Sudan rejects U.S. sanctions, calls chemical weapons allegations baseless

Sudan has rejected a new round of U.S. sanctions imposed over allegations that its armed forces used chemical weapons, calling the measures politically motivated and based on what it described as unsubstantiated accusations.

The sanctions, which took effect on 20 July, were announced by Washington after U.S. authorities said Sudan had failed to meet conditions related to compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention during a three-month review period.

The measures target financial and trade relations while maintaining exemptions for humanitarian assistance and food aid.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “categorically rejects the unilateral and illegal sanctions imposed by the United States against Sudan, based on false allegations of the Sudanese Armed Forces’ use of chemical weapons.”

The ministry said Khartoum had consistently denied the accusations since they first surfaced in media reports, arguing that the claims relied on anonymous sources and had not been supported by verifiable evidence.

Sudan called on the United States to publicly present the evidence underpinning its allegations, saying any accusations involving the use of prohibited weapons should be backed by credible and transparent investigations.

The ministry also reaffirmed Sudan’s commitment to its obligations under international law, including continued cooperation with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the global watchdog responsible for implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Washington announced the sanctions after determining that Sudan had not fulfilled statutory requirements tied to chemical weapons compliance. Under the measures, the United States will oppose most forms of financial assistance and lending to Sudan through international financial institutions, while also restricting technical assistance and imposing broad export controls on U.S. goods and technology.

Products considered to have potential military or security applications will be subject to a policy of presumptive denial, making export approvals unlikely unless specific exceptions apply.

The U.S. government said humanitarian programmes, including food assistance and other forms of life-saving aid, would remain exempt from the restrictions in an effort to avoid worsening conditions for civilians affected by Sudan’s ongoing conflict.

According to Washington, the sanctions are expected to remain in force for at least one year unless Sudan satisfies legal conditions for their removal, including addressing concerns related to compliance with international chemical weapons obligations.

The latest measures add to Sudan’s growing diplomatic and economic challenges as the country remains engulfed in a civil war that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has displaced millions of people, devastated infrastructure and deepened one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

The dispute over the sanctions is likely to further strain relations between Khartoum and Washington, with Sudan maintaining that it has honoured its international commitments while the United States insists accountability and compliance remain essential before restrictions can be lifted.