Sudan sanctions

In response to “positive actions” taken by the Government of Sudan over the past six months, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) announced today an amendment to the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations (“SSR,” 31 C.F.R. Part 538) that effectively suspends virtually all of the U.S. sanctions against Sudan by authorizing through a general license (referred to in this post as the “General License”) all transactions otherwise prohibited by the SSR and two related executive orders (13067 and 13412). The General License will take effect when it is published in the Federal Register, which is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, January 17, 2017.OFAC’s issuance of the General License accompanies a new Executive Order that President Obama signed today, which revokes, effective July 12, 2017, key provisions of the two executive orders that established the Sudan sanctions, provided that … [Read more...] about United States suspends Sudan sanctions

On January 13, 2017, President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order (the “Sudan Executive Order”) that will effectively revoke, after six months (i.e., on July 12, 2017), the U.S. trade embargo against Sudan, provided the Government of Sudan continues recent humanitarian improvements and reductions in military and hostile activity.  Simultaneously with the Sudan Executive Order, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) issued a Final Rule to amend the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR Part 538; “SSR”), which implements the Sudan sanctions, to include a general license effective January 17, 2017, that authorizes all previously prohibited transactions with Sudan and the Government of Sudan, with certain limitations.  Additionally, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”), which enforces the Export Administration Regulations … [Read more...] about Obama Administration Announces Relief of Sudan Sanctions Measures

Sudan SanctionsOn October 6, 2017, the Trump Administration announced that it will permanently revoke economic sanctions against Sudan effective October 12, 2017. The final step in the permanent revocation of sanctions was taken on October 11, 2017, when the State Department published a notice confirming the decision in the Federal Register (82 Fed. Reg. 47287).What Does This Mean in Practice?Exports. US companies can now export their products and services to customers in Sudan without any license or authorization from the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Depending upon the product, customer and end use, they may have to obtain an export license under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), but OFAC’s blanket ban on exports, temporarily suspended in January 2017, will be permanently revoked on October 12. Licensing policy under the EAR has been amended to create a … [Read more...] about Trump Administration Permanently Lifts Sudan Sanctions

On 6 October, the Trump administration announced that it would permanently revoke economic sanctions against Sudan, effective 12 October 2017. The State Department published this decision in the Federal Register, 82 Fed. Reg. 47287, on 11 October 2017. This decision means that US companies can invest in Sudan and export their products and services to Sudan, subject to compliance with US export controls under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which are not affected by the revocation of the sanctions. Further, effective 12 October 2017, all blocked assets are permanently unblocked; however, in many instances, officials will need some time to determine who has the rightful claim to the unblocked assets. The Darfur and South Sudan sanctions remain in effect. Thus, US persons are prohibited from engaging with any specially designated nationals designated under … [Read more...] about Trump Administration Permanently Lifts Sudan Sanctions: November 2017 Update

Following the extreme violence and fighting in July 2016, the EU’s High Representative, Federica Mogherini, issued a declaration on South Sudan. The EU reiterates its call on all South Sudanese parties to implement the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in good faith.The declaration is clear that the EU remains ready to impose sanctions against any individual responsible for undermining the peace process in South Sudan. The EU declaration further notes that the EU has long maintained an arms embargo on South Sudan, and supports the UN Security Council’s willingness to consider additional measures, including an arms embargo, should obstruction of the UN’s mission in South Sudan continue. … [Read more...] about European Union Issues Declaration on South Sudan Sanctions