According to recent reports, the newly elected government of Sudan is going to pay $335 million to terror victims and families in the United States. Donald Trump tweeted, GREAT news! The new government of Sudan, which is making great progress, agreed to pay $335 MILLION to U.S. terror victims and families. Once deposited, I will lift Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. At long last, JUSTICE for the American people and BIG step for Sudan!”
Sudan to pay $335 million to US terror victims
Hamdok, the Sudanese Prime Minister replied by tweeting, “Thank you so much, President Trump! We very much look forward to your official notification to Congress rescinding the designation of Sudan as a state-sponsor of terrorism, which has cost Sudan too much.” He added, “This Tweet and that notification are the strongest support to Sudan’s transition to democracy and to the Sudanese people. As we’re about to get rid of the heaviest legacy of Sudan’s previous, defunct regime, I should reiterate that we are peace-loving people and have never supported terrorism.”
This event marks the exit of Sudan from the terrorism list. Many political scientists are speculating that this step will normalize relations between Israel and Sudan. “The Israel taboo… has left Sudan a prisoner of history,” said the Sudanese Prime Minister in an earlier interview.
This hefty sum given by Sudan will be given to the victims of al-Qaeda attacks done on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania during 1998. The bombings were done on 7 August 1998 and claimed the lives of 224 people while approximately 5,000 were injured. The bombs exploded at the same time at US embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Tanzania on the tragic eve of 7 August 1998.
A step forward for Sudan?
As a response to these bombings, the United States retaliated by launching cruise missiles in Afghanistan and Sudan. These missiles were targeted at suspected terrorist targets. Recently, in May 2020, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the victims of embassy bombings along with their family members were rightfully entitled to $4.3 billion as punitive damages. A total sum owed to these terror victims was calculated at $10.2 billion. The sums were to be paid by Sudan, courtesy of extensive evidence found that Sudan assisted al-Qaeda in bombings.
“For more than two decades, we have waited for justice and accountability. We believe that the settlement agreement, while far from perfect, provides justice and accountability,” narrates one of the many letters to Congress, signed by more than 80 family members of terror victims.
This arrangement will assist Sudan significantly restore its standing in the international community. This will also attract outside investment and aid for Sudan’s weak economy. Moreover, this event would result in friendly relations between the United States and Sudan. In international media, this step will be interpreted as a political victory for Abdalla Hamdok, the Sudanese Prime Minister.
Hamdok’s transitional government has been facing pressures since Omar al-Bashir, the dictator responsible for aiding al-Qaeda was outsed in the 2019 revolution.
