Outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed regret on Thursday over the failure to end the ongoing war in Sudan, acknowledging the devastating impact of the conflict on the Sudanese people.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the General Abdel Fattah al Burhan-controlled SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people.
“It is for me, yes, another real regret that when it comes to Sudan, we haven’t been able on our watch to get to that day of success,” Blinken said at a farewell news conference.
He acknowledged the limitations of US efforts, stating that while some progress has been made in delivering humanitarian assistance, the conflict continues unabated, and the Sudanese people continue to suffer.
In a separate move, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Burhan for the military’s “lethal attacks” against civilians.
The Treasury Department accused Burhan’s army of targeting schools, markets, and hospitals, denying humanitarian access, and employing the use of starvation as a tactic of war.
The humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to worsen, with over 24.6 million people facing acute food insecurity.