Faith Nyasuguta
The United States has imposed sanctions on Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, accusing him of prioritizing conflict over negotiations in a civil war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions.
The US Treasury Department stated that under Burhan’s leadership, the army has employed tactics such as indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas, attacks on schools, markets, hospitals, and extrajudicial killings.
This move follows similar sanctions last week against Burhan’s rival, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Both men have been at the center of a civil war that erupted in April 2023 after their forces turned against each other following a 2021 coup that ousted Sudan’s civilian government.
Sanctions Details
The sanctions freeze any US-based assets of those targeted and prohibit Americans from conducting business with them. Additionally, Washington sanctioned a Sudanese-Ukrainian national and a Hong Kong-based company accused of supplying weapons to the Sudanese army. However, exemptions were issued to ensure humanitarian assistance is not disrupted.
The US Treasury emphasized the importance of holding both sides accountable, aiming to show neutrality in the conflict. “These actions target individuals and entities that perpetuate violence and undermine peace efforts,” the department said.
Burhan, responding to reports of impending sanctions, remained defiant. Speaking on Al Jazeera, he said, “We welcome any sanctions for serving this country.”
Humanitarian Crisis & War Crimes
The conflict has plunged half of Sudan’s population into hunger. The RSF has been accused of genocide, attacks on civilians, and looting in areas it controls, while the army faces allegations of indiscriminate airstrikes and recent revenge attacks in the strategic city of Wad Madani, which it captured this week.
Both the army and RSF have been accused of war crimes by US officials and rights groups. The US and Saudi Arabia have repeatedly attempted to mediate, but negotiations have failed, including August talks in Geneva aimed at easing humanitarian access.
The Sudanese Foreign Ministry condemned the latest US sanctions, describing them as a sign of “confusion and weak justice.” The ministry also accused Washington of siding with the RSF and defending genocide.
Diplomatic Frustration
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed regret over the lack of progress in ending the conflict during his tenure, which is set to end with the incoming administration. He acknowledged some improvements in facilitating humanitarian aid but admitted that the fighting, abuses, and suffering persist.
“We’ll keep working here for the next three days, and I hope the next administration will take this on as well,” Blinken stated.
The Sudanese war, which erupted after a power struggle between Burhan and Hemedti, has devastated the nation, leaving millions homeless and destroying infrastructure. International efforts to bring peace remain ongoing but face significant challenges due to the deep-rooted animosity between the warring factions.
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