Presidential Determination on Sudan

This determination waives trade sanctions under the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 to allow U.S. export assistance for computers and related equipment supporting the UN's facilitation of the Southern Sudan referendum. The waiver is narrowly tailored to enable the January 2011 independence referendum required by the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 75865

Impact dates

Date TBD
Secretary of State to publish determination in Federal Register

Key directives

Waive application of 22 U.S.C. 7207(a)(1) for export of computers and related equipment
Limit waiver to UN facilitation of Southern Sudan referendum under Comprehensive Peace Agreement
Secretary of State to publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Waiver takes effect upon signing; Secretary of State directed to publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

Export assistance becomes available for referendum-related computer exports
UN referendum facilitation operations proceed with U.S. equipment support

Long term

Supports implementation of Comprehensive Peace Agreement
Contributes to conditions for South Sudan independence (achieved July 2011)

Risks & tensions

Narrowly scoped waiver may face implementation questions about what equipment qualifies as 'related' to computers
Timing pressure: referendum scheduled for January 2011, approximately 7 weeks after signing
Sanctions relief for Sudanese context carries reputational risk given Khartoum government's human rights record
Text does not specify expiration date for waiver, leaving duration uncertain