The United States has sanctioned Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the chair of Sudan's Sovereign Council, as part of its ongoing efforts to address the conflict and instability in Sudan, the Treasury Department announced on Thursday.

This move comes shortly after similar sanctions were imposed on January 7 against Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, the leader of the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

"Burhan is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14098, for being a foreign person who is or has been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of the SAF, an entity that has, or whose members have, engaged in actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Sudan relating to the tenure of such leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors," the Treasury stated.

The US Treasury accused the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), which al-Burhan leads, of carrying out deadly attacks on civilians, including airstrikes targeting schools, hospitals, and markets.

The sanctions also target Ahmad Abdalla, a Sudanese-Ukrainian official associated with SAF's procurement branch, Defense Industries System, along with Portex Trade Limited, a Hong Kong-based company controlled by Abdalla.

Golden conflict

Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since April 2023, marked by intense conflict between the SAF and RSF. This brutal power struggle has resulted in over 24,000 deaths and displaced more than 14 million people, creating one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. 

Both factions have been accused of war crimes, including attacks on civilians and infrastructure. The situation is further complicated by Sudan's gold resources, which both sides exploit to finance their military campaigns, drawing international scrutiny.

The US has imposed sanctions on both al-Burhan and Hemedti, reflecting an attempt to pressure both factions toward peace while avoiding explicit support for either leader. On January 7, Hemedti and the RSF were sanctioned for human rights violations, and today, al-Burhan and SAF-linked entities, including a procurement network tied to Ahmad Abdalla, faced similar measures. 

Al-Burhan is closely aligned with Egypt, which views Sudan as a key partner in Nile water disputes, while Hemedti has garnered backing from the UAE, leveraging his control over Sudan's gold trade. These alliances pit two major US partners—Egypt and the UAE—against each other, complicating the US's ability to take a decisive stance.

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