The United States has announced new sanctions against the Sudanese government, following accusations that government forces used chemical weapons in 2024. According to a press release issued by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the restrictions are expected to take effect in June 2025.
On April 24, 2025, the US government officially determined that Sudan's state military had deployed chemical weapons in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), to which Sudan is a party. These findings were submitted to Congress as an amendment to the CWC Compliance Report dated April 15, 2025. According to the State Department, the imposed sanctions will be enacted once a notice is published in the Federal Register, a step anticipated around June 6, 2025.
The US has urged the Sudanese authorities to "immediately cease the use of chemical weapons and fulfill their obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention." Officials further emphasized America's commitment to ensuring accountability for anyone involved in developing or spreading chemical weapons.
Sudanese officials have not yet responded to the allegations or US statements, according to Reuters news agency.
This is not the first time Sudanese leaders have faced US penalties this year. In January 2025, the US government imposed restrictions on Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the de facto leader of Sudan, as well as defense industry figure Ahmad Abdallah, his company Portex Trade Limited, and other government-linked actors. At that time, Sudanese authorities condemned the US decision, describing it as "lacking objectivity."
Earlier in January, Washington also sanctioned the leader of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, asserting that such actions demonstrate the United States' determination to pursue peace without supporting any warring side.
Sudan has been mired in a devastating civil war between the RSF rebel group and Sudanese regular army since April 2023. The conflict has resulted in over 20,000 deaths, forced more than 14 million people to flee their homes, and left around 25 million in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
In late January 2025, the Sudanese government army broke the RSF siege in Khartoum and fully regained control of the capital in March, marking a significant turning point in the conflict. Subsequently, Sudan's leader announced steps toward a transition to civilian governance, signaling possible hope for an end to prolonged turmoil in the country.
