Sudan plans to strengthen relations with US, tight-lipped on Trump's order

Sudan has emphasized on strengthening its relationship with the United States despite the recent executive order by President Donald Trump affecting its citizens.

Vice President Hasabo Mohamed Abdel-Rahman said on Saturday at the ruling party conference that they seek to promote relations with the United States during the next six months, local media Sudan Tribune reported.

He said the country’s foreign relations “is based on principles of mutual interests, non-interference in the affairs of other nations and rejection of extremism and terrorism.”

The United States lifted a wide number of sanctions on Sudan after former President Barack Obama signed an executive order before leaving office.

Sudan looks forward to the next six months for a full lift of sanctions imposed on the country since 1997 for its alleged support of terror groups.

In a congratulatory message sent to the recently confirmed U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour likened to U.S. to Sudan in terms of the challenges they face in the fight against terrorism.

The spokesperson of the foreign ministry Gharib Allah Khidir disclosed the details of the message to the press on Saturday.

“Sudan and the U.S. share a number of values and objectives and face the same challenges,” the message said while citing the agreement between the two countries leading to the lifting of sanctions on Sudan by Obama.

The message made no mention of President Donald Trump’s order banning citizens of seven mainly-Muslim countries including Sudan who want to travel to the U.S. The ban has however been lifted by a judge.

Sudan is expected to cooperate in the fight against terrorism and uphold human rights in its country and strengthen the peace process in South Sudan.