In a significant development, the US Treasury Department has sanctioned Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). “Today, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Mr. Abdel Fattah Al Burhan (Burhan), leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 14098,” the Treasury Department said in a statement. A transition to democracy that “destabilizes Sudan and undermines Sudan’s goals by imposing sanctions on certain individuals.” This action follows the appointment of Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Musa (Hemedi) as leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on January 7, 2025. ”
“In addition, OFAC is sanctioning one company and one individual involved in arms procurement on behalf of Defense Industrial Systems (DIS), the SAF’s procurement arm that OFAC sanctioned in June 2023,” the statement read. added.
Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo stressed the United States’ commitment to ending the conflict in Sudan following sanctions against Abdul Fattah Al Burhan.
“Today’s actions underscore our determination to see an end to this conflict,” Adeyemo said. We will hold leaders accountable for their blatant disregard.”
The Treasury further said that Burhan’s SAF carried out deadly attacks against civilians, including airstrikes on protected infrastructure such as schools, markets and hospitals. The South African Air Force is also responsible for using food deprivation as a war tactic and routinely and deliberately denying humanitarian access.
“In December 2023, Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined that SAF members had committed war crimes. The SAF’s terrible war tactics, along with those of the RSF, are the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with famine declared.” “in five regions of the country,” the release states.
Abdel Fattah Al Burhan is the commander of the SAF. In October 2021, Burhan and RSF commander Hemedi jointly led a military takeover to seize power from Sudan’s civilian-led transitional government. Since then, Burhan has opposed a return to civilian rule in Sudan, refused to participate in international peace talks aimed at ending the fighting, and chosen war over honest negotiations and de-escalation. Under Burhan’s leadership, the SAF’s war tactics include indiscriminate bombing of civilian infrastructure, attacks on schools, markets and hospitals, and extrajudicial executions, according to the US Treasury.
“Mr. Burhan is designated pursuant to EO 14098 because he is a foreign national who is or has served as a leader, official, senior executive officer, or board member of the SAF. , senior executive officer, or member of the Board of Directors, engaged in any act or policy that threatens the peace, security, or stability of Sudan,” the release states.
(With inputs from ANI)
