Publication

In October 2017, the US lifted three of the most significant components of its sanctions regime against Sudan as part of a shift in bilateral relations with Khartoum. This report describes the specific sanctions changes, their stated rationales, and their documented and likely future effects on Sudan’s internal conflicts, particularly in Darfur. Key findings include 1) that despite their broad impact on Sudan’s economy, the sanctions did not consistently hinder key regime functions; 2) the sanctions-easing process has improved the Sudanese government’s immediate adherence to its international humanitarian obligations; and 3) however, the easing of sanctions effectively reflects international acceptance of Sudan’s longstanding strategy of seeking militarized counter-insurgency solutions to its internal conflicts.