§10008 Multilateral Assistance

Summary

Congress says Sudan’s long-term money problems come from decades of theft, bad economic choices, and war. It also says Sudan can only recover if it fights corruption, ends fighting in Darfur, South Kordofan, and Blue Nile, and grows the economy fairly. Congress warns that COVID‑19 is a serious threat to Sudan’s economy, health, and food supply and could hurt the move to civilian-led government. During the transition, the Treasury Secretary may tell U.S. representatives at international financial institutions to support loans or use of funds for Sudan to meet basic needs, fight COVID‑19, or help democracy, governance, or public financial management. After Sudan is taken off the State Sponsors of Terrorism List and the Sovereignty Council is led by a civilian, the Treasury and State Secretaries should work with lenders and creditors to seek debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. No later than 3 months after January 1, 2021, and at least every 6 months during the transition, the Treasury Secretary, with the Secretary of State, must report to Congress on whether Sudan’s transitional government is improving governance and financial transparency. The report should cover seven areas, including civilian control of security finances; a transparent budget for security spending; identifying and transferring company holdings run by security services to the finance ministry; stopping illicit mineral trades by security officials and their families; recovering state assets tied to the former ruling party; tracking offshore funds linked to security services; and fixing banking oversight and anti‑money‑laundering gaps. The reports go to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Senate Appropriations Committee; House Foreign Affairs Committee; House Appropriations Committee; and House Financial Services Committee.