NAIROBI (Reuters) – Sudanese leader and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is set to face sanctions by the United States on Thursday, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the matter who informed Reuters.
Two of the sources revealed that the sanctions, which are being imposed shortly after sanctions were placed on al-Burhan’s opponent in the ongoing conflict earlier this month, are intended to demonstrate a balanced approach in targeting both sides involved in the conflict. The aim is to urge a return to civilian governance in Sudan.
At the time of reporting, the Sudanese army had not responded to a request for comment, and representatives from the U.S. State and Treasury departments were also yet to comment.
The Sudanese army, in conjunction with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), orchestrated a coup in 2021 that removed civilian leadership in Sudan. However, their alliance faltered less than two years later due to disagreements over plans to merge their respective forces.
The conflict that erupted in April 2023 has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, displacement of millions, and widespread food insecurity affecting half the country’s population.
According to one of the sources, a diplomat, the sanctions are being imposed due to several reasons, including the Sudanese Armed Forces’ (SAF) deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure. Additionally, the SAF has obstructed humanitarian aid access and refused to engage in peace negotiations last year.
(Reporting by David Lewis; additional contributions by Khalid Abdelaziz and Daphne Psaledakis; writing by Nafisa Eltahir; Editing by William Maclean and Ros Russell)
