Sudan was once among the largest recipients of US security assistance in Africa...before Bashir took power. SST delisting removes one barrier to future security cooperation. Other legal restrictions remain.

US security assistance for Sudan remains restricted based on several human rights & governance-related legal provisions, including the Child Soldiers Prevention Act, the coup provision in annual appropriations, and Sudan-specific provisions.

SST delisting may facilitate some military-to-military engagements (that are not otherwise prohibited by US law), and if reforms continue Sudan may be able to move toward a more normal SC relationship in future years. It won't happen overnight.

Mil-to-mil engagements, including port visits, conferences, and exchanges would be another step toward normalizing relations with the United States. Professional military education, while still legally constrained, would be another step in that direction.

It will be interesting to see how serious Sudan's security forces are about security sector reform - there could be real opportunity for engagement there, if there is political will.

The US still has lessons to learn about SSR as well - its forays in South Sudan provide cautionary tales.