Sanctioning a Transnational Network Fueling the Conflict in Sudan

On November 19, President Trump detailed the horrific atrocities occurring in Sudan. The United States will use its power and influence to halt them. Today, the U.S. government has sanctioned four individuals and four entities for their role in fueling the civil war in Sudan and its devastating consequences. These individuals and entities belong to a transnational network — composed primarily of Colombian nationals and companies — that recruits former Colombian military personnel to fight for the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and trains fighters, including children. Today’s sanctions disrupt an important source of external support to the RSF, degrading its ability to use skilled Colombian fighters to prosecute violence against civilians.

As President Trump has said, Sudan is suffering from the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. Since the outbreak of conflict on April 15, 2023, the RSF and its allied militias have attacked civilians, systematically killing men and boys — even infants — and have deliberately targeted women and girls with rape. The RSF, with the support of Colombian fighters, captured the North Darfur capital, El Fasher, on October 26 after laying siege to the city for 18 months, and then carried out mass killings of civilians, ethnically targeted torture, and sexual violence. Today’s sanctions target the individuals and entities that have supported the RSF in perpetrating these atrocities, including those providing tactical and technical expertise and training.

To prevent the civil war in Sudan from destabilizing the region and making the country a safe haven for those who threaten U.S. interests, the United States is committed to implementing the principles outlined in the September 12 Joint Statement on Restoring Peace and Security in Sudan. That statement calls for a three-month humanitarian truce followed by a permanent ceasefire and a transparent transition process aimed at establishing an independent, civilian-led government. The United States will coordinate with countries in the region to end these atrocities and stabilize Sudan and again calls on external actors to stop providing military and financial support to the belligerents.

Today’s action is being taken pursuant to the authorities under Executive Order (E.O.) 14098. For more information on today’s action, please see the Department of the Treasury’s press release.