The United States is set to introduce new sanctions on Sudan after confirming the use of chemical weapons last year in the ongoing conflict between Sudan’s military and the Rapid Support Forces, the State Department announced.
From June 6, the US will impose restrictions on exports to Sudan and limit its ability to borrow funds, according to a statement by spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
Both the Sudanese army and the RSF have faced previous allegations of war crimes during the conflict.
The BBC reached out to Sudan for comment on the US sanctions, but Sudanese officials stated they have no response at this time.
The conflict, which began two years ago with a fierce power struggle between the Sudanese military and the RSF, has claimed over 150,000 lives.
While the military has recently regained control of the capital, Khartoum, fighting persists in other regions.
Though no specifics were given on the chemical weapons identified by the US, a January report from the New York Times revealed Sudan had deployed chlorine gas on two occasions, an agent known for causing severe pain and potentially fatal injuries.
“The United States calls on the government of Sudan to cease all chemical weapons use and uphold its obligations under the CWC,” the statement said, referencing the Chemical Weapons Convention, which commits signatories to eliminate their chemical weapons stockpiles.
Nearly all countries, including Sudan, have ratified the CWC, with the exception of Egypt, North Korea, and South Sudan, according to the US-based Arms Control Association. Israel has signed but not ratified the treaty.
“The United States remains fully committed to hold to account those responsible for contributing to chemical weapons proliferation,” Bruce added.
This announcement follows previous US sanctions imposed in January against leaders from both sides of the conflict.
The US accused Sudan’s military leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, of “destabilising Sudan and undermining the goal of a democratic transition,” a charge the Sudanese foreign ministry called “strange and troubling.”
Additionally, former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has declared RSF head Mohammed Hamdan Daglo, also known as Hemedti, responsible for genocide in Sudan.
The conflict has displaced around 12 million people and left 25 million in need of food assistance—more than twice the population of London.
According to AFP, these new sanctions are unlikely to have much impact due to existing measures already in place.
The US move has also heightened tensions surrounding the United Arab Emirates’ role in the conflict.
The UAE and Sudan had maintained diplomatic relations until recently when Sudan accused the UAE of supplying arms to the RSF, a claim the UAE denies.
Following President Donald Trump’s warm welcome in the Gulf last week, Democratic lawmakers in the US Congress pushed to block arms sales to the UAE partly over these allegations.
A Sudanese diplomatic source told Reuters the sanctions were imposed by the US “to distract from the recent campaign in Congress against the UAE.”
Earlier in May, Sudan’s attempt to sue the UAE for genocide was dismissed by a leading UN court.