On January 16, 2025, the United States Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and Mirghani Idris Suleiman, the director of the Defense Industries System (DIS), for their roles in perpetuating the ongoing conflict in Sudan. The US Department of the Treasury has taken decisive action against key actors fueling the conflict in Sudan. By sanctioning the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) leadership and targeting its weapons supply chain, these measures aim to disrupt the ongoing violence and mitigate its devastating impact on civilians. However, the sanctions also present implications for humanitarian operations and Sudan’s future stability.
Background of the Sudanese Conflict and Overview of Sudan’s Crisis and SAF Leadership
Sudan has been embrangled in a brutal conflict since April 2023, pitting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Mohammad Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). This power struggle has resulted in a devastating and widespread humanitarian atrocity, with over 24,000 fatalities and more than 14 million people displaced. Both factions have been accused of committing severe human rights violations, including targeting civilians and obstructing humanitarian aid.
The SAF has been implicated in innumerable human rights abuses, including aerial destruction of civilian areas, the targeting of hospitals, and the deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid. General Burhan, as the leader of the SAF, has played a pivotal role in orchestrating these actions.
In January 2025, the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned General Burhan under Executive Order 14098. The sanctions aim to hold him accountable for actions undermining peace, security, and stability in Sudan.
Sanctions on Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned al-Burhan for his leadership role in the SAF, which has been implicated in deadly and lethal attacks on civilians, including airstrikes on schools, markets, and hospitals. The SAF has also been accused of deliberately blocking humanitarian assistance, using food deprivation as a weapon of war. These actions have significantly contributed to the dire humanitarian situation in Sudan, where famine has been declared in several regions.
Sanctions on Mirghani Idris Suleiman
Mirghani Idris Suleiman, as the director of DIS, has been central to the SAF’s weapons procurement efforts. Under his leadership, the DIS has facilitated arms deals that have intensified the conflict. The U.S. Treasury underscored Suleiman’s role in acquiring weapons, including Iranian drones and negotiating port-for-weapons deals with Russia, which have emboldened the SAF to continue military operations rather than seek peaceful resolutions.
Implications of the Sanctions
Pressure on Leadership
By directly sanctioning General Burhan and other SAF leaders, the U.S. sends a vivid message of accountability. This move isolates the SAF leadership internationally and complicates their access to financial and logistical resources.
Impact on SAF Operations
The sanctions are expected to curtail the SAF’s ability to procure weapons and sustain its military operations. By targeting key suppliers and financial networks, the U.S. aims to weaken the SAF’s capacity to wage war.
Diplomatic and Regional Consequences
The sanctions may push other international actors to take a strict stance against the SAF and its enablers. However, there is also a risk of further entrenching the SAF and RSF, prolonging the conflict. Neighboring countries could be drawn into the crisis as refugees and weapons flow across borders.
Challenges for Humanitarian Aid
Despite the humanitarian exemptions, the conflict itself remains a highlighting barrier to aid delivery. The SAF and RSF’s continued attacks on civilian infrastructure and aid workers undermine the effectiveness of relief efforts.
Humanitarian Authorizations and Safeguards
While the sanctions are schemed to pressure the SAF leadership and its enablers, they are not intended to worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in Sudan. Recognizing this risk, the U.S. government has implemented humanitarian authorizations to ensure that critical aid can still reach those in need.
Under OFAC guidelines, the sanctions include exemptions for humanitarian activities, allowing organizations to deliver food, medicine, and other essential supplies. Specific licenses have been issued to enable NGOs to operate without fear of violating U.S. sanctions.
However, the challenge lies in ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches its intended recipients. Both the SAF and RSF have been accused of holding back relief efforts and weaponizing aid to control populations. The sanctions aim to weaken the SAF’s power to use these tactics while maintaining pathways for legalized humanitarian work.
Worldwide Response
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating violence in Sudan. The United States has called for an end to the conflict and underscored the importance of holding perpetrators of human rights abuses accountable. Additionally, the U.S. has tried to encourage other nations to stop providing military support to the conflicting parties, highlighting reports of external actors supplying arms that fuel the hostilities.
Humanitarian Crisis: The Futuristic Picture
Sudan’s humanitarian crisis is one of the worst in the world, with over 14 million people displaced and millions more facing famine-like conditions. Both the SAF and RSF have aggravated the situation through deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and the obstruction of aid.
The sanctions against SAF leadership and weapons suppliers are part of a greater effort to address this crisis. However, their effectiveness depends on complementary measures, including stringent diplomatic efforts, regional cooperation, and sustained humanitarian assistance.
The U.S. sanctions against Sudanese Armed Forces leadership and weapons suppliers Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mirghani Idris Suleiman represent a critical step toward accountability and conflict resolution and represent a crucial and strategic effort to curb the ongoing violence in Sudan by targeting individuals responsible for prolonging the conflict. These actions emphasize on the international community’s commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution and addressing the humanitarian crisis that has severely impacted millions of Sudanese citizens. By targeting the financial and logistical networks sustaining the SAF’s campaign of violence, these measures aim to weaken its capacity for harm and promote peace.
However, the success of these sanctions is dependent on their implementation alongside humanitarian safeguards and international cooperation. As the conflict in Sudan continues, the global community must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing its root causes and ensuring relief for those most affected.
To learn more, visit the official U.S. Department of the Treasury website.
