In a significant move aimed at curbing ongoing military conflict in Sudan, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan. In its announcement, the Treasury emphasized Al-Burhan’s preference for “war over good-faith negotiation and de-escalation,” a position that has reportedly contributed to the escalating crisis in Sudan.
The sanctions extend to Ahmad Abdalla, a Sudanese-Ukranian national, noted for his involvement in procuring weapons for the SAF’s Defense Industries System (DIAS). Abdalla’s company, Portex Trade Limited, is also a target of the newly imposed measures. The implications of OFAC’s actions are substantive, mandating the blocking and reporting of all US-held assets belonging to these designated persons, as well as restricting transactions involving related blocked properties.
This action aligns with Executive Order 14098, signed by President Joe Biden in 2023. Under this order, OFAC has the authority to sanction individuals deemed as threatening to peace and democracy in Sudan. The violations carry potential civil or criminal penalties as per US Code of Federal Regulations.
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, determined that members of the SAF had committed war crimes, a finding deeply rooted in allegations of civilian executions, the use of starvation tactics, and the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid. Blinken’s statement denouncing Al-Burhan and Abdalla underlined the US’s stance that these individuals are unfit to lead the country towards peace.
Sudan’s current crisis, described by the United Nations (UN) as a “crisis of staggering scale and cruelty”, continues to spiral. Reports of famine and rampant attacks on civilians exacerbate the humanitarian plight. International organizations have urged the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to halt hostilities and permit access to aid for Sudan’s devastated populations.