Sudan announced Tuesday that it was ready to appear before US courts to defend itself on the lawsuits of victims of the September 11 attacks.
“Sudan is committed to appear in front of US courts and defend itself in the ongoing cases in order to prove that it has no link with the 9/11 attacks,” read a Justice Ministry statement.
On Monday, the US Congress moved forward on Washington's promise to end the country's pariah status, passing legislation that grants Sudan some immunity from legal action by the US against its involvement in militant attacks.
In addition, Sudan would receive $1.1 billion direct and indirect aid from the US, as well as the $1 billion bridge loan to the World Bank to help clear Sudan´s arrears with the institution.
The legislation was passed as part of the economic recovery and federal financing bill, which both chambers voted on late Monday. However, it excluded lawsuits by the families of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
The Justice Ministry congratulated on Tuesday the Sudanese people on the move, describing it as “the great historical development” in Sudan's relations with the US.
The ministry confirmed that after the legislation enters into force, Sudan will become a country with full sovereign immunity against any future litigation attempts.
The ministry announced that according to the bill, Washington will be authorizing $111 million to pay off part of Sudan’s bilateral debt, and $120 to help pay off its debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) while making another $700 million available until September 2022 for assistance to the country.
The bill also appropriates an additional $150 million for Sudan’s settlement payment of cases, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry announced that US Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin will visit Khartoum at the beginning of the new year.
Mnuchin is expected to discuss the arrangements to allow foreign investment in the country and means of strengthening future cooperation between the two countries.
In October, US President Donald Trump announced the removal of Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list following an agreement to pay $335 million settlement to victims of al-Qaeda attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and the 2000 attack on the USS Cole in Yemen.
Washington said that Khartoum was partly responsible for the attacks because it hosted al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden at the time.
Khartoum transferred these payments to a frozen account in the US. However, the release of these funds was subject to the approval by the US Congress of the law restoring judicial immunity to Sudan.
Following strenuous negotiations, the Congress and State Department were able to overcome the differences.
Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) sought legislation that would not deprive the families of 9/11 victims of their right to sue Sudan, for its role in supporting al-Qaeda in the past.
However, the Trump administration wanted to ensure the legislation is approved by Congress to show its clear support for the Sudanese transitional authorities two years after the uprising that toppled president Omar al-Bashir.
It also wanted to ensure that Khartoum will not reconsider its historic recognition of Israel, which was announced under US pressure.
The state sponsor of terrorism designation, which was in place for almost three decades, had weighed on Sudan’s economy and restricted its ability to receive aid. For investors, the reinstating of sovereign immunity removes another layer of financial risk.
A US source familiar with the matter said the debt assistance would help kick off Sudan’s debt relief on a global level, helping make it eligible for the IMF’s Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program, according to Reuters.
With the reinstatement of sovereign immunity and the financial aid, Khartoum will now be “on the hook,” to normalize ties with Israel, a US source familiar with the matter informed Reuters, a move it has agreed to under US pressure.
Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen told Ynet TV that the US-Sudanese developments “certainly” meant progress toward an accord between Israel and Sudan, saying: “We will see a signing ceremony in the coming weeks or months.”
