US Slaps Sanctions on Three Sudanese Firms Amid Ongoing Conflict
The United States has imposed financial sanctions on three Sudanese firms, accused of having direct ties to the warring forces in Sudan, as the devastating conflict continues to rage across northeast Africa.
Background
The sanctions, imposed by the US Treasury Department, block all property and entities in the US belonging to Alkhaleej Bank Co Ltd, Zadna International Co for Development Ltd, and Al-Fakher Advanced Works Co Ltd.
Ties to Warring Forces
According to the department, both Alkhaleej and Al-Fakher have direct connections to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with Al-Fakher playing a key role in the paramilitary’s lucrative gold export business. Zadna, on the other hand, is run by the Sudanese army and helps generate revenue for a military-run weapons company that has already been sanctioned by the US.
Impact of Conflict
These latest sanctions are part of a broader effort by Washington to pressure the warring sides to end the conflict, which has already claimed thousands of lives. The United Nations estimates that at least 12,000 people have been killed in the fighting, although local doctors’ groups claim the true toll is much higher. Over 10.7 million people have also been displaced by the conflict, according to the UN migration agency.
Efforts to Broker Peace
Regional partners and international mediators, including Saudi Arabia and the US, have been trying to broker a peace deal between the warring parties, but so far, efforts have been unsuccessful. Sudanese military leader General Abdel- Fattah Burhan and RSF commander General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo have yet to meet in person since the conflict began.
Key Points
- The sanctions block all property and entities in the US belonging to Alkhaleej Bank Co Ltd, Zadna International Co for Development Ltd, and Al-Fakher Advanced Works Co Ltd.
- Al- Fakhers has direct connections to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and plays a key role in the paramilitary’s lucrative gold export business.
- Zadna is run by the Sudanese army and helps generate revenue for a military-run weapons company that has already been sanctioned by the US.
- The conflict has already claimed thousands of lives, with at least 12,000 people killed and over 10.7 million displaced.
- Efforts to broker peace between the warring parties have so far been unsuccessful.