Faith Nyasuguta
The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on Sudan following a determination that the Sudanese military used chemical weapons during its ongoing civil war. These actions violate international law and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which Sudan is a party to.
The U.S. State Department confirmed that the sanctions will take effect around June 6, 2025, after a 15-day notification period to Congress. The penalties include restrictions on exports to Sudan and limits on Sudan’s access to U.S. government credit lines.
Washington invoked the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 to enforce the sanctions. The act is triggered when a foreign government is found to have used chemical or biological weapons. “Sudan must cease all chemical weapons use and meet its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention,” said a State Department official.
This move follows previous U.S. sanctions targeting Sudanese military leaders for their role in fueling the conflict. In January, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces, was sanctioned for rejecting peace negotiations and opting for continued warfare.
Sudan’s civil war, which began in April 2023, has devastated the country. Tens of thousands have died, and millions have been displaced, creating what the United Nations has described as one of the worst humanitarian crises globally.
The conflict, originally a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has evolved into a complex proxy war. External actors such as Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have all reportedly taken sides or supplied arms.
In April, UAE state media revealed that officials had intercepted an illegal arms shipment linked to Sudanese military figures. Nearly five million rounds of ammunition were found on a private jet at an undisclosed airport, sparking multiple arrests.
The international community has expressed growing concern over Sudan’s conduct, particularly with the alleged use of banned weapons. Human rights organizations have called for independent investigations and accountability.
The U.S. has stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and may take further action if violations continue. For now, these sanctions signal a firm stance against chemical warfare in Africa’s deadliest ongoing conflict.
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