The United States is poised to impose financial sanctions on SAF chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, intensifying efforts to address human rights abuses amid Sudan’s protracted civil war, according to sources familiar with the matter.
This move follows the recent U.S. designation of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their affiliates as perpetrators of genocide.
In response, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, and seven RSF-linked companies based in the United Arab Emirates.
The sanctions against General al-Burhan aim to demonstrate impartiality by holding both warring factions accountable for atrocities committed during the conflict.
Despite international mediation efforts, including those led by the United States and Saudi Arabia, General al-Burhan’s (SAF) have largely resisted negotiations. Instead, the SAF has intensified its military campaign, recently recapturing the strategic city of Wad Madani from the RSF.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 due to deteriorating relations between the SAF and RSF over plans to integrate the RSF into the military, has resulted in widespread devastation.
Both sides have been accused of committing war crimes, including targeting civilians and obstructing humanitarian aid. Local grassroots initiatives, such as Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs), have emerged to provide essential aid, feeding over 177,000 people daily and maintaining community kitchens and evacuation centers, as international aid organizations face challenges operating in the unsafe conditions.
The impending sanctions against General al-Burhan reflect growing international frustration with Sudan’s leadership as the war continues to devastate the country and derail hopes for a democratic transition.
The United Nations reports that more than 8.6 million people have been forced from their homes, with 18 million facing severe hunger, including five million at emergency levels. The international community remains concerned about the escalating humanitarian crisis and the ongoing suffering of the Sudanese people.