The United States imposed sanctions Thursday on former Sudanese foreign minister Ali Karti, accusing him of obstructing efforts to reach a ceasefire between the rival Sudanese parties.
Karti, who was foreign minister from 2010 to 2015 in the government of now-deposed Omar al-Bashir, is currently secretary general of the Sudanese Islamic Movement.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the movement as "a hardline Islamist group that actively opposes Sudan's democratic transition."
“Following the fall of the al-Bashir regime, Karti led efforts to undermine the former civilian-led transitional government and derail the Framework Political Agreement process,” said Blinken.
“He and other former regime officials are now obstructing efforts to reach a ceasefire between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, mobilizing forces to enable continued fighting, and opposing Sudanese civilian efforts to resume Sudan’s stalled democratic transition,” he added in a statement.
"Today's action holds accountable those who have undercut efforts to find a peaceful, democratic solution in Sudan," the Treasury Department's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian Nelson, said in a statement.
"We will continue to target actors perpetuating this conflict for personal gain."
The US also imposed sanctions on two companies, GSK Advance Company Ltd (GSK) which is ostensibly a Sudan-based information technology and security company, and Aviatrade LLC, a Russia-based company.
The Treasury said that as of late 2020, GSK worked with Aviatrade LLC, “to arrange the procurement of parts and supplies, as well as training, for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) previously purchased by the RSF.”
“As of mid-2023, the RSF used GSK to facilitate additional purchases from Aviatrade LLC, including monitoring equipment and spare parts. Purchases between GSK and Aviatrade LLC were likely directed by senior leaders within the RSF.”
Sanctions aim at locking those named out of legitimate trade and finance networks and allowing the seizure of their assets under US jurisdiction.
The State Department meanwhile said it added a number of members of Bashir's regime to its visa ban list. It did not provide the names.
“Karti is designated for being responsible for, or complicit in, or having directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, actions or policies that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Sudan," added the Treasury.
“He and other hardline Sudanese Islamists are actively obstructing efforts to reach a ceasefire to end the current war between the SAF and RSF and opposing Sudanese civilians’ efforts to restore Sudan’s democratic transition.”
