U.S. Sentry calls for targeted financial sanctions on Sudan’s coup leaders
November 3, 2021 (WASHINGTON) – Sudan’s military hijacked power to protect their economic and private interests, said The Sentry, an investigative and policy group and called for targeted sanctions against them.
In a new report released on Wednesday, the group detailed power dynamics in Sudan after the 25th October coup and proposed several measures to revitalize the civilian-led democratic transition in Sudan.
“By staging the October 25th coup d’état, Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, cadres of the former regime, and opportunistic allied militias and armed movements are yet again seeking to hijack the Sudanese economy for their private interests and for those of their regional allies and backers,” reads a statement the Sentry issued.
Salah Manna, a member of the Empowerment Removal Committee on Thursday released an audio recording where he explains the manipulations in the salaries of the Sudanese troops in Yemen and the gold exportation by the military leadership in Sudan.
Manna added that al-Burhan dissolved their committee because they learnt about these manipulations.
“Sudan’s kleptocratic and repressive deep state, constructed over three decades by Omer al-Bashir and his regime, has survived the fall of that dictator,” said Suliman Baldo, Senior Advisor at The Sentry and report co-author.
The report called for financial pressure stressing it is essential for building the leverage needed to get the democratic transition back on track in Sudan.
“Governments and international agencies should impose targeted network sanctions on the Sudanese officials involved in the coup, as well as those responsible for subsequent abuses perpetrated by the security forces,” says the Sentry.
The report coincides with a bill by U.S. Congressmen for the imposition of targeted sanctions on the economic companies of the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support forces, particularly on its commander who works in gold mining and other important sectors.
(ST)