US Congress pushes sanctions bill to choke Sudan's war financing

The United States is moving to make its sanctions on Sudan permanent. Two bills in Congress would codify existing executive measures, expanding secondary sanctions on aviation and gold‑trading networks that are alleged to fund the conflict. The proposals would broaden the scope of financial restrictions, require regular congressional oversight, and make it harder for the sanctions to be reversed.

At the same time, a new sanctions package targeting the Sudanese Armed Forces has taken effect. Citing evidence of chemical weapons use, the United States has tightened export controls, barred Sudanese state‑owned airlines from US airspace, and directed agencies to oppose loans and assistance from international financial institutions. The measures deepen Sudan’s isolation from Western finance and aviation and increase pressure on its military government, while also creating diplomatic tension with Saudi Arabia, a regional backer of the Sudanese regime.

Human‑rights groups say the steps are intended to cut economic incentives that sustain the war and to enforce the global taboo on chemical weapons, hoping to improve the humanitarian situation in Sudan.