The United States has sanctioned Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan for exacerbating the civil conflict, which has led to civilian casualties and widespread hunger. These sanctions come alongside those against Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The U.S. Treasury allowed for some humanitarian transactions despite the sanctions. Sudan’s foreign ministry criticized the U.S. move and accused it of displaying injustice.
The United States has imposed sanctions on Sudan’s leader, Army Chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, accusing him of escalating the ongoing conflict that has resulted in significant civilian casualties. The U.S. Treasury cited Burhan’s tactics, including indiscriminate bombardments and attacks on infrastructure, schools, and hospitals, as especially problematic. This announcement follows previous sanctions against his rival, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the paramilitary commander. Burhan expressed defiance regarding the sanctions, asserting they would be welcomed as a service to the nation.
In addition to targeting Burhan, the United States sanctioned a Sudanese-Ukrainian individual and a Hong Kong company for supplying weapons to the Sudanese army. These actions will freeze the assets of the concerned parties in the U.S. and limit American transactions with them. However, the Treasury has allowed certain humanitarian aid-related transactions to continue, balancing sanctions with humanitarian needs.
The civil unrest began after the military coup in 2021, leading to confrontations between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The ongoing conflict, which erupted further in April 2023, has caused widespread hunger among the Sudanese populace. Dagalo has received sanctions for genocide and attacks against civilians, while the RSF has been implicated in violent looting.
Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the U.S. sanctions as indicative of confusion and injustice, alleging that the U.S. is shielding the RSF’s actions. Despite multiple attempts by international actors, including the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, to facilitate peace negotiations, the army has largely rebuffed these initiatives. Recent weeks have seen escalated military engagements, including the capture of key cities amid continued allegations of war crimes against both warring factions.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken regretted the challenges faced in resolving the conflict during his tenure. Although some humanitarian assistance has been facilitated, systemic abuses and suffering persist in Sudan, as highlighted by Blinken’s remarks on the need for continued diplomatic efforts. He emphasized the hope for progress under subsequent administrations to address the tumultuous situation in Sudan.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan, primarily a struggle for power between military factions, intensified following a coup in 2021. The situation plummeted further with rising military engagements leading to humanitarian crises. The U.S. government aims to balance sanctions against Sudanese leaders with the necessity of ensuring humanitarian aid reaches affected populations, while also holding military leaders accountable for their actions in the conflict. International efforts to reconnect both sides for peaceful negotiations have met with resistance, highlighting the complex dynamics of military power struggles in Sudan.
The recent sanctions imposed by the United States against Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, alongside sanctions on other individuals and entities, underline a critical stance against ongoing conflict and human rights violations in Sudan. As the situation deteriorates, the international community continues its efforts to negotiate a resolution while managing humanitarian support for affected civilians amidst the escalating violence and complexities of power struggles.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
