US to impose sanctions on Sudan over use of chemical weapons in 2024 conflict

The US will impose sanctions on Sudan after determining that its government deployed chemical weapons during last year’s conflict between the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the State Department announced on May 22.

According to department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the measures, which include restrictions on US exports and government lines of credit, are expected to come into effect around June 6, following notification to Congress, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

She urged the Sudanese government to halt the use of chemical weapons and comply with its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

Sudan’s foreign ministry has yet to respond to requests for comment.

The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023 amid a power struggle between the army and the RSF, triggering widespread ethnic violence, creating a severe humanitarian crisis, and leading to famine in several regions. Tens of thousands have died, and approximately 13 million people have been displaced.

In January, the US sanctioned army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for prioritising war over peace negotiations. Sanctions have also been imposed on RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, and other allied militia members, whom Washington has accused of genocide.

According to a New York Times report in January, citing US officials, Sudanese forces used chemical weapons, reportedly chlorine gas, on at least two occasions in remote parts of the country. The US State Department confirmed on April 24, under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991, that Sudan’s government used chemical weapons last year, though it did not specify the exact locations or timing.

Bruce reaffirmed the US commitment to hold accountable those responsible for chemical weapons proliferation.

A Sudanese diplomatic source dismissed the sanctions as a distraction from US congressional scrutiny of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing Washington of failing to pursue an investigation through the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Sudan recently severed diplomatic ties with the UAE, accusing the Gulf state of supplying advanced weaponry to the RSF amid the ongoing conflict. The UAE denies these claims and insists it supports humanitarian and peace efforts.

Last week, US congressional Democrats attempted to block arms sales to the UAE over its alleged involvement in the Sudanese conflict.

Sudan also accused the UAE of conducting a recent attack on Port Sudan, marking the first direct military allegations against the Gulf nation, which the UAE has denied, condemning the incident.

By Aghakazim Guliyev