Thu Jan 16 22:14:00 UTC 2025: ## US Imposes Sanctions on Sudanese Military Leader Amidst Humanitarian Crisis

**Washington, D.C. – January 17, 2025** – The United States has imposed sanctions on Sudanese Armed Forces leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, citing his role in obstructing humanitarian aid and targeting civilians in the ongoing Sudanese conflict. The sanctions, announced Thursday by the Treasury Department, come as the nearly two-year-old war has caused a devastating humanitarian crisis, creating the world’s largest displacement crisis and widespread famine.

The conflict between Burhan and his rival, Rapid Support Forces leader Mohammad Hamdan Daglo Mousa, has resulted in over 24,000 deaths and displaced more than 14 million Sudanese – approximately 30% of the population. Millions have fled to neighboring countries, and famine has been declared in five Sudanese regions. The ongoing violence has been marked by atrocities, including ethnic killings and rape, according to the UN and human rights groups. Both sides are accused of blocking desperately needed aid.

These sanctions, among the Biden administration’s final actions before leaving office, aim to disrupt the flow of weapons to Sudan and hold those responsible for the violence accountable. The U.S. also penalized one of Burhan’s top arms procurers. In a separate action, sanctions were levied against individuals and entities involved in North Korea’s alleged forced labor schemes abroad. These sanctions target a North Korean weapons-trading department, two front companies operating in Laos, their leaders, and a Chinese firm accused of supplying North Korea with electronic equipment. The International Criminal Court is currently investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan.

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