The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), under Executive Order (E.O.) 14098, targeting individuals destabilizing Sudan and obstructing its democratic transition. The move follows the designation of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa (Hemedti) on January 7, 2025.
In addition to Burhan, OFAC has sanctioned Sudanese-Ukrainian national Ahmad Abdalla and his company, Portex Trade Limited, for their involvement in weapons procurement for the SAF’s Defense Industries System (DIS). DIS, the SAF’s procurement arm, was sanctioned in June 2023.
Targeting Sudan’s Warring Factions
US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo emphasized that the sanctions aim to curb the flow of weapons into Sudan and hold its leaders accountable for their actions. “The United States will continue to use our tools to disrupt the flow of weapons into Sudan and hold these leaders responsible for their blatant disregard of civilian lives,” Adeyemo said.
Burhan, who seized power alongside Hemedti in a 2021 military coup, has led the SAF in a brutal conflict against the RSF, with both factions accused of war crimes. The SAF has conducted lethal airstrikes on civilian areas, including schools, markets, and hospitals, while also obstructing humanitarian aid and using food deprivation as a weapon of war. In December 2023, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken determined that members of the SAF had committed war crimes.
Weapons Procurement and Sanctions
OFAC’s sanctions also target Abdalla, the Chief Operating Officer of Portex Trade Limited, for his role in securing military supplies for the SAF. Abdalla allegedly facilitated the acquisition of Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from an Azerbaijani defense company for Sudan. Following OFAC’s designation of DIS in 2023, Abdalla and Portex Trade Limited reportedly sought to bypass restrictions by conducting transactions through private entities.
Escalating Humanitarian Crisis
The ongoing conflict between the SAF and RSF has plunged Sudan into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Famine has been declared in five regions, and millions of civilians remain displaced. Both warring factions have been accused of widespread atrocities, further complicating peace efforts.
The latest sanctions reflect Washington’s increasing pressure on Sudan’s military leaders to cease hostilities and engage in peace negotiations. However, with Burhan and Hemedti continuing to prioritize military gains over diplomacy, the prospects for a resolution remain uncertain.
What’s Next?
The U.S. has vowed to continue targeting individuals and entities fueling the Sudanese conflict. These sanctions freeze the assets of designated individuals within U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit Americans from engaging in transactions with them. The move underscores Washington’s commitment to ending Sudan’s violence and pushing for a return to civilian rule.
