The U.S. imposed sanctions on Sudan’s army chief, Burhan, for human rights abuses amidst ongoing conflict with the RSF. Allegations of chemical weapons use against RSF add to mounting tensions. The Sudanese government has condemned the sanctions, pointing fingers at the UAE for its arms support to the RSF. Experts criticize the equal treatment of both military actors in the U.S. policy.
The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s army chief, due to reports of severe human rights violations against civilians, including air strikes targeting schools and hospitals. These sanctions follow similar measures against his rival, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The U.S. has declared that a genocide by the RSF is occurring, an assessment supported by various human rights organizations. The ongoing conflict between the army and the RSF has created a significant humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
U.S. officials allege that the Sudanese army has utilized chemical weapons against the RSF on multiple occasions, reportedly deploying chlorine gas in rural areas. This crucial information was not included in the Treasury Department’s official sanctions announcement. Meanwhile, despite recent military successes, including capturing key locations, the army has been accused of carrying out indiscriminate attacks against civilians.
In response to the sanctions, the Sudanese government has rebuffed the measures as an ineffective late attempt by the U.S. to divert attention from the UAE’s alleged ongoing support for the RSF. Notably, the UAE, a significant ally to the U.S., has reportedly sent weapons to the RSF through a complex network.
High-level discussions within the U.S. suggested skepticism regarding Israeli and Emirati commitments to cease supplying arms to the RSF. Furthermore, allegations surfaced related to Chinese-made drones being delivered to RSF-controlled regions after assurances were given by the UAE to halt such transfers.
Experts have criticized the Biden administration’s approach of treating both the army and the RSF as equally culpable. Some argue that misconduct by the army does not equate to the genocide conducted by the RSF. Observers noted that the timing and rationale behind the sanctions may appear dubious, with questions about the consistency in America’s stance on chemical weapons-related actions leading to sanctions.
The situation in Sudan has deteriorated significantly since fighting erupted between the army and RSF in April 2023. The U.S. response has included sanctions against military leaders amid widespread reports of human rights abuses and severe humanitarian crises caused by the ongoing conflict. The interpretation of the situation by various international observers, including the identification of a genocide, adds complexity to the actions taken by the U.S. government and highlights the varying perspectives on accountability between the warring factions.
In summary, the imposition of U.S. sanctions on Burhan reflects serious concerns over human rights violations and the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Responses to these sanctions illuminate the geopolitical intricacies and the role of allied countries like the UAE. Experts emphasize the critical need for a nuanced understanding of the conflict’s dynamics, particularly the different levels of responsibility among the belligerent parties.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
