US Imposes Sanctions on Sudan’s Army Chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Over Civilian Atrocities
The Sudanese general faces accusations of deadly attacks on civilians amid ongoing conflict with the RSF
The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Sudan’s Army Chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, accusing him of exacerbating the country’s instability during its ongoing conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.
In a statement released Thursday, the U.S. Treasury Department criticized al-Burhan’s leadership of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which, according to the department, has “committed lethal attacks on civilians,” including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and markets. The SAF is also accused of routinely obstructing humanitarian aid and employing food deprivation as a weapon of war.
This move follows recent sanctions against Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the leader of the RSF, which has been engaged in violent clashes with the SAF since April 2023. The Treasury Department condemned the RSF under Dagalo’s leadership for committing severe human rights violations, including sexual violence and the execution of defenseless civilians and unarmed fighters. Washington has also accused the RSF and its militias of committing genocide in Darfur, in western Sudan.
The ongoing conflict has led to widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of deaths and millions displaced. According to the United Nations, more than 8 million people are internally displaced, and 3 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries. A UN-backed group monitoring global hunger warned in late December that famine is spreading rapidly in Sudan, with parts of Darfur already experiencing famine conditions.
During a press briefing in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned the SAF’s continued targeting of civilians and its obstruction of peace talks. “The Sudanese Armed Forces has refused to participate in ceasefire discussions and, together with the RSF, has caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises,” Blinken said.
He expressed hope that the incoming Trump administration would continue efforts to end the conflict, acknowledging the frustration of not having achieved peace under the current administration.
In a response to the sanctions, al-Burhan remained defiant. “Any sanctions in service of the country, we would welcome them,” he said in an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic earlier Thursday.
As Sudan continues to grapple with the devastating impacts of its internal conflict, the international community remains focused on securing a peaceful resolution and addressing the growing humanitarian needs.