U.S. Sanctions Against Sudanese Army Chief Escalate International Pressure Amid Ongoing Civil War
Washington targets General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan following similar measures against rival RSF commander in Sudan's deepening conflict.
In a significant move that underscores growing international pressure on Sudan's warring factions, the United States has imposed financial sanctions on Sudan's Army Chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
This decision, disclosed on Thursday by sources to Reuters, follows closely on the heels of sanctions imposed on his adversary, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The sanctions have been introduced as a part of the U.S.'s broader strategy to maintain neutrality in the complex civil war that has ravaged Sudan since April 2023. These measures are grounded in allegations that General al-Burhan's forces have targeted civilian populations and infrastructure, obstructed humanitarian assistance, and rebuffed peace talks, including notable negotiations last year orchestrated by both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
In a public address to military personnel, aired by Al Jazeera on Thursday, General al-Burhan appeared undeterred by the sanctions.
'I hear there’s going to be sanctions on the army leadership.
We welcome any sanctions for serving this country,' he stated, signaling a defiant stance despite the mounting pressures.
Notably, neither the Sudanese army nor the RSF has officially commented on the sanctions.
Additionally, the U.S. State and Treasury Departments have yet to release detailed statements regarding the move.
The civil war in Sudan, which originally sprang from a split between former allies in the 2021 coup that dismantled the civilian government, has led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, forced millions into displacement, and left nearly half of Sudan's population facing severe hunger.
The rivalry between the regular army and the paramilitary RSF, fueled by a disagreement over an attempted integration plan, has devolved into intense and destructive confrontations.
The army, led by General al-Burhan, recently made strategic gains by seizing the city of Wad Madani, with an aim to regain control of the capital, Khartoum.
However, allegations of human rights violations have marred these advances.
Accusations against the army include indiscriminate aerial bombings and retaliatory attacks against civilians, particularly highlighted by this week's reported incidents in Wad Madani.
The RSF, already sanctioned for alleged genocide and mass looting, shares similar accusations of violent misconduct and atrocities.
Efforts to mediate the conflict, spearheaded by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, have yet to yield a ceasefire or peace agreement.
Despite convening for peace talks, including those held in Geneva last August, both factions have generally opted to escalate military actions rather than pursue negotiations.
Reports from human rights organizations corroborate claims of war crimes by both factions, exacerbating the dire humanitarian conditions and complicating international diplomatic efforts to broker peace in the region.
This decision, disclosed on Thursday by sources to Reuters, follows closely on the heels of sanctions imposed on his adversary, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The sanctions have been introduced as a part of the U.S.'s broader strategy to maintain neutrality in the complex civil war that has ravaged Sudan since April 2023. These measures are grounded in allegations that General al-Burhan's forces have targeted civilian populations and infrastructure, obstructed humanitarian assistance, and rebuffed peace talks, including notable negotiations last year orchestrated by both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.
In a public address to military personnel, aired by Al Jazeera on Thursday, General al-Burhan appeared undeterred by the sanctions.
'I hear there’s going to be sanctions on the army leadership.
We welcome any sanctions for serving this country,' he stated, signaling a defiant stance despite the mounting pressures.
Notably, neither the Sudanese army nor the RSF has officially commented on the sanctions.
Additionally, the U.S. State and Treasury Departments have yet to release detailed statements regarding the move.
The civil war in Sudan, which originally sprang from a split between former allies in the 2021 coup that dismantled the civilian government, has led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, forced millions into displacement, and left nearly half of Sudan's population facing severe hunger.
The rivalry between the regular army and the paramilitary RSF, fueled by a disagreement over an attempted integration plan, has devolved into intense and destructive confrontations.
The army, led by General al-Burhan, recently made strategic gains by seizing the city of Wad Madani, with an aim to regain control of the capital, Khartoum.
However, allegations of human rights violations have marred these advances.
Accusations against the army include indiscriminate aerial bombings and retaliatory attacks against civilians, particularly highlighted by this week's reported incidents in Wad Madani.
The RSF, already sanctioned for alleged genocide and mass looting, shares similar accusations of violent misconduct and atrocities.
Efforts to mediate the conflict, spearheaded by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, have yet to yield a ceasefire or peace agreement.
Despite convening for peace talks, including those held in Geneva last August, both factions have generally opted to escalate military actions rather than pursue negotiations.
Reports from human rights organizations corroborate claims of war crimes by both factions, exacerbating the dire humanitarian conditions and complicating international diplomatic efforts to broker peace in the region.
