The U.S. has sanctioned Sudan’s army chief, Burhan, for military actions in a civil war that has caused mass casualties and displacements. This follows sanctions on his rival, Dagalo, amid ongoing violence. The actions target support networks for the army while allowing humanitarian efforts. The conflict exacerbates Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, with both factions facing accusations of grave abuses.
The United States has enacted sanctions against Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the chief of Sudan’s army, after accusing him of prioritizing military action over negotiations, contributing to a civil war that has resulted in significant casualties and displacement. The U.S. Treasury Department highlighted Burhan’s leadership in the army’s use of indiscriminate force, including bombings that target civilian infrastructure, alongside extrajudicial killings.
These sanctions follow the earlier restrictions imposed on Burhan’s rival, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, who leads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Sources indicate that the sanctions aim to convey that the U.S. is not favoring either side in the ongoing conflict. Burhan expressed a defiant stance about the sanctions during an Al Jazeera broadcast, claiming they would not deter him from serving the country.
Additionally, the sanctions extend to entities involved in supplying weapons to the Sudanese army, targeting a Sudanese-Ukrainian individual and a company based in Hong Kong. These measures will freeze the assets of these entities in the U.S. and restrict American involvement with them, although some authorizations will allow specific humanitarian transactions to continue.
The army and RSF, previously allies in a coup that ousted Sudan’s civilian government in 2021, have since entered into a violent conflict, exacerbated by a failed integration plan. The civil war, which ignited in April 2023, has led to widespread famine affecting approximately half of Sudan’s population.
Following his sanctions, Dagalo faces accusations of genocide, alongside extensive civilian attacks by his forces. The RSF’s history is marred by violent looting and brutality against civilians. In response to the latest U.S. sanctions, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry criticized them as reflective of confusion and unjust biases towards the RSF’s actions.
Efforts led by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia to mediate negotiations have been largely rejected by the army, who has escalated military operations instead, recently capturing the strategic city of Wad Madani. Various accounts from residents and rights advocates accuse the army of conducting indiscriminate airstrikes and violent reprisals against civilians, establishing a pattern of war crimes by both factions.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken remarked on the inability to resolve the conflict during his tenure, expressing regret for the ongoing violence and suffering in Sudan. While recognizing strides made in humanitarian assistance, Blinken confirmed that serious abuses continue, vowing to maintain diplomatic efforts until the conflict ceases.
The civil war in Sudan, ongoing since April 2023, has originated from tensions between military factions, particularly the Sudanese army and the RSF. The humanitarian crisis has escalated due to intense fighting and a power struggle following a 2021 coup that overthrew civilian leadership. An estimated tens of thousands have died, and millions have been displaced, prompting international responses, including sanctions aimed at those perpetuating violence and obstructing peace efforts.
In summary, the U.S. has imposed sanctions on Sudan’s army chief and associated entities, reflecting a robust response to violent actions amid a devastating civil war. The ongoing conflict has led to severe humanitarian crises, with mounting international pressure for negotiations. The situation is further complicated by the historical alliance and subsequent rivalry between the army and RSF, both implicated in war crimes against civilians.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
