Consequences for Africa If US Designates Wagner Group As Terrorist Organization

 Lawfare published on 7 March 2023 an analysis titled "The Potential Consequences for Africa of an FTO Designation of the Wagner Group" by Naman Karl-Thomas Habtom, University of Cambridge.

The United States has designated the Russian mercenary company, the Wagner Group, as a "significant transnational criminal organization."  There is pressure in Congress to go further and designate it a "foreign terrorist organization."  Doing so could make African countries such as Mali and the Central African Republic that employ the Wagner Group subject to sanctions and may even risk their being designated as a state sponsor of terrorism.  

Getting Sudan's Democratic Transition Back on Track

 The Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) published on 3 October 2022 a commentary titled "Helping Put Sudan's Democratic Transition Back on Track" by Benjamin Oestericher, FPRI intern.

The author argues that the international community, especially the United States, failed to adequately support Sudan's civilian government during the key window of opportunity it had to gain the legitimacy of the Sudanese people.  COVID-19, climate change, and serious flooding exacerbated the challenge.

Comment:  The missing part of this argument is the unwillingness of the military, which has the guns, to yield meaningful power to a civilian government.  

Critique of International Role in Sudan

 Foreign Policy published on 3 May 2022 an analysis titled "How the U.N. and the West Failed Sudan" by Justin Lynch.

The author argues that while Sudan's military and politicias are responsible for the fate of Sudan, the international community's role is a record of the limits of foreign assistance, self-delusion, and negligence.

Sudan's Ambassador to Washington Forced Out

 The Washington Diplomat published on 16 February 2022 an article titled "Sudan's US Envoy, Forced to Resign, Tells Us 'the Situation Is Disastrous'" by Larry Luxner.

Sudanese ambassador to the US, Nureldin Mohamed Hamed Satti, was forced to resign by Sudan's military government.  He recently commented that "politically, economically, socially, really from all points of view, Sudan is on the path to collapse."

What Does Eritrean President's Visit to Sudan Mean for Ethiopia?

 The Associated Press published an article on 4 May 2021 titled "Eritrea's President Visits Sudan Amid Tensions over Ethiopia" by Samy Magdy.  

Eritrea has had to assure Sudan that it has no role in the border dispute between Ethiopia and Sudan.  A Sudan government statement said leaders of the two countries will discuss the border dispute and Ethiopian-Sudanese differences over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Comment:  As relationships become more complicated in the Horn of Africa because of differences over the GERD, the Sudan-Ethiopia border conflict, and the continuing presence of Eritrean troops in Ethiopia, the visit by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to Khartoum takes on added importance and almost certainly raises questions in the minds of Ethiopia's leaders as to the intentions of Sudan and Eritrea.  

Sudan: Implications of Being Removed from List of State Sponsors of Terrorism

 Borgen Magazine published on 20 February 2021 an article titled "The U.S. Takes Sudan Off the List of State Sponsors of Terrorism" by Luis Gonzalez Kompalic.  

The article reviews the background of Sudan's placement on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism and explains what removal from the list last October will now allow the country to do.  

US Negotiations with Sudan Stall Re. Recognition of Israel

 The Washington Post published on 30 September 2020 an article titled "US Push for Sudan to Recognize Israel Falters--And Puts Khartoum in a Tight Spot" by Max Bearak and Naba Mohieddin.  

US efforts to convince Sudan to recognize Israel seem to have stalled.  The US linked Sudan's recognition of Israel to removal of Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism, two completely unrelated issues. Israel offered financial incentives to Sudan, while Sudan asked for more incentives.

None of the parties in this tawdry affair looks good, especially the United States, which is only seeking a domestic political victory for the Trump administration before the 3 November election.  

Proposal for a New US Policy in Sudan

 The Hill published on 4 September 2020 a commentary titled "How the US Can Pull Sudan Back from the Brink" by Herman J. Cohen, former assistant secretary of State for African affairs.  

The author proposed a reasonable outline for a new US policy in Sudan that begins with removing the country from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.