US Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated that the United States would intervene in Sudan where rival factions are fighting for control of the capital Khartoum.
Blinken said on Thursday that both sides in the conflict in Sudan had violated their commitments to a US-brokered, Saudi-backed ceasefire.
“We’re also looking at steps that we can take to make clear our views on any leaders who are moving Sudan in the wrong direction, including by perpetuating the violence and by violating ceasefires that they’ve actually committed to,” Blinken said in a news conference in Oslo, on Thursday.
The top US diplomat described the situation in Sudan as “incredibly fragile.”
Last month, Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) agreed to the truce.
The two sides had agreed to the ceasefire through the mediation of Saudi Arabia and the United States on May 20. But since then they have violated it on numerous occasions.
On Wednesday, the Sudanese army suspended its participation in the Saudi-backed talks with the RSF to end months of fighting.
Despite peace efforts, fighting continued unabated in the African country, with the army and the RSF trading blame over truce violations.
US imposes more sanctions on Sudan
Following Blinken’s statement, the White House announced new economic and visa sanctions against Sudanese leaders responsible for breaking the ceasefire and provoking what it called “appalling” bloodshed.
“We are following through by levying economic sanctions, imposing visa restrictions against actors who are perpetuating the violence,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement.
The war in Sudan has forced nearly 1.4 million people to flee their homes, including more than 350,000 who have crossed into neighboring countries.
More than six weeks into the conflict, the United Nations estimated that more than half the population requires aid and protection.
Leaders of the army and the RSF had held the top positions on Sudan’s ruling council since former leader Omar al-Bashir was toppled during an uprising in 2019.
