The United States has imposed sanctions on two companies and one individual, including a Russian-based company, for contributing to the instability in Sudan, where ongoing fighting has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions. The move is part of a series of sanctions imposed by the US following a conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) earlier this year. The Treasury Department’s Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, stated that the action is meant to hold accountable those who have obstructed peaceful and democratic solutions in Sudan.
Among those targeted by the sanctions is Ali Karti, the former foreign minister under ousted ruler Omar al-Bashir, who has since become the leader of the Sudanese Islamic Movement. Karti, along with other hardline Sudanese Islamists, has allegedly hindered efforts to reach a ceasefire and impeded Sudan’s democratic transition. Additionally, the sanctions also affect GSK Advance Company, a Sudanese firm identified as a procurement channel for the RSF, as well as Aviatrade, a Russian military supply company that worked with GSK to provide parts, supplies, and drone training for the RSF.
These sanctions come in addition to previous measures taken by the US against the RSF’s deputy leader and companies accused of fueling the conflict in Sudan. The sanctions involve freezing the US assets of the targeted entities and generally prohibit Americans from engaging in transactions with them. Individuals or entities that continue to conduct certain transactions with these sanctioned parties also risk facing sanctions themselves. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also announced visa restrictions on individuals believed to be undermining Sudan’s democratic transition.