US sanctions Sudan's army chief

 Friday, January 17, 2025

Islamabad (Point News Today / Pakistan Point News - 17th January, 2025 ) The United States on Thursday announced sanctions against the head of the Sudanese armed forces, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

The Sudanese army chief was accused of blocking humanitarian aid and attacking schools, markets and hospitals, fueling the conflict that has created the world's largest displacement crisis.

US imposes sanctions on warring parties in Sudan

The US Treasury Department said in a statement that Burhan "refused to participate in international peace talks to end the war, and has chosen war rather than engage in good faith negotiations and efforts to reduce tensions."

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"Sudan calls US sanctions 'immoral'"

Reacting to the US move, Sudan's military-affiliated Foreign Ministry called the sanctions "immoral" and said they "lack the fundamentals of justice and transparency."

"The ministry also said in a statement that Burhan was "defending the Sudanese people against a genocidal plot."

US, Saudi Arabia urge new ceasefire in Sudan

It added that "claims of neutrality cannot justify poor judgment."

RSF leader also under US sanctions

Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that one of the aims of Thursday's sanctions was to show that the US was not taking sides.

The announcement of the measures against Burhan came a week after Washington imposed sanctions on his rival, Mohamed Hamdan Daqlou, who heads the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

'Sudan is a time bomb for the world that could explode at any time'

The US has accused Daqlou and the RSF of "genocide" in Sudan's Darfur region.

“These sanctions on both make clear the US view that neither individual is fit to govern a future, peaceful Sudan,” outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

Unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Sudan

Sudan has been in the grip of war since April 2023.

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced more than 12 million and pushed millions to the brink of famine.

According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a non-governmental organisation supported by the United Nations, nearly half of Sudan’s population, or more than 24 million people, face “high levels of acute food insecurity.”