KHARTOUM, A statement issued by US Embassy official in Khartoum on Monday said, President Donald Trump’s administration has removed Sudan from the US-list of state sponsors of terrorism. The statement added a notification to that effect, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo  would be published in the Federal Register.It is being claimed that Sudan in dire straits, crumpling economy, galloping inflation and countrywide food crises had officially recognized Israel.

Recently, United Sates President Donald Trump gave a decision to remove Sudan from the list of state sponsor of terrorism. Dropping Sudan from terrorism list after twenty-seven yearsby U.S. paved the way for the accord between both the countries. Republicans consider it as a foreign policy achievement but on the other hand Sudan recognized Israel to strike off from state sponsors of terror list and to open door towards much needed economic stabilisation in the country.

Sudan is currently ruled by a fragile transitional Sovereignty Council run byTransitional Military Council (TMC), Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan, who was the supporter of ties with Israel however, Hamdok, his civilian counterpart has been hesitant.  Lt Gen Burhan will be in charge of the Sovereign Council, for the first 21 months subsequently he will hand over control of the Sovereignty Council to a civilian in 2022 elections. 

Notably, it was the site of a declaration against normalisation with Israel in 1967, when the meeting of Arab League, in Khartoum, swore "no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with it". Sudan fought in wars against Israel in 1948 and 1967 and was suspected of sending Iranian arms to Palestinian militants in Gaza several years ago. Sudan was alleged of prompting air strikes against Israeli.

Previously, Sudan’s long term ruler Omar Al-Bashir was considered as a staunch foe of Israel. He was deposed as president in 2019 and was replaced by transitional civilian-military council.The country's democratic hopes hang by a thread 18 months after peaceful protests overthrew Al-Bashir which brought political dynamics. During his rule, Israel considered Sudan a security threat. Regardless of Bashir ruthless regime, Sudanese civil society, including trade unions and professional associations, remained remarkably active. Sudan’s political landscape was considered as one of the most diverse and vibrant in the Arab world.

The move to normalise relations with Israel is seen by Trump administration as a foreign policy victory ahead of the November 3, elections but the timing of the announcement of normalizing Sudan-Israel deal is no coincidence. However pro-Israel policies of Trump are to appealhisChristian voters who are the key part of his voter base.In recent months, Trump double down his efforts to get re-elected by enable peace accords among Israel and Arab countries.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain are the first two Gulf States in a quarter of a century to reach a decision to normalise relations with Israel in 26 years, forged largely through shared fears of Iran. Until last month only two Arab nations Egypt and Jordan had officially recognised Israel.

The Palestinian leadership condemned Israel, Bahrain, and UAE normalizing accord. They called it a "new stab in the back of Palestinian cause" and a betrayal.  As more of their Arab countries appear to give their quest for statehood a lower priority. On the other hand Hamas, who control the Gaza strip said it was an act of “aggression” that dealt “serious prejudice” to Palestinian cause. Historically, Arab countries conditioned peace talks with Israel on its withdrawal from territories occupied in the 1967 war and the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

An imminent normalisation deal with Israel could lift Sudan out of insolvency as Sudan has been dealing with a deteriorating economic crisis for years. Signs of recovery for Sudan economy crises were nowhere in sight, country’s inflation almost reached up to 170 percent. Government of Sudan declared state of economic emergency due to persistent freefall of Sudanese pounds. Removing Sudan as state sponsor terrorism has been a significant driver for country’s long term economic challenges. Trade and foreign investment were largely restricted in Sudan. However by normalising relations, Israel and Sudan plan to begin by opening economic and trade links, with an initial focus on agriculture.

In truth, removal of Sudan from long last terror designation was pre-planned but not a coincidence. U.S. took advantage of wheel barrel economy of Sudan, droppedSudan from terror list and announcedIsrael, Sudan normalization deal. On one hand it benefits Trump, as an achievement in foreign policy and on the other hand recognising Israel would be a momentous step for Sudan to deal with economic crises that indeed is the whole point. Israel also want to maintain a military advantage over the other states in Middle East. As it would be uplifting for Sudan, future hurdles are also significant.