Mekelle, Tigray — May 23, 2025
The United States has announced new sanctions against Sudan following the determination that the Sudanese military used banned chemical weapons during clashes with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the ongoing civil war.
The sanctions, which are expected to take effect around June 6, will include restrictions on U.S. exports to Sudan and a block on access to U.S. government credit lines. The decision marks a significant escalation in Washington’s response to the brutal conflict that has ravaged the country since April 2023.
“The United States calls on the Government of Sudan to cease all chemical weapons use and uphold its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce in a statement released Thursday.
While the State Department did not specify the timing or exact locations of the chemical attacks, a New York Times investigation earlier this year revealed that government forces had deployed chemical weapons, possibly chlorine gas, in at least two remote areas during battles with RSF fighters. Chlorine gas can cause severe respiratory injuries and is potentially fatal.
The civil war between Sudan’s national army, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary RSF, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (also known as Hemeti), has plunged the nation into one of the worst humanitarian crises globally. Over 13 million people have been displaced, thousands have died, and famine conditions are spreading.
The United States has already imposed sanctions on both sides of the conflict. In January, it sanctioned General al-Burhan for refusing to engage in internationally brokered peace talks. RSF leaders, including Dagalo, have also been targeted by U.S. sanctions over alleged atrocities, including genocide.
The use of chemical weapons by the Sudanese government, if confirmed in full, could further isolate Khartoum diplomatically and increase pressure for international intervention or accountability measures.
The U.S. has reiterated its call for an immediate end to hostilities and the resumption of peace negotiations to address the deepening humanitarian catastrophe.
