Legislation Helps Reintegrate the Republic of Sudan into the Global Economy, Creating New Development Opportunities

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Statement by Acting Deputy Administrator John Barsa

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, December 30, 2020
Office of Press Relations
press@usaid.gov

As we approach the 13th anniversary of the tragic death of our colleague, John Granville, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) welcomes key provisions in the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act that, at long last, will lead to compensation for Mr. Granville’s family. The adoption of this legislation is a necessary step to ensure Mr. Granville’s family and the victims of other terrorist attacks on the U.S. Embassies in the Republic of Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania in 1998 and the USS Cole in 2000 receive $335 million in compensation from the Government of the Republic of Sudan.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act does so while still ensuring that 9/11 victims with pending cases against the Government of Sudan may continue to pursue them in U.S. courts. While securing this compensation represents hard-won justice for victims and their families, this legislation also marks a major step forward on Sudan’s path toward development and economic self-sufficiency, because it alleviates the risk of seizure of Sudanese assets and furthers the country’s integration into the global economy. It opens the possibility for substantially increased trade and investment, which the people of Sudan have long sought.

To take advantage of this new potential, and to consolidate Sudan’s democratic opening following the 2019 revolution that ended 30 years of the abusive Bashir regime, the Consolidated Appropriations Act provides a significant increase in assistance for Sudan as well as funding for debt relief should Sudan meet criteria under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative.

Sudan’s economy faces severe challenges following decades of isolation and mismanagement during the Bashir regime. This assistance will offer immediate relief to the people of Sudan by providing the Transitional Government with the support it requires to undertake critically needed reforms, while simultaneously helping to revitalize the private sector – Sudan’s best prospect for sustainable economic growth and expanding business opportunities for the U.S. private sector.

This historic transformation underway in Sudan is possible because of the courageous actions of the Sudanese people. We commend them for their continued insistence on freedom, peace, and justice. We also congratulate Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and the members of the Transitional Government for their courage in advancing the aspirations of the people they serve, and for pursuing regional peace under the Abraham Accords.