Washington - The United States and Sudan are restoring
diplomatic relations after 23 years, with US Secretary of State Mike
Pompeo announcing the countries will exchange ambassadors.
"This is a historic step to strengthen our bilateral relationship,"
Pompeo said.
The move comes in the wake of the overthrow of long-time Sudanese
strongman Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted from office in a coup in
April after 30 years as president. Al-Bashir was also accused of war
crimes.
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok met US Treasury Secretary
Steven Mnuchin on Tuesday.
"Their discussion focused on Sudan's economic reform agenda and the
importance of demonstrating a high-level commitment to combatting
money laundering and terrorism financing," Treasury said in a
statement, the first clear sign of reconciliation.
Hamdok was at the State Department as well on Wednesday and was
hailed for his efforts "to break with the policies and practices of
the previous regime."
Meanwhile, the US last month pulled its ambassador out of South Sudan
over the failure of the factions in Juba to form a unity government.