US to Name Ambassador to Sudan After 23-Year Gap

The United States (US) announced on Wednesday that it would appoint an ambassador to Sudan for the first time in 23 years.

This came during Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s first official visit to Washington.

The United States praised Hamdok's steps to "change the policies and practices of the former regime," whose relations with the West have been tense.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States would name an ambassador to Khartoum after congressional approval, and that Sudan would regain full representation in Washington.

“Pleased to announce that the United States and #Sudan have decided to initiate the process to exchange ambassadors for the first time in 23 years. This is a historic step to strengthen our bilateral relationship,” Pompeo tweeted.

In a statement, Pompeo praised the civilian-led transitional government for launching "sweeping reforms".

It is worth mentioning that, relations between Washington and Khartoum have improved since the overthrow in April of then-President Omar al-Bashir and the formation of a civilian transitional government in August.

Hamdok, a British-educated former diplomat and UN official, is the first Sudanese leader to visit Washington since 1985.

Months of demonstrations over price hikes for fuel and bread and cash shortages led to an uprising against Bashir, who was toppled by the military in April.