Crossword Genius

US lawman embraced by star in African country (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sudan

'african country' is the definition.
(country in Africa)

'us lawman embraced by star' is the wordplay.
'us lawman' becomes 'da' (district attorney).
'embraced by' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'star' becomes 'sun' (the Sun is a star).
'da' put within 'sun' is 'SUDAN'.

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for sudan that I've seen before include "Country W. of Ethiopia" , "Country between Egypt and Zaire" , "Country in NE Africa, capital Khartoum" , "Region of Africa" , "African country on the Red Sea" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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