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Case Studies in Sanctions and Terrorism
Case 89-3
US v. Sudan (1989–: Human Rights; Civil War; Democracy)
| Chronology of Key Events | Goals of Sender Country | Response to Target Country |
Attitude of Other Countries | Legal Notes | Economic Impact | Assessment |
Author's Summary | Bibliography |
Secretary of State James A. Baker III
"The United States remains profoundly concerned about massive human suffering in Sudan....We call on authorities at all levels on both sides to remove remaining obstacles and do everything possible to provide emergency relief to victims caught in garrison towns and other areas of the war zone." Baker also calls for cease-fire in civil war. (Washington Post, 9 February 1990, A34)
US Ambassador to Sudan G. Norman Anderson
Anderson meets with General Bashir day following coup deposing Mahdi, reportedly urges him to "show swift progress in resolving the six-year-old civil war, a move that could influence Washington's decision" on waiving section 513 of Foreign Assistance Appropriations Act (see "Legal Notes"). (New York Times, 16 July 1989, 4)
US Government
"[T]he administration is trying to maintain friendly relations while pressing the government to negotiate peace and ease delivery of famine relief....Congress has pushed the administration to consider stronger action, including withholding non-humanitarian aid, to pressure Khartoum to get food to civilians and negotiate an end to the civil war." (Congressional Quarterly Weekly, 13 May 1989, 1132)
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
“The United States has imposed sweeping new economic sanctions against the Government of Sudan because of its continued sponsorship of international terrorism, its effort to destabilize neighboring countries and its abysmal record on human rights, including religious persecution.” (New York Times, 5 November 1997, A7; USIS Washington File, 4 November 1997)
US Representative Chris Smith (R-NJ)
"Not only should we not weaken the sanctions, we should strengthen them to ensure that when Khartoum opens the new oil pipeline being built for it by western companies, it will not be able to buy an army with the power to crush the people of the south once and for all." (USIS, 27 May 1999)
Prime Minister Sadiq Mahdi
Mahdi characterizes civil war as "a nuisance...Of course it is costing us lives. But it is like you have lost your finger. You don't die because you have lost your finger. The worst that can happen to the Sudan is a division between north and south." (Washington Post, 21 November 1987, A20)
Ghazi Salah al-din, close adviser to Bashir
“It is a belief that is unfortunately gaining momentum every day, that the West is a hopeless case in understanding Islam, and that these allegations [of human rights abuses and terrorism, see case 93-5] are used as a stick to whip us with.” (Christian Science Monitor, 24 March 1993, 3)
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail
“Sudan has succeeded in dealing with and containing the adverse
effects of the embargo. . . . We will continue denouncing this unilateral resolution in all international and regional forums.” (Agence France Presse, 4 November 1998)
Libya
As US military assistance declined after mid-1980s, Libya becomes "one of Sudan's major military patrons." In March 1989, government of Sudan signs $250 million arms deal with Libya. (Washington Post, 4 March 1989, A18)
United Kingdom, Netherlands
These countries cut their aid to Sudan because of previous government's failure to end civil war. (New York Times, 16 July 1989, 4)
Neighboring countries
Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt have become increasingly fearful of Sudanese support for armed Islamist movements. They have accused Sudan of supporting Muslim radicals intent on overthrowing their regimes. Only Kenya remains on speaking terms with the Khartoum government (Economist, 9 December 1995, 42; Associated Press, 22 January 1996)
Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, comments on proposed military aid for Sudan
“We have close cooperation with Sudan and if we help them, no one should complain.” (Agence France Presse, 12 February 1997)
Section 513 of Foreign Assistance Appropriations Act of 1989:
"None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available pursuant to this Act shall be obligated or expended to finance directly any assistance to any country whose duly elected Head of Government is deposed by military coup or decree...."
Executive Order, Title 31 Part 538 of the US Code of Federal Regulations:
“Except for information or informational materials and donated articles intended to relieve human suffering, such as food, clothing and medicine, no goods, technology, or services may be
exported from the United States to Sudan, either directly or through third countries, without a license.” (US Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control [OFAC])
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