The United States announced it will impose new sanctions on Sudan after discovering the use of chemical weapons in last year’s civil war between Sudan’s military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the State Department confirmed.

US exports to Sudan will face restrictions, and limits on the country’s financial borrowing will take effect from 6 June, according to spokesperson Tammy Bruce. Both the Sudanese military and the RSF have previously been accused of war crimes amid the ongoing conflict.

Since the conflict began two years ago, more than 150,000 people have died as the army and RSF engaged in a brutal power struggle. Although Sudan’s military recently regained control of Khartoum, fighting continues in other regions.

While the US did not specify the chemical agents found, the New York Times reported in January that Sudan used chlorine gas twice—a substance known for causing severe pain, injury, and even death.

“The United States calls on the government of Sudan to cease all chemical weapons use and uphold its obligations under the CWC,” the statement said, referencing the Chemical Weapons Convention, which commits signatories to eliminate their chemical weapons stockpiles.

Almost every nation, including Sudan, is a signatory to the CWC, with exceptions including Egypt, North Korea, and South Sudan, according to the Arms Control Association. Israel has signed but not ratified the treaty, meaning it has not fully committed legally.

“The United States remains fully committed to hold to account those responsible for contributing to chemical weapons proliferation,” Bruce added.

This latest round of sanctions follows previous US measures imposed in January against leaders on both sides of the conflict. Sudan’s military chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan was accused of “destabilising Sudan and undermining the goal of a democratic transition,” a charge condemned by Sudan’s foreign ministry as “strange and troubling.”

Meanwhile, RSF leader Mohammed Hamdan Daglo, also known as Hemedti, was described by former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken as having committed genocide.

The fighting has displaced approximately 12 million people and left 25 million reliant on food aid—over twice the population of London.

Despite the fresh sanctions, the AFP news agency suggests these measures may have limited additional impact due to previous restrictions.

Tensions have also escalated regarding the role of the United Arab Emirates in the conflict. While Sudan and the UAE maintained diplomatic relations until recently, the Sudanese government alleges the UAE supplied arms to the RSF, a claim the UAE denies.

Following US President Donald Trump’s warm reception in the UAE last week, some Democrats in Congress sought to block US arms sales to the UAE, partly because of its alleged involvement in Sudan’s civil war.

A Sudanese diplomatic source told Reuters that the US sanctions were imposed “to distract from the recent campaign in Congress against the UAE.”

Earlier this month, Sudan’s attempt to sue the UAE for genocide was rejected by a leading UN court.

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