The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, due to allegations of attacks on civilians. This follows sanctions on his rival, RSF commander Hemeti, in light of genocide claims against the RSF. The Sudanese army’s recent actions and the involvement of the UAE have drawn criticism, prompting calls for reevaluation of U.S. policy regarding the conflict.
On Thursday, the Biden administration enacted sanctions against Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the army chief and de facto leader of Sudan, due to accusations of lethal attacks on civilians, including airstrikes on protected sites such as schools and hospitals. These sanctions follow previously imposed restrictions on his rival, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemeti. The U.S. government also affirmed ongoing genocide perpetrated by the RSF in Sudan, corroborated by various human rights organizations.
Since April 2023, a conflict has raged between the Sudanese army and the RSF, leading to a humanitarian crisis of vast proportions. Anonymous U.S. officials informed The New York Times of chemical weapon use by the Sudanese army against the RSF, specifically the deployment of chlorine gas in remote regions, although this was not formally cited in the official sanctions notice.
The Sudanese army recently captured the strategic city of Wad Madani from the RSF, but it faces accusations of indiscriminate attacks on civilians. Reports indicate that the army has involved in violent actions resulting in numerous civilian deaths, including a claim of at least 13 killed in a targeted attack near Wad Madani. Moreover, South Sudanese nationals have been reportedly targeted, prompting concerns from South Sudan’s foreign ministry regarding the safety of its citizens in Sudan.
In response to U.S. sanctions, the Sudanese army-aligned government, through a senior diplomat, criticized the U.S. for not addressing what they believe to be the primary instigator of the war—the UAE. The UAE has been accused of supplying weapons to the RSF, despite recent assurances it had ceased such activities. The Biden administration is expected to provide lawmakers with an evaluation of the credibility of these assurances.
A report from the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab indicated the use of Chinese-made drones by the RSF, which were transported via military cargo planes into Nyala Airport, raising questions about international involvement in the conflict. Experts argue that the U.S. policy of treating both the Sudanese army and the RSF with equal scrutiny is misguided, with many believing the army’s actions are not comparable to the RSF’s genocidal campaign against certain ethnic groups.
Notable voices in the field, such as Nathaniel Raymond, have expressed concern regarding the negative implications of Washington’s moral equivalency stance towards the two warring factions. Former CIA analyst Cameron Hudson echoed similar sentiments, indicating that the Biden administration’s pursuit of equivalence could lead to significant misunderstandings about the true nature of accountability and responsibility for the violence in Sudan.
The ongoing tensions have prompted calls for independent investigations into the alleged use of chemical weapons, with some experts urging a cooperative approach involving the United Nations to address these violations effectively. The overall response to the sanctions and the unfolding humanitarian emergency underscores the complexity of foreign involvement in Sudanese affairs, especially with regard to U.S. policy direction and regional alliances.
The U.S. sanctions against Abdel Fattah al-Burhan signify escalating international condemnation of the Sudanese armed conflict and its catastrophic humanitarian consequences. The complex dynamics between the Sudanese army and the RSF are exacerbated by external influences, particularly from regional actors like the UAE, which have significantly impacted the conflict’s trajectory. The sanctions reflect broader concerns over human rights abuses and the international community’s response to ongoing violence in Sudan.
In conclusion, the imposition of U.S. sanctions on Sudan’s military chief, amid reports of extensive human rights violations, has ignited a debate on the responsibilities of both the Sudanese army and the RSF. The involvement of external actors, particularly the UAE, complicates the situation further. Experts stress the need for nuanced understanding and actions to address the humanitarian crisis in Sudan effectively, alongside thorough investigations into alleged chemical weapon use.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
