The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the executive order to restrict entry of Sudanese citizens to the USA and summoned the American Chargé d'Affaires to Khartoum on Thursday.
Chargé d’Affaires Steven Koutsis was informed by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Abdelghani El Naeem that the executive order does not comply with the great cooperation being shown by Sudan in the combating of terrorism.
El Naeem told Koutsis that Sudan awaits its removal from the American list of countries that sponsor terrorism, and that Sudan looks forward for a partnership with the United States in peace, security and development by benefiting from the privileges in the two countries for the mutual interest.
Koutsis pledged to convey this message to the government of his country. As of 16 March Sudan is included in a new travel ban on Muslim-majority countries Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen. President Donald Trump said this week that Sudan still harbours elements linked to terrorist groups.
The Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry on Thursday called on the USA administration to reconsider its inclusion of Sudan among the countries which are barred from entrance.
El Naeem affirmed that Sudan will continue to cooperate as a partner of the USA in the combating terrorism and realization of security and peace at both the regional and international levels.
Koutsis said he was satisfied with the statements of the Undersecretary on Sudan’s continuation of the cooperation between the two countries in countering terrorism and on issues of regional peace, development and security.
Renewed travel ban
Early February the US Embassy in Khartoum still resumed processing existing visa applications and scheduling appointments for new ones, in response to a US Federal Court Order effectively suspending the travel ban for Muslim-majority countries, after El Naeem conveyed his government’s resentment regarding the decision of President Trump to theUS Chargé d'Affaires.