The Sudanese government has strongly rejected the sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) on three companies affiliated with the Sudanese army, deeming them unjust.
On Monday, the EU Council imposed sanctions on six companies owned by the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who have been engaged in intense fighting for nine months, accusing them of undermining stability and the political transition in Sudan.
Among the entities targeted by the sanctions are two companies involved in arms and vehicle manufacturing for the Sudanese Armed Forces: “Industrial Defense System” and “S.M.T Engineering Industries,” along with “Zadna International Limited,” which is under the control of the Sudanese army.
In response, Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning the EU’s actions as “unjust decisions built on a lack of objectivity and fairness between the armed forces and terrorist militias consisting of thousands of mercenaries, committing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and sexual violence.”
The statement continued, stating that it was expected of the EU to shoulder its political and moral responsibilities towards international and regional peace by exerting pressure on those supporting the terrorist militias to cease providing weapons, mercenaries, financing, and media support.
The statement criticized the EU for hiding behind the pretext of neutrality between what it calls “warring parties,” despite the absence of neutrality concerning genocide, ethnic cleansing, sexual violence, and the targeting of displaced people and war refugees, as outlined in the statement.
It argued that the sanctions, especially targeting national institutions, would not contribute to achieving peace.
Instead, it rewarded those described as aggressors and overlooked their violations, thereby disregarding the victims.
The statement emphasized that the justification for targeting the three economic institutions by associating them with the armed forces was perplexing and disconcerting.
It highlighted that the armed forces have an obligation to defend Sudan, necessitating the pursuit of self-sufficiency in defense equipment. Sudanese laws guarantee the right to self-defense.
Furthermore, the statement expressed bewilderment at the accusation against “Zadna” as it is a leading national company dedicated to modernizing Sudan’s agriculture sector, achieving food security, and encouraging the private sector and entrepreneurs to invest in agriculture, as it is the primary tool for sustainable development and social justice in the country.
The foreign ministry expressed its astonishment at the accusation of undermining stability and the political transition leveled against the company.
