The United States has officially imposed sanctions on three Sudanese entities for their involvement in financing and providing equipment to both the Sudanese Armed Forces led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as “Hemeti.”
Brian Nelson, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, stated that the conflict in Sudan continues, in part, because of key individuals and entities that assist in funding ongoing violence.
He added that the Treasury Department, in coordination with the US’ allies and partners, will continue to target these networks and disrupt their critical sources of funding
According to Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, “Zadna International Development Limited is a key component of the Sudanese Armed Forces’ commercial empire,” which it uses for “money laundering.”
The sanctions also target “Al Fakher for Advanced Business Limited,” a holding company for gold export businesses linked to the RSF, which “helps generate millions of dollars for their military efforts.”
The US authorities stated that these three entities have “undermined peace, security, and stability in Sudan,” emphasizing that instead of fulfilling their commitments to protect civilians and implement ceasefires, the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF continued to exacerbate conflict, commit atrocities, and hinder the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The US pledged to continue to use available tools to end this destructive war, promote accountability, and assist the Sudanese people in achieving their demands for freedom, peace, and justice.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury affirmed that these sanctions reaffirm “the US’ ongoing commitment to identify and isolate sources of financing for both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF.”
It was further noted that the RSF controls Gulf Bank through various individuals and entities it owns or operates on its behalf.
The statement clarified that “Gulf Bank received $50 million from the Central Bank of Sudan just prior to the start of the current conflict.”
Regarding “Zadna,” it was highlighted that the company “has been and remains a critical component of the Sudanese Armed Forces’ commercial empire,” noting that it was previously part of the Sudanese Armed Forces’ Defense Industrial Corporation, and its transfer to the control of the Armed Forces Social Security Fund served the clear purpose of shielding it from civilian oversight.
As for “Al Fakher,” it was established by the top leadership of the RSF to be a holding company for the management of gold export businesses, and the leaders of the RSF have amassed millions of dollars through gold exports, which they used to purchase weapons, including crew-served weapons and rockets.
