Sudan continues engagement with Washington over chemical weapons claims

October 8, 2024 (THE HAGUE) – Sudan said on Wednesday it continues to engage with the United States over allegations it used chemical weapons in its war against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), addressing the issue at a meeting of the global chemical weapons watchdog.

In a statement to the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Sudan’s delegation said its government “continues its constructive engagement” with Washington regarding claims first made in May 2025 about chemical use in the previous year.

The United States accused the Sudanese government of using chemical weapons on May 22 and imposed sanctions, including restrictions on exports and access to credit lines.

Sudan’s government and armed forces have denied the allegations. Sovereignty Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan formed a national committee on May 29 to investigate the claims, which the delegation said continues its work despite “difficult circumstances” from the war.

In its statement, the delegation accused the RSF of receiving significant regional support, including advanced weapons and mercenaries across its western borders. It singled out the United Arab Emirates for supplying the RSF with weapons, including drones, via Chad and Libya, despite a U.N. Security Council arms embargo on the Darfur region.

Sudan affirmed its commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and “the importance of international efforts to build a world free of chemical weapons.”

The delegation also welcomed progress on Syria’s chemical weapons file, praised Qatar’s role within the OPCW, and condemned Israel’s use of white phosphorus in Palestine.