US Treasury: Removing Sudan from Terror List a Matter of Time

Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing in the US Department of the Treasury Marshall Billingslea speaks during a news conference in Riga, Latvia May 16, 2019. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins
Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing in the US Department of the Treasury Marshall Billingslea speaks during a news conference in Riga, Latvia May 16, 2019. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins
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US Treasury: Removing Sudan from Terror List a Matter of Time

Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing in the US Department of the Treasury Marshall Billingslea speaks during a news conference in Riga, Latvia May 16, 2019. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins
Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing in the US Department of the Treasury Marshall Billingslea speaks during a news conference in Riga, Latvia May 16, 2019. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

The US Treasury Department has said that removing Sudan from a list of state sponsors of terrorism is only a matter of time, a statement from Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s office said Sunday.

Hamdok held talks with a delegation from the US Treasury in Khartoum.

The statement said the PM stressed that the US is a strategic partner, and reiterated the keenness of Sudan’s transitional authorities to achieve comprehensive peace and improve the country’s economic situation.

Marshall Billingslea, the US Treasury’s Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing, told Hamdok that removing Sudan from the terrorism list is a matter of time, said the statement.

Sudanese Foreign Minister Asma Abdalla also urged the US delegation to remove Sudan from the list to enable it to deal with funding institutions and help it make financial transfers.

The Treasury delegation's visit came as foreign affairs committee leaders at the US Congress introduced legislation to support Sudan’s democratic transition.

Representatives Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Michael McCaul, the Committee’s Ranking Member; Karen Bass, Chairperson of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations; and Chris Smith, the Subcommittee’s Ranking Member, introduced legislation to help foster a successful democratic transition in Sudan.

The Sudan Democratic Transition, Accountability, and Financial Transparency Act of 2020 (H.R.6094) would support a civilian-led democratic transition, promote accountability for human-rights abuses, and encourage fiscal transparency in Sudan.



Defying US Pressure, Iraqi Factions Insist on Passing PMF Law

PMF leader and his chief of staff Abu Fadak Al-Mohammedawi. (PMF media)
PMF leader and his chief of staff Abu Fadak Al-Mohammedawi. (PMF media)
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Defying US Pressure, Iraqi Factions Insist on Passing PMF Law

PMF leader and his chief of staff Abu Fadak Al-Mohammedawi. (PMF media)
PMF leader and his chief of staff Abu Fadak Al-Mohammedawi. (PMF media)

Iran-aligned Iraqi factions slammed the United States following its rejection of a law on the legalization of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held telephone talks on Wednesday with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to express his concern about the law.

A State Department statement said Rubio "reiterated serious US concerns with the Popular Mobilization Commission (PMC) bill currently pending in the Council of Representatives (COR), emphasizing that any such legislation would institutionalize Iranian influence and armed terrorist groups undermining Iraq’s sovereignty."

The Iraqi factions responded to Rubio’s remarks by reiterating demands for the US to pull out its troops from the country.

Head of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq faction and a leading member of the pro-Iran Coordination Framework Qais al-Khazali condemned the "flagrant American meddling in Iraqi affairs, which goes beyond diplomatic violations, but is a clear attack on national sovereignty and the essence of the democratic process that the West has long boasted about."

"Preventing the parliament from carrying out its legislative role, under American pressure, obstructs state institutions and is a form of political blackmail, which is unacceptable," he went on to say.

Kazali, who also leads an armed branch of the Coordination Framework, warned that succumbing to the US pressure is tantamount to abandoning national decision-making power and the will of the people.

Remaining silent over the issue will also "officially lead to the death of democracy in Iraq," he claimed.

The security official of the Kataib Hezbollah, known as "Abou Ali al-Askari", said Sudani is obligated to fulfill the agreement with the armed factions about the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

In a post on X, he noted that two months remain until its implementation and that the PM is obligated to ensure the withdrawal of the troops from Baghdad airport and the Ain al-Asad base.

"We have given the prime minister enough opportunity to commit to the agreement (...) the factions will have something to say about this," he added without elaborating.

Washington and Baghdad agreed in September 2024 on ending the mission of the anti-ISIS international coalition in Iraq within 12 months.

Meanwhile, the Coordination Framework did not make an official comment about Washington’s rejection of the PMF legislation, but it held a meeting to discuss the telephone call between Sudani and Rubio.

In a brief statement, it condemned the recent drone attacks on oil facilities in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Local media reported on an "American message, which was presented at the Coordination Framework meeting, and that warned that Iraq will suffer severe consequences should it approve the PMF legislation."

"Sponsors of the draft-law are jeopardizing their country’s sovereignty in favor of Iranian influence, warned the message," they added.

The message has not been verified.

MP Majid Shankali told local media that the parliament will not convene to discuss the PMF law, citing the American pressure.

The US will not allow this law to pass, he stated, warning that it may impose gradual sanctions if it is.