US imposes fresh Sudan-related sanctions, targets Russia-based firm
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The US targets a former Sudanese official and two firms, one of which is located in Russia, with fresh sanctions, under the pretext of increasing Sudan's instability.
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Sudanese anti-coup protesters take part in demonstrations against the military rule in Khartoum, Sudan, on March 24, 2022. (AP)
The US imposed sanctions on a former Sudanese official and two firms, one of which is located in Russia, on Thursday, accusing them of exacerbating Sudan's instability as the ongoing conflict has killed hundreds and displaced millions of civilians.
The sanctions are the most recent in a series placed by Washington after battles broke out in mid-April between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Brian Nelson, the Treasury Department's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated, "Today's action holds accountable those who have undercut efforts to find a peaceful, democratic solution in Sudan."
Read more: Sudan's heartbreaking tragedy; 1,200 children died in camps since May
The Under Secretary vowed that the US would "continue to target actors perpetuating this conflict for personal gain."
The Treasury targeted Ali Karti, a former Foreign Minister under Bashir who became the leader of the Sudanese Islamic Movement after Bashir was deposed in 2019.
GSK Advance firm, a Sudan-based firm that the Treasury claims was utilized as a procurement conduit for the RSF, was also sanctioned.
According to the Treasury, GSK collaborated with Russia-based military supply business Aviatrade, which was also targeted on Thursday, to coordinate the acquisition of parts and supplies, as well as training, for drones previously bought by the RSF.
The head of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and chief of Sudan's Armed Forces, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the leader of the Rapid Support Forces RSF, Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), secretly arrived in Saudi Arabia late last night, signaling that a new round of negotiations is set to begin, Al Arab newspaper reported on Wednesday citing Sudanese sources.
This visit signifies a new attempt by Riyadh to facilitate a truce between the warring parties. Hence, the negotiations are expected to include a ceasefire agreement and a political roadmap between the two parties.
The renewed efforts followed a series of failed truce deals mediated by Saudi Arabia and the US. Previous talks held in Jeddah resulted in a shortly-lived ceasefire between the two parties, which quickly collapsed due to mutual shelling and accusations of violations.
