Obama Issues Executive Order to Remove Sudan Sanctions
President Barack Obama on Jan. 13 issued an executive order (here) directing the removal of sanctions on property and interests of the Sudanese government, and the removal of prohibitions on imports from and exports to the country, to take overall effect July 12, as outlined in a letter from Obama to Congress (here). "The 180-day delay period of the order's effective date with respect to removing these provisions is intended to encourage the Government of Sudan to sustain its efforts in these areas." Obama's order would also rescind Executive Order 13412, which continues blocking the Sudanese government and specifies prohibitions relating to Sudan's petroleum industry. However, the national emergency regarding Sudan will remain in place, Obama said. Obama tasked the Secretary of State and interagency partners to review Sudanese government actions annually after his order takes effect.
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Meanwhile, the Office of Foreign Assets Control is amending the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations to authorize all transactions prohibited by the regulations, effective on Jan. 17, OFAC said in a final rule (here). On and after that date, U.S. individuals and entities will be authorized to process transactions involving Sudanese individuals, import goods from Sudan, and export goods, technology and services to the nation, among other things, OFAC said (here). OFAC is issuing a one-year general license to allow exports of agricultural commodities, medicine and medical devices to Sudan. However, OFAC's regulatory amendments won't impact Sudanese individuals or entities blocked in connection with the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region, the agency said. The Bureau of Industry and Security is issuing a final rule (here) to provide for a general policy of approval for licenses to export or re-export to Sudan items on the Commerce Control List controlled "only for anti-terrorism reasons" to ensure the safety of civil aviation and for the improvement, development or operation of railroads, to become effective Jan. 17. The general policies of approval will apply only to exports and re-exports to Sudan for civil uses by non-sensitive end-users within the nation, BIS said.
(Federal Register 01/17/17)