The United States government has imposed sanctions on General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of Sudan’s army and the country’s de facto president.

Gen Burhan has been leading one of the two factions in Sudan’s devastating 21-month civil war, a conflict that has led to tens of thousands of deaths, displaced over 12 million people, and pushed the nation to the brink of famine.

In a brief statement, the US Treasury Department accused Gen Burhan of “destabilizing Sudan and undermining the goal of a democratic transition.” This move follows reports of civilian killings in the central city of Wad Madani in recent days, although these reports were not specifically mentioned in the Treasury’s announcement.

Sudan’s foreign ministry was quick to dismiss the sanctions as “immoral.” This is not the first time Washington has taken action against key figures in Sudan’s conflict.

Just last week, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the paramilitary group fighting the army, was also sanctioned by the US. Dagalo’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been accused by the US of committing genocide during the conflict.

In announcing the sanctions on Burhan, the US alleged that the army under his command “has committed lethal attacks on civilians, including targeting “schools, markets, and hospitals.” Furthermore, the US claims that the military is responsible for “the routine and intentional denial of humanitarian access, using food deprivation as a war tactic.”

The sanctions freeze any assets the Sudanese leader may have in the US and block any transactions with him. While the Treasury Department has issued exemptions for humanitarian goods, there is concern among aid groups that the army might retaliate by further restricting access to assistance.

During the first year of the conflict, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused the Sudanese army of committing war crimes. Following the recent military seizure of Wad Madani, Gen Burhan ordered an investigation into widespread allegations of atrocities committed by his troops.

The move came after concerns that civilians, including foreign nationals, were killed in Wad Madani after the military recaptured it from the RSF.

Tank — The Sudanese military has achieved a major victory by recapturing Wad Madani

Strategic City Seized Amid Rising Tensions

Wad Madani, located 87 miles (140km) south of Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, serves as a strategic crossroads that connects several states through key supply highways. The city fell to the RSF about a year ago, but the military regained control on Saturday.

The military’s actions in Wad Madani have raised international concern, with a Sudanese rights group accusing them of going on a rampage in nearby Camp Taiba, where at least 13 people were reportedly killed.

The UN’s humanitarian chief in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, expressed deep concern about retaliatory attacks against civilians in Gezira state, which were allegedly based on affiliation or ethnicity. US special envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello called these reports “appalling” and urged the army to ensure accountability by investigating and holding those responsible to account.

Meanwhile, neighboring South Sudan has summoned Sudan’s ambassador to protest the loss of lives among its citizens. The South Sudanese foreign ministry stated that it had received a comprehensive report from its embassy in Sudan detailing the events that led to the deaths of its innocent citizens, who maintain a non-combatant status.

Gen Burhan has said he set up a committee to investigate the alleged killings in Camp Taiba, with a report expected within a week. However, he did not comment on the broader concerns raised by South Sudan or whether the investigation would include other reported atrocities in Gezira state.

The Sudanese military has previously accused the RSF of hiring South Sudanese as “mercenaries” to fight on its side. The ongoing conflict and the international response continue to highlight the dire situation in Sudan, as both military and paramilitary forces vie for control, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire.