In response to the heightening violence against civilians in Sudan, the President issued an Executive Order on November 5, 1997 declaring a national emergency with respect to "the policies and actions of the Government of Sudan."  The order puts restrictions on all Sudanese property and interests in property that are in or may enter the US, including the Central Bank of Sudan.  The order also empowered the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Secretary of State to promulgate rules and regulations to effect the purposes of the order.

The Secretary of the Treasury released regulations on July 1, 1998 to implement the Sudanese sanctions.  These regulations block all Sudanese property within the US or that come into the US, prohibit imports from and exports to Sudan of any and all goods and services, except for information or informational materials or humanitarian aid.  The regulations do not restrict travel, journalistic activity, or communications.

Unfortunately, Sudan is also experiencing a famine that threatens the lives of about 2.6 million people.  The civil unrest in that country, including efforts of the Sudanese government, is hampering humanitarian efforts to ease the suffering there.  Hospitals and feeding centers have been bombed, and the government has blocked food, seeds for planting, and medical supplies from getting to their destinations.

The order may be the precursor to immigration restrictions on Sudanese nationals. Such restrictions have followed the imposition of American sanctions against other countries.