WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government lifted the two-decade-long sanctions on Sudan on Friday, recognizing its "sustained positive actions" to counter terrorism and improve humanitarian distress.
"The government of Sudan's actions during the last nine months show that it is serious about cooperation with the United States and has taken significant steps to stop conflict and improve humanitarian access within Sudan," said U.S. State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert in a statement.
The revocation of the sanctions followed the "sustained positive actions" of the government of Sudan, Nauert added.
Meanwhile, Sudan will remain on the U.S. list of "state sponsors of terrorism."
The relief of the sanctions, which were first imposed on Khartoum in 1997, has been eagerly anticipated by Sudan since U.S. President Barack Obama temporarily eased penalties against the east African nation before leaving office.
Under the directive signed by Obama in January, the United States moved to lift a trade embargo and unblock Sudanese government assets that were frozen in earlier sanctions.
In July, the Trump administration decided to extend the review period by three months to determine whether to permanently lift trade sanctions against Sudan.
