President Joe Biden moved closer to issuing sanctions against Sudan’s warring generals on Thursday, saying they had “betrayed” the Sudanese people and their demand for democracy.
Regional experts have criticized Washington’s role in failing to impose sentences following a 2021 coup, accusing the Biden administration of adding fuel to the fire with a Western-backed plan to overthrow the country’s armed forces. reorganize.
On Thursday, Biden signed an executive order paving the way for future sanctions after nearly three weeks of bitter fighting.
“The violence in Sudan is a tragedy – and it is a betrayal of the Sudanese people’s clear demand for civilian rule and a transition to democracy,” he said.
“I join the peace-loving people of Sudan and leaders around the world in calling for a lasting ceasefire between the warring parties.”
Smoke rises over residential buildings in Khartoum as fighting rages
The fighting pits army chief General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, who has allied himself with the country’s Islamists, against General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (better known as Hemedti) who heads the Rapid Support Forces
It came as the South Sudanese foreign ministry declared a week-long ceasefire. But at least five other ceasefires have come and gone without alleviating a growing humanitarian emergency.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters at the White House that the executive order was not so much a warning as an authorization for the Treasury to consider whether sanctions would be appropriate.
“If these two military factions, the leaders of them, really desire peace and security, if they really embrace the Sudanese people, then they should stop fighting,” Kirby said.
“They need to lay down their arms, keep the ceasefire as they promised, and sit back down at the table so we can see a transition to civilian rule.”
The capital, Khartoum, was again shelled on Thursday, disrupting efforts to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to war-weary residents.
During the fighting, the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, faces off against his former ally General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, who commands the paramilitary equipment of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) .
Each has blamed the other for violating ceasefires. And each claimed their troops were the target of attacks on Thursday.
The announcement of the sanctions was hailed as a missed opportunity by some analysts who say local reporting suggests the RSF is involved in more attacks on hospitals, aid organizations and civilian infrastructure than the SAF
Sudanese greet army soldiers loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan on April 16
More than 100,000 people have already fled the country as Sudan plunges into a humanitarian crisis after nearly three weeks of clashes as rival generals vie for power
President Joe Biden signed an executive order on Thursday to clear the way for sanctions. Spokesman John Kirby (r) called on both sides to observe a ceasefire
Biden issued a statement accusing the warring factions of betraying the wishes of the population
“The instinct of these sanctions announcements, and US diplomacy in general, is to create the illusion of impartiality in a futile and ultimately self-defeating effort to maintain access to both sides,” said Cameron Hudson of the Center for Strategic and international studies, on Twitter.
“But again, the crimes being committed and the actions of the armed forces are qualitatively different from what I see.
“Only one side I can see is destroying civilian infrastructure like hospitals or water stations. Only one party commits assault. Only one side has targeted diplomatic personnel.
“And only one side is trying to protect people in areas they control.”
Sudan expert Cameron Hudson said the unfolding facts meant now was not the time to treat both sides in a balanced way
At least 100,000 people have already fled to other countries.
And the end is not in sight, according to National Intelligence Director Avril Haines, who appeared before the Senate Armed Forces Committee.
Both sides, she said, had little interest in peace talks if they both believe they can win on the battlefield.
“The fighting in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces is likely to go on for a long time as both sides believe they can win militarily and have little incentive to come to the negotiating table,” she said.