The United States has slapped stringent sanctions on Sudan’s Armed Forces chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, accusing him of aggravating the country’s ongoing conflict and refusing to help peace efforts. The battle in Sudan, a country in Northeast Africa, has caused enormous misery, with tens of thousands of people slain, millions forced to flee their homes, and a severe humanitarian crisis affecting the entire region.
Sudan has been at war since April 2023, with General Burhan’s Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) fighting a rival organization, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by General Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa. According to US officials, Sudan is now experiencing the world’s biggest humanitarian disaster as a result of its deadly war for power.
Atrocities and Humanitarian Suffering in Sudan
The United States has accused the Sudanese Armed Forces of perpetrating several atrocities while under General Burhan’s command. Secretary of State Antony Blinken singled out activities like targeting civilians, destroying critical infrastructure, and using famine as a weapon of war. He added that over 25 million Sudanese people are currently facing severe food shortages, with over 600,000 experiencing famine.
The ongoing conflict has also made it practically hard to get humanitarian aid to individuals in severe need. The SAF has been accused of purposely preventing the delivery of essential food and supplies, exacerbating millions’ misery.
This is not the United States’ first action in Sudan. In December 2023, the United States announced that both sides of the fight had committed war crimes. However, since then, the SAF, led by Burhan, has continued its campaign of violence and obstruction, causing the US to implement these additional restrictions.
Details of the Sanctions
The US sanctions against General Burhan and his allies are intended to cut them off from the global financial system. This means that any property or financial assets owned by sanctioned people in the United States will be frozen. Furthermore, US businesses and citizens are not permitted to do any transactions with them.
The sanctions also targeted Ahmad Abdalla, a Sudanese-Ukrainian businessman who is accused of illegally attempting to purchase weapons for the Sudanese Armed Forces. Abdalla’s Hong Kong-based company, Portex Trade, was also blacklisted. These tactics are part of a larger US campaign to impair the SAF’s capacity to conduct military operations.
Burhan’s punishments were announced just two weeks after similar measures were imposed on his adversary, RSF leader General Mohammad Hamdan. Both men have been accused of atrocities, including war crimes and, in Hamdan’s case, genocide.
Background of the Conflict
Sudan has been in instability for years, but the present conflict erupted following a collapse in relations between Burhan and Hamdan, who were formerly comrades. In 2019, Sudan’s long-time ruler, Omar al-Bashir, was deposed in a coup backed by citizen protesters. This gave many Sudanese people hope for a democratic administration.
However, in 2021, Burhan and Hamdan conducted another coup, seizing control of the country together. Their alliance didn’t last long, as power struggles escalated into a full-fledged war in April 2023. Since then, both sides have been engaged in a bloody struggle for control of Sudan, with civilians bearing the brunt of the cost.
The United States has attempted to broker peace talks to resolve the conflict, including holding cease-fire talks in Switzerland in August 2024. While the RSF agreed to participate, Burhan declined, complicating efforts to bring peace to the region.
These penalties underscore the United States’ commitment to bringing individuals responsible for the Sudan situation accountable. By targeting both warring leaders, the US hopes to put pressure on them to end their violent campaigns and prioritise the Sudanese people’s well-being.
