Ambassador Abdul Mahmoud Abdul Halim Comments on the U.s. Treasury Department’s Decision

Rather than being a punishment directed at the Sudanese army commander, the recent U.S. measure is yet another failing mark for the United States, adding to a series of significant setbacks. These include a loud fall in Ethiopia, preceded by a glaring failure in Afghanistan, where their ally Ashraf Ghani fled to the airport seeking a plane to escape the country, and chronic failures in the Middle East, marked by the destruction and devastation we witness today.

The U.S. entered the Sudanese arena exhausted, lacking even the basic elements required to win in a football match—respect for the opponent. They sent an envoy of limited competence who acted arrogantly, demanding the head of state meet him at the airport and threatening a ‘Plan B’ to invade the country by force. Even when Vice President Kamala Harris elevated his position, he failed to compel the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to implement the Jeddah platform’s resolutions. Instead, Washington created a new platform in Geneva, which caused more harm than good.

This is in addition to the U.S.’s misguided classification of the war as a mere clash between two generals. Every time they take a measure against the RSF, they rush to implement an equivalent action against the Sudanese army. Eventually, they reached Hemeti (RSF leader), making it clear to all that the next target would be Burhan, as if the war is a mere exercise in the theory of interconnected vessels.

The irony reaches its peak when, after accusing the RSF of committing genocide, the U.S. punishes the army—the sole military institution responsible for protecting people from such atrocities!

The U.S. has failed, reverting to its outdated sanctions manual, which essentially gives the government an opportunity to disengage and operate free from American pressures and manoeuvres. Past experiences have shown that these Treasury sanctions are ineffective, apart from their limited and temporary psychological impact. In fact, they often boost the popularity of the targeted individuals as national heroes.

Of course, al-Burhan can attend United Nations meetings if he wishes.