By Rabia Iclal Turan
WASHINGTON (AA) - Outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed regret Thursday over his inability to end the civil war in Sudan, as the US announced sanctions targeting the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces.
The conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, continuing since April 2023, has claimed thousands of lives and forced millions from their homes.
"It is for me, yes, another real regret that when it comes to Sudan, we haven't been able on our watch to get to that day of success," Blinken told reporters in his final briefing.
He said there have been "some improvements" in getting humanitarian assistance into Sudan through US diplomacy, but said the US has not achieved an end to the conflict, abuses, or the suffering of the people.
"We'll keep working here for the next three days," he added.
Blinken's remarks came as the US imposed sanctions Wednesday on Sudanese chief Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, accusing him of leading efforts to exacerbate the war, resulting in mass atrocities against civilians.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said Burhan was being sanctioned under Executive Order 14098 for his alleged role in destabilizing Sudan and undermining democratic transition efforts.
OFAC also sanctioned Sudanese-Ukrainian national Ahmad Abdalla and his Hong Kong-based company, Portex Trade Limited, for facilitating weapons procurement for the SAF. Abdalla is accused of securing Iranian-made drones through illicit channels.
The US clarified that the sanctions are not intended to hinder humanitarian assistance in Sudan, which is grappling with one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. General licenses have been issued to ensure humanitarian transactions, including medical aid and agricultural support, remain unaffected.