the official invitation rendered to the Sudanese Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdul Fattah Al-Burhan to Washington shortly, let us keep our hands crossed, that the forthcoming visit comes out with yet more concrete understanding. which paves the way for Sudan out of the recurring economic and political bottleneck. Sudanese people deserve better in life.