Sudanese government wants better US relations

The Sudanese government is hopeful that America will adopt a constructive role towards the current issues of the country, as it looks to improve ties with Washington. The Sudanese Information Minister, Dr Ahmed Bilal Othman met Joseph Stafford, the American charge d'affaires in Sudan. Afterwards, he said, "the progress in US-Sudanese relations is currently very slow. Sudan can’t ignore the importance of the US role, especially in relation to the security issues in Darfur, South Kordofan, and the relationship with the state of South Sudan." He added that "his country is looking forward to a new role for the US management, especially after the transition period and the possibility of change in the management of the White House regarding the ministers and envoys to Sudan." Stafford hailed the meeting as "constructive," adding, "the normalisation of trade relations with Sudan and removing it from the the list of states that sponsor terrorism is based on ending the ongoing dialogue between Washington and Khartoum with positive results." In the past, Othman has told Arabstoday that the US administration "has worked and will continue to work to remove the ruling regime in Sudan," adding that the Khartoum government has received nothing but promises from Washington in previous years.