The United States imposed extremely harsh sanctions on Sudan for the use of chemical weapons.

The government of the United States announced the imposition of new sanctions against Sudan after determining that its army used chemical weapons during the civil conflict it has maintained since 2023 with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

According to the State Department, this decision is based on the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (CBW Act) and was communicated to Congress on April 24, 2025. The sanctions will take effect on June 6, after a 15-day notification period.

The measures will include restrictions on U.S. exports to Sudan and the limitation of the country's access to U.S. government lines of credit.

In the official statement, spokesperson Tammy Bruce indicated that Sudan was declared in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), of which it is a signatory. Washington urged the Sudanese government to cease the use of this type of weaponry and to respect its international commitments.

Although technical details about the weapons used were not specified, the New York Times had reported in January that the Sudanese army had used chlorine gas on two occasions during 2024.

These actions reportedly took place in unidentified remote areas and, in fact, visual evidence has emerged confirming the use of such weapons.

The Sudanese government reacted strongly, calling the accusations "baseless" and lacking evidence. The Minister of Culture and Information, Khalid Al-Ayesir, denounced the U.S. decision as "political blackmail," stating that it further undermines the United States' credibility in the region.

In addition, he accused Washington of fabricating a narrative to divert international attention and to protect "illegitimate actors" involved in crimes against the Sudanese people.

He also recalled an episode from 1998, when the United States bombed the Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum, under the accusation that it was linked to the production of chemical weapons and to Osama bin Laden's network.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "deep dismay" at the actions of the United States, stating that the appropriate diplomatic channels were not used. In addition, it reiterated Sudan's commitment to the CWC.

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF has caused more than 150,000 deaths in two years. Although government forces have regained control of the capital, Khartoum, violence continues in other regions. Approximately 12 million people have been displaced and 25 million require food assistance.

Both sides of the conflict have been accused of war crimes, although they deny it. The United States had already sanctioned the leaders of both sides in January: Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, military leader, was accused of undermining the democratic transition, and the head of the RSF, Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), was accused of genocide by former Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The new sanctions could have a limited impact, since Sudan is already subject to various previous restrictions. According to the AFP agency, the country's economy is already suffering from severe limitations.

This announcement also comes in a context of diplomatic tensions with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), whom the Sudanese government accuses of supplying weapons to the RSF, something the Gulf country denies. In parallel, sectors of the U.S. Congress have sought to block arms sales to the UAE due to its alleged involvement in the conflict.

Finally, a UN court rejected this month a lawsuit by Sudan against the UAE for genocide, which has further increased diplomatic pressure on Khartoum amid a large-scale humanitarian crisis.