US Sanctions a Former Sudanese Official and Two Entities for Undermining Peace Process

On Thursday, October 6, the US Department of State announced sanctions against a former Sudanese minister and two companies involved in months-long conflicts with the Sudanese army. According to the department's statement, the sanctions were imposed due to their "role in undermining peace, security, and stability in Sudan." The US State Department stated that visa restrictions have been implemented in this regard. The statement mentions that Ali Karti, the Secretary-General of the extremist Islamist group "Sudanese Islamic Movement," has been sanctioned. Ali Karti was the foreign minister under Omar al-Bashir's government and, after the regime's downfall, led efforts to undermine the previous civilian government and derail the so-called "Framework Political Agreement" process. The sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Department block all assets belonging to Karti's company in Sudan and a military company named "Avia Trade LLC" in Russia. The US State Department added that Karti and other officials from al-Bashir's regime obstruct efforts to achieve a ceasefire between the army and the Rapid Support Forces and to resume the transition to democracy in Sudan. In the conclusion of its statement, the department said it would continue to hold accountable those responsible for undermining the democratic transition process and human rights violations in Sudan. US efforts to establish a ceasefire and hold human rights violators accountable continue amid reports from the UN health agency about the outbreak of cholera and dengue fever in eastern Sudan. Additionally, the World Health Organization reported that 162 individuals suspected of having cholera have been hospitalized in hospitals in the "Gadaref" province of Sudan and other areas along the border with Ethiopia. According to the Associated Press, the WHO stated that there are 80 confirmed cases of cholera, and 10 people have died from this disease, which is a bacterial infection caused by contaminated food or water. The WHO reported last month that while poverty and conflict remain triggers for cholera outbreaks worldwide, powerful storms, heavy rains, and floods resulting from climate change are also exacerbating the spread of the disease. The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to 20 million people facing hunger, and the internal war has reached its 100th day. There are warnings about the "collapse" of Sudan's healthcare system, with 49,000 cancer patients at risk of death. The UN reported the discovery of "a mass grave" in Sudan. The consequences of three months of conflict in Sudan have resulted in the number of refugees and displaced persons reaching three million. The ongoing war in Sudan has prompted Egypt to hold a conference aimed at achieving peace.