KHARTOUM, SUDAN — The United States will impose new sanctions on Sudan after determining that its military used chemical weapons last year in the ongoing conflict against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the state department has announced.
Restrictions on US exports to Sudan and limits on financial borrowing will be implemented starting June 6th, according to a statement from spokesperson Tammy Bruce. Both the Sudanese military and the RSF have previously faced accusations of war crimes during the two-year-old civil war.
The BBC has reached out to Sudan for a response to these latest US actions, but Sudanese officials have indicated they do not yet have a statement.
The conflict, which erupted when Sudan’s army and the RSF engaged in a violent power struggle, has resulted in the deaths of over 150,000 people. While the Sudanese military has recently regained control of Khartoum, fighting persists in other parts of the country.
Although the specific chemical weapons were not detailed by the US, a New York Times report in January indicated that Sudan had used chlorine gas on at least two occasions. Chlorine gas can cause a range of severe and damaging effects, and can be fatal.
“The United States calls on the government of Sudan to cease all chemical weapons use and uphold its obligations under the CWC,” the statement read, referring to the Chemical Weapons Convention, a treaty under which signatories, including Sudan, commit to destroying their chemical weapon stockpiles. Only a few nations, namely Egypt, North Korea, and South Sudan, have not agreed to the CWC, according to the Arms Control Association. Israel has signed but not ratified the agreement.
“The United States remains fully committed to hold to account those responsible for contributing to chemical weapons proliferation,” Bruce added. This marks the latest in a series of US sanctions against Sudan. In January, sanctions were imposed on leaders from both sides of the conflict.
Sudan’s military leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, was previously accused by the US of “destabilising Sudan and undermining the goal of a democratic transition,” a charge the Sudanese foreign ministry described as “strange and troubling.”
Simultaneously, the head of the RSF, Mohammed Hamdan Daglo, also known as Hemedti, was determined by former Secretary of State Antony Blinken to have perpetrated genocide in the country, allegations the RSF denies.
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The two rival forces have been engaged in a power struggle for the past two years, leading to the displacement of approximately 12 million people and leaving 25 million in need of food aid. According to AFP news agency, these new sanctions may have limited additional impact due to prior measures already in place.
This recent move by the US comes amidst heightened tensions surrounding the alleged involvement of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the conflict.
While the UAE and Sudan maintained diplomatic ties until earlier this month, the Sudanese government has accused the UAE of providing arms to the RSF, an accusation the UAE denies. Following a warm reception for US President Donald Trump in the Gulf state last week, some Democrats in Congress sought to block US arms sales to the UAE, partly due to its alleged role in the Sudanese conflict.
A Sudanese diplomatic source told Reuters that the US imposed these new sanctions “to distract from the recent campaign in Congress against the UAE.” Earlier this month, a top UN court rejected Sudan’s attempt to sue the UAE for genocide.
