On Thursday, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued new sanctions targeting two companies linked to the Sudanese Armed Forces and two associated with the Rapid Support Forces. A senior U.S. administration official, speaking to journalists under the condition of anonymity, stated, "We will not hesitate to take additional steps if both parties continue to destroy their country." He added that "targeting these companies is not symbolic at all," emphasizing that the measures aim to prevent the parties from acquiring weapons and resources that allow them to sustain the conflict.
Thursday's actions represent the first sanctions imposed under an executive order signed by President Joe Biden in May. These sanctions affect Sudan's largest defense entity, the Defense Industries System, which the Treasury Department stated generates revenues estimated at $2 billion and produces weapons and other equipment for the Sudanese army. The sanctions also target the GIAD Group, also known as Sudan Master Technology.
Regarding the Rapid Support Forces, Washington has imposed sanctions on the Al-Junaid Group, which it claims is involved in gold mining and is controlled by Rapid Support Forces leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) and his brother, as well as the Tradef Company, which is described as a front company controlled by another brother of Hemedti that is involved in purchasing vehicles for the Rapid Support Forces.
The Treasury’s site indicated that the department also issued general licenses permitting some activities by humanitarian organizations and relief groups in Sudan. The United States confirmed on Thursday that it is still willing to mediate between the warring parties in Sudan, provided they are "serious" about the ceasefire, after the Rapid Support Forces withdrew from the Jeddah talks.
A senior U.S. administration official noted that "the United States will not hesitate to take additional steps against the parties to the Sudanese conflict if the violence continues." He added that neither party has withdrawn from the ongoing peace talks in Jeddah and that discussions are still in progress.
Meanwhile, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that the United States imposed economic sanctions and visa restrictions in Sudan today due to concerns about a protracted conflict and widespread suffering in the country, with both fighting factions failing to adhere to a ceasefire.
The Sudanese Freedom and Change Forces called today for the army and Rapid Support Forces to strictly abide by the terms of the ceasefire agreement and halt all "violations." They urged both parties to "immediately stop the war and adopt the peaceful political path as the only option to address the issues of the national crisis."
The statement also called on both sides to complete negotiations in Jeddah without interruption or delay and with full seriousness to end the conflict and reach a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire to put an end to the war.
Earlier, a Sudanese diplomatic source reported that the army had suspended its participation in the Jeddah negotiations without providing further details, according to Reuters. A Sudanese government official clarified that this position by the army resulted from the Rapid Support Forces' failure to withdraw from hospitals, as agreed. The Sudanese army had bombarded Rapid Support Forces positions in Khartoum on Wednesday after these forces withdrew from the negotiations facilitated by the United States and Saudi Arabia to allow humanitarian aid to reach famine-threatened Sudan.
