General Abdel responds to US sanctions, defends Sudanese army actions

During his visit to the recently liberated city of Madani, Sudanese Army Chief and Chairman of the Sovereign Council, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, addressed reports of imminent US sanctions, emphasising his dedication to serving Sudan despite the measures.

“To serve this country, we welcome any sanctions imposed on us,” Abdel stated firmly.

The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Thursday, citing allegations against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for targeting civilians, civilian infrastructure, and obstructing humanitarian aid while refusing to engage in peace talks last year.

“Burhan’s SAF has committed lethal attacks on civilians, including airstrikes against protected infrastructure such as schools, markets, and hospitals,” read a statement from the US Department of the Treasury.

The department further accused the SAF of “the routine and intentional denial of humanitarian access, using food deprivation as a war tactic.”

The sanctions mirror previous measures imposed on his rival in the nearly two-year conflict, as part of US efforts to push for a return to civilian-led governance.

General Abdel, however, denied any pursuit of revenge or retribution in the military’s actions.

“We did not act for vengeance or retaliation. The law and the state are responsible for holding people accountable,” he said.

He also mentioned ongoing discussions with local officials to restore essential services, stating, “We are currently in talks about services such as water and electricity with the governor.”

The Sudanese conflict, which erupted after the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) jointly carried out a coup in 2021, has since spiralled into a brutal war, claiming tens of thousands of lives and displacing millions.

Both sides in the conflict are now facing US sanctions aimed at pressuring them toward a peaceful resolution.