Sudan army's 'chemical weapons use' leads to new US sanctions

The U.S. has imposed new sanctions targeting Sudan's military-aligned government following allegations of chemical weapon use during the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The sanctions, effective Monday, restrict Sudan's access to U.S. financing and exports and prohibit state-owned Sudanese airlines from utilizing American airspace. These measures come after the U.S. State Department confirmed earlier this month that Sudanese authorities violated the Chemical Weapons Convention by employing chemical agents in 2024. The alleged attacks occurred during clashes over control of Khartoum, Sudan's capital. Residents in the city of Bahri, one of three Nile-side areas forming the broader Khartoum region, reported the use of chemical weapons in an area where civilians had already evacuated, leaving behind only military personnel and RSF fighters. The RSF has not publicly responded to these claims, a decision analysts suggest aims to safeguard the morale of its forces and deter potential desertions. While the U.S. State Department did not specify the exact chemical used, an investigative report by The New York Times previously identified chlorine as the substance deployed in such attacks. Beyond the chemical weapon allegations, the Sudanese Army is also accused of conducting indiscriminate shelling throughout the three-year conflict with the RSF. This pattern of conduct aligns with historical records of severe human rights violations in previous conflicts, including wars in South Sudan and the western Darfur region. Meanwhile, the RSF faces accusations of ethnically motivated killings, resulting in thousands of deaths, along with reports of sexual violence and extrajudicial executions. In Darfur, an area roughly the size of France under RSF control, a mother of five prepares meals at a shelter amid ongoing humanitarian crises. General Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, head of the Sudanese Army, and General Mohamed Dagalo, commander of the RSF, both face U.S. sanctions for their roles in alleged war crimes. The conflict has unfolded against a backdrop of widespread famine and displacement, with approximately 20 million people facing hunger and around 14 million forced to flee their homes due to the fighting. Over 100,000 individuals have lost their lives in the conflict, according to estimates. The war erupted after prolonged tensions between the two generals over their positions in a proposed democratic Sudan escalated into open hostilities, initially centered in Khartoum before spreading across much of the country. Currently, the Sudanese Army holds control of the capital and surrounding regions, while the RSF maintains influence in parts of neighboring Kordofan and the southern Blue Nile state. Fighting remains concentrated in these areas, with the RSF controlling significant portions of Kordofan. Despite repeated diplomatic efforts by the U.S. and regional actors to broker a ceasefire, negotiations have stalled. General Al Burhan has insisted on continuing the fight until the RSF either surrenders or is defeated. Although the RSF has shown openness to peace discussions, it has refused to acknowledge General Al Burhan's leadership or the legitimacy of his government, a stance that has hindered progress toward a resolution. As the conflict enters its fourth year, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with international calls for urgent intervention growing louder.