18 dead in army strike on market in Khartoum
New US sanctions on Sudan leaders
The US on Thursday slapped sanctions on Sudanese leaders it blames for the breakdown of a Saudi and US-brokered ceasefire after shelling and airstrikes killed 18 civilians at a market in Khartoum.
The capital and other parts of Sudan have been gripped for nearly seven weeks by deadly fighting between the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, both of which Washington held responsible for violating the ceasefire and causing “appalling” bloodshed. Fighting continued on Thursday, with heavy artillery fire in north Khartoum, days after the two sides had agreed to extend a ceasefire meant to allow essential aid deliveries. On Wednesday the army pulled out of the truce talks in Jeddah, accusing its rival of violating the ceasefire.
Eighteen civilians were killed and 106 wounded by army shelling and airstrikes on the market in south Khartoum. A neighborhood group that organizes aid said the situation was “catastrophic” and appealed for medical help and blood donations. In both north and south Khartoum, troops loyal to army chief Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan attacked key bases of the Rapid Support Forces commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
In Washington, the US imposed sanctions on four companies, two from each side. Of the two linked to the paramilitaries, one is involved in Sudan’s lucrative gold mining industry.
“We are following through by levying economic sanctions, imposing visa restrictions against actors who are perpetuating the violence,” US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said.
Sudan’s warring sides amassed considerable wealth during the 30year rule of dictator Omar Bashir, whose government was subjected to decades of international sanctions before his overthrow in 2019. However, the new penalties were not universally welcomed. Sudanese pro-democracy activist and author Raga Makawi said sanctions brought “inhumane consequences on communities and cities at large: they weaken economies and turn them towards illicit transactions.” Since fighting erupted on April 15, more than 1,800 people have been killed, 1.2 million have been
displaced inside Sudan and more than 425,000 have fled abroad. Humanitarian corridors that had been promised under the latest ceasefire never materialized, according to aid agencies that have managed to deliver a fraction of the relief supplies they need.
“The security situation is significantly hampering our ability to undertake humanitarian activities in Khartoum,” said Fatima Mohammed Cole of the UN refugee agency after two of its offices in the capital were looted. More than half the population, 25 million people, are now in need of aid and protection, the UN said.