The United States said Tuesday that it was easing long-standing sanctions against Sudan to allow Americans to send an array of communications hardware and software, including smartphones and laptop computers.
The U.S. Treasury Department said the change took effect immediately and also allowed for supplies of radios and digital cameras.
Donald Booth, the U.S. special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, told reporters Tuesday that the changes in the sanctions were "consistent with our commitment to promote freedom of expression through access to communications tools." He also said the changes were aimed at helping Sudanese citizens "integrate in the global digital community."
The U.S. State Department identified the Khartoum government as a state sponsor of terrorism in the 1990s for its support of international terrorist organizations.
Last week, U.S. officials criticized Sudan for failing to allow a United Nations probe of an alleged mass rape last year in Darfur by Sudanese troops.
