The Obama administration unveiled a new strategy towards Sudan on Monday, offering its rulers incentives if they relieve the plight of their people but threatening tougher sanctions if they fail to act to establish long-term peace.

Hillary Clinton, secretary of state, called on the ostracised regime of Omar al-Bashir, the president, to end war crimes in the province of Darfur and to move towards implementing a peace agreement between northern and southern Sudan that allows the south to opt for independence.