The recent U.S. Treasury sanctions against Sudanese army leader (SAF) General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan are a “significant political blow,” according to Ayoub Nahar, an advisor to Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), leader of the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
In an exclusive interview with Eram News, Nahar suggested the sanctions hold deep implications for Sudan’s political landscape, warning that Burhan’s continued defiance of international calls for peace could trigger further global actions.
“These sanctions send a message with far-reaching consequences,” Nahar said, highlighting the international community’s growing scrutiny of Sudan’s crisis. He also noted the measures could intensify pressure on Burhan if he persists in rejecting peace efforts.
The U.S. Treasury recently accused Burhan’s forces of orchestrating deadly civilian attacks, including airstrikes on schools, markets, and hospitals, and using humanitarian aid as a weapon of war, worsening the country’s dire humanitarian situation.
Nahar stressed that the sanctions’ tangible impact would limit Burhan’s diplomatic channels, arms supplies, and financial transactions. He argued the penalties are designed to weaken Burhan’s capacity to continue his military-led governance, potentially opening up pathways to peace.
However, Nahar expressed doubts that the sanctions alone would persuade Burhan to negotiate, attributing his stance to the influence of the Islamist Movement (Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood). “Burhan is following the same path as ousted President Omar al-Bashir,” Nahar said. “His approach is contradictory, and he continues to ignore international pressures, leaving him with few options.”
Broader U.S. Strategy
U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo outlined the broader objectives of the sanctions, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to ending the Sudanese conflict. He emphasized that the U.S. would continue leveraging all tools at its disposal to disrupt the flow of arms to Sudan and hold those accountable for endangering civilian lives.
One individual sanctioned is Ahmed Abdallah, a Sudanese-Ukrainian defense official accused of facilitating arms procurement for Burhan’s military. Abdallah, who works for Portex Trade Limited, is alleged to have arranged the purchase of Iranian-made drones from an Azerbaijani company for delivery to Sudan.
The sanctions also target entities and individuals involved in the illicit arms trade supporting Burhan’s forces (SAF), forming part of a wider strategy to destabilize Sudan’s war economy and encourage peace.
Since the October 2021 coup that interrupted Sudan’s democratic transition, Burhan has resisted international calls for a return to civilian rule, choosing military escalation instead. The ongoing conflict between Burhan’s SAF and Dagalo’s RSF has resulted in widespread civilian casualties and displacement, with both sides facing accusations of committing human rights violations.
As global pressure increases, the sanctions reflect the urgency of resolving Sudan’s crisis and restoring its democratic path. However, it remains unclear whether this latest move will alter the trajectory of the ongoing conflict.