Sudan’s JEM rejects US sanctions on its leader as legally baseless

September 13, 2025 (PORT SUDAN) – The Sudanese Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) on Saturday rejected U.S. sanctions against its leader Gibril Ibrahim, calling them legally baseless and an unjust measure.

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Ibrahim, who is also Sudan’s finance minister, and the allied al-Baraa bin Malik Brigade on Friday, accusing them of fueling the country’s conflict and of having ties to Iran.

In a statement, JEM spokesman Mohamed Zakaria said Ibrahim’s visit to Iran was part of his constitutional duties to strengthen economic relations. He questioned how official diplomatic travel could be considered a crime warranting sanctions.

“Gibril is neither the first nor the last Sudanese official to visit Iran,” the statement read, noting that “the United States itself negotiates with Tehran.”

Zakaria described the sanctions as part of an “external conspiracy” and “explicit support” for the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). He called the move a “desperate attempt” to save the RSF, which he claimed was on the verge of collapse.

Minawi condemns 

The sanctions were also condemned by Minni Arko Minnawi, governor of the Darfur region and leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement.

Minnawi said Ibrahim had worked to prevent the war and remained neutral for nine months. He stated their forces were compelled to fight only after the RSF’s actions “amounted to war crimes and genocide, bringing us to the point where battle became the only means of survival.”

He urged the U.S. administration to review its position based on verification, “away from rumours that… stem from the sources and animosities of adversaries.”