Sudan and the United States

The United States established diplomatic relations with Sudan in 1956 following its independence from the joint administration by Egypt and the United Kingdom. Since then, relations between Sudan and the United States witnessed several challenges and key changes, the most prominent of which was the shift that occurred in 1996 after the United States withdrew its ambassador and closed its embassy in Khartoum. The United States then imposed economic sanctions on Sudan and the relations between the two countries worsened. In spite of the embassy re-opening in 2002, relations remained tense and diplomatic representation was limited to the role of Chargé d’affaires.

However, the political developments in Sudan starting in 2019 and a shift in U.S. foreign policy toward conciliatory diplomacy allowed for a better understanding of the Sudanese perspective. The October 2017 executive order lifting economic sanctions, followed by the landmark removal of Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list in 2020, promised to reset economic relations and allowed technical, cultural, and scientific exchanges to become possible once again.

A historic turning point was reached in 2022 when diplomatic representation was upgraded to the rank of Ambassador for the first time in 26 years. The United States appointed H.E. John T. Godfrey as Ambassador to Sudan, and in turn, Sudan appointed H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Abdalla Idris as Ambassador to the United States, effectively ending decades of diplomatic deadlock.

While the outbreak of the war instigated by the Rapid Support Forces militia in April 2023 presented a profound challenge to these burgeoning ties, the diplomatic bridge between the two nations has remained resilient. Sudan has always appreciated the role of the United States a lead facilitator in peace negotiations—notably through the Jeddah process.

Although current trade activity in agricultural machinery, cereals, and vegetable extracts has been impacted by the conflict, both nations are committed to a future where trade can be used as a tool for reconstruction and recovery.

The relationship between U.S. lawmakers of both the Democratic and Republican parties and the people of Sudan is reaching a new level of engagement.

The Embassy, for its part, continues to actively engage with Congress and the U.S. administration to provide solid, verifiable facts on the ground.

Today, the long history of friendship and cooperation between our two nations—spanning seven decades—serves as a vital foundation. Both sides look forward to a restored era of peace, where the mutual respect and understanding fostered in recent years can finally bear fruit in the form of shared prosperity and regional stability.