WASHINGTON — On Thursday, the U.S. government announced sanctions targeting the leader of Sudan’s military, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. These measures were instituted due to allegations that he has been obstructing humanitarian assistance while conducting airstrikes on vital public facilities, such as hospitals, schools, and markets. This ongoing conflict is part of a broader war with an armed rival, contributing to a severe famine and resulting in the largest displacement crisis globally.
The sanctions were revealed by the Treasury Department, representing one of the final moves by the Biden administration to wield financial penalties in a bid to influence the actions of foreign leaders. These latest sanctions come on the heels of penalties imposed earlier this month against Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, who leads Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and is engaged in nearly two years of conflict with Burhan.
The hostilities ignited in April 2023 and have since escalated from Khartoum to various regions within the country. Reports from the United Nations and human rights organizations indicate that the conflict has been punctuated by severe abuses, including targeted ethnic killings and sexual violence. Both factions involved have been accused of impeding necessary aid intended for civilians suffering amidst the turmoil.
This fight for power has claimed over 24,000 lives, pushing more than 14 million individuals—about 30% of Sudan’s population—from their residences, as reported by the United Nations. Approximately 3.2 million Sudanese have fled to neighboring nations such as Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan. The rising number of deaths due to famine has led to formal declarations of starvation across five areas within Sudan.
In addition, the International Criminal Court is investigating allegations of war crimes and various violations of human rights in the region. The ongoing U.S. sanctions are intended to disrupt arms supplies to Sudan and hold military leaders accountable for what the Treasury Department describes as their “blatant disregard for civilian lives.” Furthermore, the U.S. imposed sanctions on a top arms dealer associated with Burhan’s forces.
In a separate development, the U.S. also initiated sanctions against members of networks alleged to be exploiting thousands of North Korean internet-technology workers abroad. This action is part of an initiative to curb revenue generation for the North Korean government and military. The sanctions specifically target a weapons-trading entity from North Korea, two companies purported to be operational in Laos, and the associates of these organizations, along with a Chinese firm suspected of providing North Korea with essential electronic equipment.
