“US Imposes New Sanctions on Sudan Over Alleged Chemical Weapons Use Amid Escalating Civil War”
The United States has imposed a new round of sanctions on Sudan after determining that the Sudanese government used chemical weapons during the country’s ongoing conflict, escalating international pressure on the authorities in Khartoum.
The measures were announced under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991, following a US determination that Sudan had used chemical or biological weapons in violation of international law. The sanctions include additional restrictions on exports to Sudan, limits on certain forms of financial and technical assistance, and other measures targeting the country’s access to international support.
The United States previously said its assessment was based on the alleged use of chemical weapons in 2024 during the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Reports have indicated that chlorine gas may have been involved, although Washington has not publicly disclosed full details of the alleged incidents.
The sanctions come as Sudan remains engulfed in a devastating war that began in April 2023. The conflict has triggered mass displacement, severe food insecurity and a deepening humanitarian crisis, with both the army and the RSF facing international accusations of serious violations against civilians.
Sudan’s military authorities have rejected allegations of chemical weapons use. The sanctions are therefore likely to intensify diplomatic tensions between Washington and Khartoum while increasing pressure on Sudan’s leadership over the conduct of the war.
The latest action also forms part of broader US efforts to pressure actors fueling Sudan’s conflict. In separate measures, Washington has targeted individuals, companies and networks accused of supplying weapons, recruiting foreign fighters and supporting the warring parties.
For Sudanese civilians, however, the impact of additional sanctions remains a major concern. While the United States says its measures are aimed at holding responsible authorities and conflict networks accountable, international sanctions can also complicate access to finance, trade and essential services if safeguards are not carefully maintained.
The United States has continued to call for an end to the fighting, increased humanitarian access and a negotiated political settlement. With the war showing no clear path to a lasting resolution, the effectiveness of sanctions will depend largely on whether they can influence the parties involved without further worsening the humanitarian suffering of the Sudanese people.