The United States has announced it will impose strict sanctions on Sudan after officially determining that it’s government used chemical weapons during its ongoing conflict. This decision was made public by the US State Department on Thursday, with spokesperson Tammy Bruce delivering the statement. The chemical weapons were reportedly used in 2024 during fighting between Sudan’s army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), headed by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti.
The sanctions will include limits on exports from the US to Sudan and restrictions on US government loans or credit lines to the country. These measures are expected to start around June 6, following the required notification to the US Congress.
The US government has called on Sudan to immediately stop using chemical weapons and follow the rules set by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The CWC is an international treaty that bans the use of chemical weapons because of how dangerous and harmful they are to people.
Sudan’s government has not yet responded publicly to the US announcement.
Mexican Cartel Commanders Labeled Terrorists: U.S. Slaps Heavy Sanctions on CDN’s Top Enforcers
Background: The Conflict and Chemical Weapons Use
The war in Sudan began in April 2023. It started because of a fight for power between the official Sudanese army, led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. This battle has caused huge problems, including widespread violence, ethnic clashes, and a severe humanitarian crisis. Millions of people have been forced to leave their homes, and many are suffering from famine.
Earlier this year, the US had already imposed sanctions on Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, accusing him of choosing war over peace talks. The US has also said that members of the RSF and some of its leaders, including General Dagalo, have committed serious crimes such as genocide and imposed sanctions on them as well.
Reports from US officials suggest that Sudan’s army used chemical weapons at least twice in remote areas. The chemical weapon likely involved chlorine gas, which can cause lasting damage to human tissue.
On April 24, the US formally confirmed under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 that Sudan’s government used chemical weapons in 2024. However, the US did not share exact details about what weapons were used, or where and when the attacks happened.
U.S. Sanctions Cuban Judges Behind ‘Sham Trial’ of Dissident Luis Robles for Human Rights Abuses
The US government said it is committed to holding those responsible for using chemical weapons accountable.
Sudan, UAE, and Regional Tensions
The US sanctions announcement comes amid rising tensions between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The country recently cut diplomatic relations with the UAE, accusing the Gulf nation of supporting the RSF by sending advanced weapons. The UAE denies these claims and says it only supports peace efforts and humanitarian aid.
A Sudanese diplomatic source suggested that the US sanctions decision was partly meant to distract from recent efforts by US lawmakers to block arms sales to the UAE because of its role in the Sudan conflict. The source also criticized the US for not asking the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to investigate the chemical weapons claims properly.
Sudan has also blamed the UAE for a recent attack on Port, accusing the Gulf state of directly intervening in the war. The UAE strongly denied the accusation and condemned the attack.
