Relationship dossier
Sudan
United States
Relationship assessment
A relationship marked by past confrontation, transitional cooperation, and renewed strain amid Sudan’s political upheaval and war.
Sudan toward United States
-25Under Omar al-Bashir, Sudan’s hosting of Osama bin Laden and support for militant groups contributed to severe confrontation with the United States. Sudan’s transitional government later agreed to compensation for victims of terrorist attacks and pursued normalization with Israel as part of a US-brokered arrangement.
United States toward Sudan
-10The United States imposed broad sanctions on Sudan and designated it a state sponsor of terrorism, but later removed the designation after Sudan agreed to compensation and supported debt relief and the civilian-led transition. Following the 2021 coup, the United States paused assistance; it has also imposed sanctions related to the conflict and pursued diplomacy and humanitarian assistance.
Overall relationship
-20The relationship has been shaped by substantial historical antagonism, including US sanctions and Sudan’s support for militant groups, alongside a significant but incomplete opening during Sudan’s political transition. The transition produced concrete cooperation on compensation, normalization, and debt relief. The coup and subsequent war renewed tensions, leaving the relationship mixed and vulnerable to political change.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Sudan–United States relations have shifted from sharp confrontation under Omar al-Bashir to cooperation with Sudan’s transitional government, followed by renewed strain after the 2021 military coup and the outbreak of war in 2023. Sudan pursued compensation and normalization agreements during the transition, while the United States removed Sudan’s state-sponsor-of-terrorism designation and supported debt relief. Sanctions, aid restrictions, and diplomatic efforts to address the conflict have remained important features of the relationship.
Areas of tension
- US sanctions and Sudan’s former designation as a state sponsor of terrorism
- Sudan’s past support for militant groups and hosting of Osama bin Laden
- The 2021 military coup and the United States’ pause in assistance
- The ongoing war and US sanctions targeting parties to the conflict
Key developments
The United States designated Sudan a state sponsor of terrorism.
Sudan’s transitional government agreed to compensate victims of terrorist attacks, a step toward removal of the US terrorism designation.
The United States removed Sudan from its state-sponsor-of-terrorism list.
Following Sudan’s military coup, the United States paused assistance to the country.
The United States imposed sanctions related to the war in Sudan and engaged in diplomatic efforts to address the conflict.
Major uncertainties
- The extent of cooperation between Sudanese authorities and the United States during the ongoing conflict is unclear.
- The implementation and future of Sudan’s commitments connected to normalization with Israel remain uncertain.