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The U.N. Security Council has lifted sanctions against Sudan, which won U.S. support for lifting the sanctions by providing intelligence on terrorists. Further cooperation will give the United States a vital source of intelligence on terrorist networks and prevent Sudan from again becoming a safe haven for Islamic radicals. But Khartoum’s cooperation will require reduced U.S. support for southern rebels, a potential bone of contention in U.S. domestic politics.
The U.N. Security Council lifted 5-year-old sanctions against Sudan Sept. 28 after the United States abstained from the vote. Earlier, the Sudanese government had provided Washington with important intelligence on Saudi exile Osama bin Laden, who lived in Sudan from 1991 to 1996.
The United States still lists Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism, although the intelligence won its support for lifting the U.N. sanctions. Washington’s own economic sanctions against the east African nation remain in place. But the recent cooperation has opened a dialogue that could herald the start of a new era in Sudanese-U.S. relations and ultimately lead to the lifting of U.S. sanctions. Washington will expand its cooperation with Khartoum, reducing its support for Sudan’s southern rebels in the process.
Sudan could play a pivotal role in the U.S.-led coalition against terrorism. First, it would add one more Muslim country to the list of U.S. coalition partners. Second, Khartoum is uniquely positioned to provide a wealth of information on bin Laden’s activities, investments, networks and operations. Third, collaboration in the counterterrorism effort would prevent Sudan from again becoming a haven for international terrorists.
But a shift in U.S. policy is necessary for gaining long-term collaboration from the government of President Omar al-Bashir. For the past four years, relations between the two nations have been strained. In 1997, the United States levied economic sanctions against Sudan, condemning the government as a sponsor of terrorism and an oppressor of the country’s Christian minority. The events of Sept. 11, however, have altered Washington’s global priorities, and collaboration with Khartoum will now become vital.
Khartoum’s cooperation could advance U.S. efforts to dismantle the Saudi exile’s financial network. Already, the French bank Credit Lyonnais is freezing assets belonging to Sudan’s Al Shamal Islamic Bank, which is suspected of involvement with bin Laden, the Associated Press reported Oct. 1. Al Shamal was reportedly established by a $50 million investment from bin Laden – although bank officials have denied he is a stakeholder – and is closely tied to Sudan’s ruling National Islamic Front. Coordinating U.S. and Sudanese policies will be key to shutting down bin Laden’s financial access.
Sudan’s help will be contingent on America reducing its support for southern rebels. The United States, through the U.N.-led humanitarian project Operation Lifeline Sudan, has been the largest provider of external aid to the rebel Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement and its militant wing, the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army. In fact the United States gave $161 million in humanitarian aid to Sudan in fiscal 2001, according to the U.S. Agency for International Development. The vast majority of goes to refugee camps in southern Sudan and neighboring Kenya and Uganda, which are used as rear bases and lines of supply for the rebels.
Washington would find it hard to cut off that support without controversy. Following the Sept. 11 attacks, the Congressional Black Caucus and several conservative Christian groups with missions in southern Sudan immediately called for the U.S. government to take action against Khartoum, according to the U.N. Integrated Regional Information Network Sept. 28.
Washington’s shift from supporting the rebel army to cooperating with the government will be difficult to achieve outright. But the process may already have begun. For example Congress has delayed legislation intended to impose stock market sanctions on companies doing business in Sudan. Such legislation would have forced the likes of Canadian oil company Talisman, which has holdings in Sudan, off the New York Stock Exchange.
The shift could be a boon for Sudan’s military-led government. Gen. Bashir has spent the past year trying to undercut Islamist groups in the country. By placing former parliament speaker and ally Hassan al-Turabi under house arrest, Bashir essentially quelled rising opposition. But maintaining that control will be difficult. Turabi, a bin Laden associate and prominent Muslim leader, and his People’s National Congress enjoy broad support among Sudan’s northern Islamic population.
