Sudan civil war: US sanctions Indian firm, Raipur CEO among 8 entities, says ‘these networks supply explosives….’
The United States has imposed sanctions on eight individuals and entities, including an Indian national linked to an explosives manufacturing company, over allegations that they
The United States has imposed sanctions on eight individuals and entities, including an Indian national linked to an explosives manufacturing company, over allegations that they helped fuel Sudan's ongoing civil war. In a statement issued on Friday, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said the sanctioned networks had enabled both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to strengthen and prolong the conflict in the African country. Among those sanctioned is Alok Choudhari of Raipur, Chief Executive Officer of SBL Energy Limited, also known as Amin Explosive Private Limited. According to OFAC, the company supplied more than 200 shipments of explosives and related materials to a firm responsible for maintaining the SAF's weapons stockpile. The Treasury Department also imposed sanctions on SBL Energy Limited and other firms based in Sudan and Egypt.
What did the US Department of State say? "These networks supply weapons, explosives, and foreign fighters to both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. Their support has prolonged a conflict that has created the world's worst humanitarian crisis and provided space for terrorist groups to operate," Tommy Pigott, spokesperson of the US Department of State, said in a statement. Also Read | India advises against travel to DRC, Uganda and South Sudan amid Ebola emergency Raipur-based SBL Energy allegedly supplied explosives and related material to Sudan-based Target Multiactivities Company (TMAC), the US Treasury Department said. The explosives were subsequently used in bombs deployed by the SAF, it mentioned. TMAC and its general manager, senior DIS officer Tariq Hussain Muhammad Madani, have also been blacklisted. According to the US Treasury Department, the Defense Industries System (DIS), Sudan's largest defence enterprise, supports and maintains the SAF's arsenal of arms, ammunition, vehicles and material, often acquired from Iran and other external backers.
Also Read | ICC requests life term for Sudan axe murderer militia chief DIS controls numerous subsidiaries, including the Sudanese conglomerate, Giad Industrial Group (Giad) -- also known as Sudan Master Technology -- through complex and opaque structures from which it has generated billions of dollars. DIS's acquisition of military equipment and related material has enabled the SAF to sustain combat operations against the RSF, conduct attacks against civilians, and reject and obstruct efforts to cease hostilities and achieve a ceasefire, the US Treasury Department said, adding that DIS and Giad were sanctioned in 2023. OFAC also designated Ports Engineering Company Ltd, a state-owned civil engineering construction firm established in 1998 and based in Port Sudan. Also Read | ICC requests life term for Sudan axe murderer militia chief According to US authorities, the firm was linked to Sudan Master Technology and had imported military uniforms and footwear for Sudanese intelligence from a company in the United Arab Emirates, as well as ammunition belts and weapons cases from a Turkish company after the conflict began in April 2023.
