The United states extended sanctions on Sudan for another year on Tuesday, stating that Khartoum's policies on human rights and relations with South Sudan, had not improved enough to warrant the lifting of sanctions.
Sanctions on trade, investment and the holding of assets by Sudanese government officials, were introduce in 1997.
The US offered the lifting of sanction if Sudan cooporated with the referendum and independence of South Sudan earlier this year.
Despite South Sudan's declaration of independence however, Sudanese government forces have been responsible for violence in the Blue nile, South Kordofan and Abyei states.
US officials have also highlighted the lack of progress in the Western Darfur region, where the Sudan's brutal suppression of a non-Arab rebellion has been deemed a genocide.
Washington lifted sanctions on South Sudan in order to assist the economic development of the newly formed country.
Sudan's foreign ministry condemned the US' extension of the sanctions,
"The government of Sudan strongly condemns the renewal of these sanctions,"
"The sanctions imposed by the U.S. administration are political sanctions which were and still are aimed at damaging Sudan's vital interests by hindering development ambitions and plans to fight poverty."
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