The United States has announced a new round of sanctions against Sudan following reports that the Sudanese military allegedly used chemical weapons against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) amid the country’s ongoing civil war, Rks News reports.
According to State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the sanctions will take effect on June 6 and will include:
Restrictions on U.S. exports to Sudan, and
Limits on Sudan’s ability to access international financial lending.
“The United States calls on the Sudanese government to immediately cease the use of all chemical weapons and to comply fully with its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention,”
the statement reads.
Although official evidence remains limited, The New York Times reported in January that Sudan had deployed chlorine gas in at least two separate incidents. Chlorine gas is known to cause severe respiratory damage and can be lethal if inhaled in large quantities.
The conflict, now entering its second year, began as violent clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF paramilitary group. So far, the war has claimed the lives of over 150,000 people, displaced millions, and devastated the country’s infrastructure. Despite the turmoil, the military has reportedly regained control over the capital, Khartoum.
The Sudanese authorities have yet to respond officially to the sanctions. According to BBC, efforts are ongoing to obtain a formal reaction from the government.
