Sudan: US decision to renew sanctions 'routine' procedure

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry described on Tuesday a decision taken by US President Barack Obama to renew sanctions against Sudan as an annually-renewed "routine" procedure.

In a press statement, Spokesman for the Sudanese Foreign Ministry Ghariballah Khadir said the US move has a negative impact on the humanitarian situation in Sudan.

Sudan, in spite of the decision, is keen on continuing the current high-level dialogue process with the US, the spokesman added.

Earlier, the US Department of State minimized the renewal of sanction saying it is "a technical decision and part of a routine, annual process that does not prejudice the ability of the [US] President to provide sanctions relief at any point in the future".

Obama’s order maintains several sets of US sanctions imposed in November 1997 which restrict US trade and investment with Sudan and block assets of the Sudanese government.

Source: MENA