US Sanctions Sudan’s Army Chief Burhan Over Civilian Deaths and Humanitarian Atrocities

The United States has imposed sanctions on Sudan’s army chief and de facto president, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, for his role in the 21-month-long civil war that has devastated the country.

The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced over 12 million people, and pushed Sudan to the brink of famine.

The US Treasury Department accused Gen Burhan of destabilizing Sudan and obstructing its democratic transition. The sanctions follow reports of civilian massacres in Wad Madani, although these specific incidents were not mentioned in the announcement.

Washington alleged that Burhan’s forces had launched lethal attacks on civilians, targeting schools, markets, and hospitals, and deliberately used food deprivation as a war tactic. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had earlier accused the army of committing war crimes.

This comes a week after the US sanctioned Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, leader of the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF), for alleged genocide during the conflict.

The situation in Wad Madani, a key strategic city, has drawn international condemnation. Allegations of military rampages and civilian killings, including reports of 13 deaths in Camp Taiba, have fueled global outrage. South Sudan has also protested the deaths of its citizens during the conflict.

Social media footage of atrocities, verified by BBC, adds to the grim picture of the ongoing war. The Sudanese army has promised investigations and accountability, while the RSF faces its own accusations of retaliatory violence.

As Sudan spirals further into chaos, the international community’s focus on holding key actors accountable may shape the path to resolution.