Biden’s administrator. warns US companies against doing business in Sudan

The United States on Monday warned businesses against doing business in Sudan due to risks following the country’s military takeover in October. Photo by EPA-EFE

May 23 (UPI) – The Biden administration is warning Americans against doing business with Sudanese state-owned and military-controlled companies as it seeks to regain civilian control of the Northeast African country.

The U.S. Department of State, Treasury, Commerce and Labor released business consulting On Monday, it is said that those working in Sudan should be aware of the “potential reputational risks” and human rights issues associated with doing business with these entities.

U.S. businesses and individuals should also be aware of those who have been blacklisted as nominees and blocked by the Treasury, it added.

The African country has been experiencing years of economic and political turmoil since the ouster of its former dictatorial president, Omar al-Bashir, in 2019.

After he was removed from office, steps were taken to form a transitional government led by civilians, which the military abolished in October as a result of a coup.

The United States has repeatedly called on the military government to return to democracy, sanctioned those who violated human rights in suppressing protests against the military coup and suspended economic aid and easing Sudan’s debt.

Late last month the US with the UK, France, Germany, Norway and the European Union called “Immediate progress” towards a civilian transitional government.

A business consultation on Monday said Sudanese government and military-controlled companies were playing an “unusually large role” in the country’s economy and that the military had tightened its direct control over the coup since the coup.

According to the U.S. government, there are at least 650 companies that are on the state list, and at least 200 of them are controlled by the military.

“These state-owned enterprises also have a history of sinecure and self-trade, which has reduced Sudan’s financial and economic resources,” the consultation said. “DP benefits from government preferences and poor transparency and control over private companies that adhere to higher standards by the government, which has allowed state-owned enterprises to dominate Sudan’s economy.”

The recommendation lists Sudanese gold as a risk list, indicating that the mineral is produced using child labor as well as military equipment and activities, as there is a UN embargo on arms supplies to Sudan in connection with its actions in Darfur.

“The United States remains committed to supporting the Sudanese people’s desire for a civilian transition to an elected government,” a State Department spokesman said. Ned Price said in statement.