New US visa restrictions target ousted Sudan regime officials
The US State Department has announced visa restrictions on individuals who, it said, were undermining Sudan’s civilian-led government.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a 13 August statement that the restrictions will apply to former officials of ousted President Omar Al Bashir’s administration and others. He added that the bans would affect ‘individuals residing both inside and outside Sudan who are believed to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have engaged, directly or indirectly, in undermining Sudan’s civilian-led transitional government’s efforts.’
Pompeo said that individuals who engage in corruption or human rights abuses against Sudanese civilians would also be denied US visas. He stressed that the decision reflects the Department of State’s commitment to work with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and the civilian-led transitional government, civil society, and others in their efforts to deliver ‘freedom, peace and justice’ to the people of Sudan.
The State Department explained that ‘the list of these individuals is not publicly available; however, any application they may submit for travel to the United States will be adjudicated according to established guidelines.’ It stressed that ‘The United States remains a steadfast supporter of Sudan’s peaceful, democratic transition.’
