U.S. sanctions former Sudanese officials for undermining peace and stability

 December 4, 2023 (WASHINGTON) – The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on three former Sudanese regime officials for their role in undermining Sudan’s peace, security, and stability.

The designated individuals are Taha Osman Ahmed al-Hussein (Taha), a former State Minister and Presidential Office Director to former Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir, Salah Abdallah Mohamed Salah (Salah Gosh), and Mohamed Etta Elmoula Abbas (Elmoula). Gosh and Elmoula served as directors of the National Intelligence and Security Services under the al-Bashir regime.

The sanctions were imposed in response to the individuals’ efforts to destabilize Sudan and derail its transition to democracy. Al-Hussein was involved in coordinating with regional actors to support the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of human rights abuses. Gosh plotted to overthrow the civilian-led transitional government, while Elmoula worked to restore the al-Bashir regime to power.

“These sanctions are a direct response to the efforts of these individuals to undermine Sudan’s peace and stability,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “The United States will continue to hold accountable those who seek to impede Sudan’s progress toward a democratic future.”

For his part, the State Department spokesperson underscored that this action advances U.S. efforts to undermine those fueling the conflict and obstructing the Sudanese people’s aspirations for peace and civilian, democratic rule.

“The United States will continue to use the tools at our disposal to disrupt the ability of the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces to further prolong this war and to hold accountable those responsible for deepening the conflict or obstructing a return to civilian government.”

As a result of the sanctions, all assets and properties of the designated individuals in the United States or under U.S. control are frozen. U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with the designated individuals or their affiliates.

The sanctions are part of a broader effort by the United States to support Sudan’s transition to democracy and promote peace and stability in the country. In recent months, the U.S. has also imposed sanctions on RSF leaders and Islamist groups involved in violence and destabilizing activities.

Since the breakout of the fighting on April 15, the U.S. administration has sanctioned leading members of the RSF or the Islamist Movement. On September 6, the OFAC sanctioned Abdel Rahim Daglo, the RSF deputy leader, and Abdul Rahman Juma, RSF commander in West Darfur state, due to human rights violations and crimes.

On September 28, the office imposed sanctions on Ali Karti, a Sudanese Islamist leader, for leading efforts to undermine the former civilian-led transitional government and the Framework Political Agreement process, which contributed to the outbreak of fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF on April 15, 2023.

The sanctions also included two RSF companies, GSK and Aviatrade LLC, which were both designated for being responsible for or engaged in actions or policies that threaten Sudan’s peace, security, or stability.