CAIRO — As talks commenced between Washington and Khartoum to lift American economic sanctions on Sudan, imposed in 1997 after Sudan was listed as a state sponsor of terrorism, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour told Al-Monitor that channels of dialogue and communication between Sudan and the United States would continue on all levels to reform ties.

However, he did not confirm any tangible results that could be announced yet, despite the positive indicators circulating among Sudanese politicians ever since Washington announced the partial lifting of economic sanctions on Sudan by allowing Khartoum to import communication devices, software and technologies in February 2015.

Al-Monitor interviewed Ghandour on Oct. 6 after the Supreme Egyptian-Sudanese Committee ended its session. “Sudan is keen on being transparent with the international and regional community concerning the situation in Darfur,” Ghandour told Al-Monitor. He denied that the United Nations requested the launching of an investigation on the use of chemical weapons in Darfur, and he condemned France’s request to begin an investigation into this issue. “No one will come to Sudan without being invited,” Ghandour said.

He also said negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam have "included political pledges that Ethiopia will not enjoy the benefits of the dam if Egypt or Sudan are subject to any harm."