Sanctions imposed by the United States against Sudan are expected to become legally binding within days, pending their official listing in the Federal Register, a U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed Thursday.
The measures, first announced on May 22, are in response to serious allegations that Sudanese government forces deployed chemical weapons in their ongoing conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Once published, the sanctions will be enforceable immediately, according to U.S. officials.
These punitive steps will reportedly impact Sudan’s ability to access U.S. exports and international financial channels, including credit facilities.
While the U.S. had earlier indicated June 6 as the effective date, the implementation process hinges on the formal publication of the decision.
The Sudanese Armed Forces and government have rejected the allegations, denying any use of banned weapons since the conflict escalated in April 2023. Nonetheless, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan’s Sovereignty Council, established an internal committee on May 29 to investigate the accusations.
The RSF has claimed that it submitted evidence to the United Nations regarding the use of chemical agents by government forces in at least 11 areas across Sudan, including major conflict zones such as Khartoum, North Darfur, Al Jazirah, and Sennar.
These claims drew wider international attention following a January 2025 New York Times article that cited unnamed U.S. intelligence sources implicating the Sudanese military.
As the international community monitors developments closely, the implementation of U.S. sanctions could mark a turning point in Washington’s approach to Sudan’s ongoing civil war, which has already displaced millions and triggered severe humanitarian crises.