Biden extends U.S. sanctions on Sudan amid growing military dictatorship

In a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate, President Biden noted that “Sudan made strides in its transition toward democracy between 2019 and 2021, but the October 2021 military takeover of the government has reversed those modest gains.”

“The crisis that led to the declaration of a national emergency in Executive Order 13067; the expansion of that emergency in of April 26, 2006; and the taking of additional steps with respect to that emergency in Executive Order 13412 of October 13, 2006, Executive Order 13761 of January 13, 2017, and Executive Order 13804 of July 11, 2017, has not been resolved,” President Biden wrote.

He said that “the situation in Darfur continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.”

“Therefore, I have determined that it is necessary to continue the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13067, as expanded by Executive Order 13400, with respect to Sudan,” he said.

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, within 90 days prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date.

“In accordance with this provision, I have sent to the Federal Register for publication the enclosed notice stating that the national emergency with respect to Sudan declared in Executive Order 13067 of November 3, 1997, is to continue in effect beyond November 3, 2022,” Biden said.

The Executive order bars U.S. citizens from doing business in Sudan and also sanctions some individuals who constitute a threat to the national security of the United States.