Sudanese Political Forces Denounce US Sanctions as Cover-Up, Urge Government to Mitigate Impact

Cairo – Sudanhorizon – Sabah Moussa

The United States has once again resorted to the weapon of sanctions against Sudan, this time accusing the Sudanese army of using chemical weapons in the ongoing war.

Imposition of Sanctions

The U.S. State Department announced it would impose sanctions on Sudan following a determination that the Sudanese government used chemical weapons in 2024 during its conflict with the Rapid Support Forces. In a statement, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the sanctions would include restrictions on U.S. exports and American government credit lines, set to take effect around June 6, following notification to Congress on Thursday. Bruce added that the United States calls on the Sudanese government to cease all use of chemical weapons and uphold its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits the use of such weapons.

Political Blackmail

In response, Sudan rejected the move, describing the allegations as baseless and a form of “political blackmail without any evidence.” Government spokesperson and Minister of Information Khalid Al-Aysar stated Friday that these interventions, lacking both moral and legal foundation, undermine what little credibility Washington has left and shut the door on its influence in Sudan due to its unilateral and unjust decisions. Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also denied the U.S. allegations, condemning the measures the U.S. administration announced it would take based on those claims. The ministry expressed its astonishment at the approach taken by the U.S., which began months ago with anonymous leaks to the American press, yet deliberately avoided raising the matter through the appropriate international mechanisms in The Hague.

Media Report

The accusations stem from a report published by The New York Times last January, citing four senior U.S. officials who claimed that the Sudanese army used chemical weapons at least twice during the conflict, deploying them in remote areas of the country. The newspaper, quoting two unnamed “informed officials,” reported that chlorine gas—known for causing permanent damage to human tissue—was apparently used.

Doubts Surround the Motives

These U.S. accusations have sparked widespread reactions questioning the basis of the claims, particularly given they are grounded solely on a media report, lacking compelling evidence or proof. This has led to the impression that political pressure is behind the decision—perhaps an attempt by the U.S. to force Sudan and its militarily victorious forces to the negotiation table under American terms. Other interpretations suggest this may benefit a regional partner of the militia, or that the U.S. is applying pressure to deter Sudan from aligning more closely with Russia and China. All these theories arise from a decision unsupported by evidence, raising doubts about its underlying motives. So, what does the timing of the accusation signify? What are its reasons? How might it affect Sudan? And how should the Sudanese government respond?

Without Due Process

Dr. Al-Tijani Al-Sissi, head of the National Movement Forces, explained when asked that the accusations were based on unverified reports submitted last year by individuals affiliated with the “Samud” (Steadfastness) Alliance. Al-Sissi told Sudanhorizon that the U.S. imposed sanctions on Sudan without adhering to the investigation procedures and standards of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). He added, “We’ve heard nothing about any OPCW investigation into whether the Sudanese armed forces used chemical weapons in confronting the rebellion.”

Margins for Maneuvering

The head of the National Movement Forces added that the timing of the sanctions came just as a fully empowered prime minister was appointed to solidify Sudan’s regional and international role and push toward democratic civilian transformation. He said that accusing Sudan of using chemical weapons and imposing these unjust sanctions suggests that Washington is not abandoning its project to fragment Sudan by weakening its government. At the same time, he noted, the U.S. is providing political and military support to the militia, as evidenced by the large cache of American-made weapons seized in the Salha area of Omdurman after its liberation by the armed forces last week. He emphasized the need to take this matter seriously and urged the government to take advantage of the external diplomatic maneuvering space available during this critical juncture for the nation.

A Cover-Up Attempt

Moez Al-Fahl, political secretary of the Democratic Unionist Party (Original), said these accusations are a cover-up for the crimes committed by the Rapid Support Forces militia. Speaking to Sudanhorizon, Al-Fahl stated that the American-made weapons seized in Sudan directly refute the U.S. claims. He added that the U.S. is slandering the Sudanese people and their armed forces, noting that this approach of blame and criminalization against the nation’s institutions only deepens the crisis rather than offering solutions. He said the sanctions should have continued to target the Rapid Support Forces militia, which has committed violations amounting to genocide and continues to bomb safe areas indiscriminately using foreign-supplied weapons that fall outside legal frameworks.

Standing Against It

The political secretary of the Democratic Unionist Party also pointed to the evidence Sudan has presented to the United Nations and the International Court of Justice regarding the militia’s violations. He stressed that the Sudanese government must firmly oppose these decisions and called for greater unity and solidarity between national organizations and the government to reject these allegations and address the resulting consequences. He added that these decisions will have a significant impact on the Sudanese people and economy.

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