banner
News center
Supported by up-to-date processing gear

Sudan cease

May 29, 2023

Destroyed vehicles are pictured outside the burnt-down headquarters of Sudan's Central Bureau of Statistic in Khartoum. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday that they were suspending cease-fire talks between the warring Sudanese military and Rapid Support Forces militia, saying both sides had repeatedly committed "serious violations" of the truce.

Driving the news: The talks broke down on Wednesday after the Sudanese military said it was pulling out of the negotiations, which began last month in Jeddah. The military accused the RSF of violating the truce and failing to implement the commitments it had made during the negotiations. The RSF accused the military of violating the cease-fire first.

What they're saying: "This decision [to suspend the talks] comes as a result of repeated serious violations of the ceasefire by the Sudanese army and the RSF," the U.S. and Saudi Arabia said in a statement.

The big picture: In a separate move on Thursday, the Biden administration also announced new sanctions on Sudanese companies and visa restrictions on officials it said were affiliated with the Sudanese military or the RSF.

State of play: The Department of Treasury designated a gold-mining company it said was affiliated with the RSF. A senior U.S. official told reporters the RSF used the revenue from the gold mines to buy weapons.

The Department of Treasury also designated a Sudanese government-controlled company, which is in control of several other companies involved in producing weapons and vehicles for the Sudanese military, the Biden administration said.

Additionally, the State Department imposed visa bans on Sudanese individuals from the army and the RSF, as well as leaders tied to the regime of former leader Omar al-Bashir.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement that the failure of the Sudanese army and the RSF to abide by the ceasefire "only further deepens our concern that the people of Sudan will once again face a protracted conflict and widespread suffering at the hands of the security forces."

Go deeper: How a rivalry between generals sparked a battle to control Sudan

Driving the news: What they're saying: The big picture: State of play: The Department of Treasury Additionally White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan Go deeper: