'Deep regret and discontent' over new US travel ban: Sudan

"Sudanese citizens have never been involved in any crimes or terrorism in the United States"


Afp March 07, 2017
Protesters chant during a rally against the travel ban at San Diego International Airport in California, on March 6, 2017, after US President Donald Trump signed a revised ban on refugees and travelers from six Muslim-majority nations. PHOTO: AFP

Sudan expressed "deep regret and discontent" on Tuesday over US President Donald Trump's revised travel ban barring its citizens from travelling to the United States.

"The ministry of foreign affairs expresses its deep regret and discontent over the executive order issued by the American president," a statement said.

Trump signs new travel ban targeting six Muslim nations

On Monday, Trump signed a revised ban on refugee admissions and new visas for travellers from six Muslim-majority nations, among them Sudan.

It came after a first ban was frozen by US federal courts.
The new executive order suspends refugee admissions for 120 days and halts new visas for travellers from Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Yemen and Sudan. Iraqis who had been targeted by the original ban were not included.

Sudan said it renews its "condemnation" of the order as it comes despite Khartoum engaging in talks with Washington on fighting regional and international terrorism.

"These negotiations confirmed that Sudan plays a big role as a partner in fighting terrorism that endangers people of both countries and of the world," the foreign ministry said.

Urging Washington to drop Khartoum from its blacklist of state sponsors of terrorism, the ministry said the US administration should review the "harsh decision" taken against Sudanese citizens.

"Sudanese citizens have never been involved in any crimes or terrorism in the United States," the statement said.

Trump uncertainty slowing US travel bookings: report

Before leaving office, president Barack Obama eased decades-old sanctions against Sudan, but kept Khartoum on the blacklist.

Sudan was designated a state sponsor of terrorism in 1993 and has been subject to a US trade embargo since 1997 over its alleged support for Islamist groups.

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