President Punts on Sudan Sanctions

The President issued a new Executive Order today delaying a decision on whether to permanently lift sanctions on Sudan.

In January, President Obama announced the interim lifting of U.S. sanctions on Sudan. At that time the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the agency primarily responsible for implementing U.S. sanctions, issued a general license (or exemption) allowing most transactions involving Sudan, Sudanese companies, and Sudanese residents. In order to make the relief permanent, President Obama’s Executive Order required various U.S. agencies to certify by July 12, 2017 that Sudan was making progress on certain goals important to the United States, like humanitarian assistance, reducing military conflict, and cooperating with anti-terrorism efforts.

Today’s Executive Order delays the report deadline until October 12, 2017. The existing general license authorizing most transactions with Sudan remains in effect, but companies looking for greater certainty regarding the future of U.S. sanctions on Sudan will have to wait a little longer.