US sanctions Sudanese Islamist leader, militia over Iran ties

Officials said the designations are intended to weaken Islamist influence in Sudan, disrupt Iranian regional activities, and push toward peace and stability in a country facing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.

“Sudanese Islamist groups have formed dangerous alliances with the Iranian regime. We will not stand by idly and allow them to threaten regional and global security,” said John K. Hurley, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence. “The Treasury Department is using our powerful sanctions tools to disrupt this activity and protect U.S. national security.”

Sudanese Islamist movements have played a destabilizing role in the country for decades, dating back to the rule of former president Omar al-Bashir, who held power for 30 years until his ouster in 2019. Their influence has repeatedly derailed Sudan’s efforts at democratic transition, most recently undermining the civilian-led transitional government and the Framework Political Agreement process.

Fighting erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict has left an estimated 150,000 people dead and displaced more than 14 million, according to U.S. officials. Islamist actors have obstructed ceasefire efforts while deepening ties with Iran, including receiving support from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Gebreil Ibrahim Mohamed Fediel is Sudan’s finance minister and chairman of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). Gebreil has sent thousands of fighters into battle against the RSF, contributing to the destruction of towns and mass civilian casualties. He has also worked to strengthen ties with Tehran, including a trip to Iran in November 2023.

The Al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade (BBMB) is rooted in Bashir-era Islamist paramilitary forces and has deployed more than 20,000 fighters against the RSF. OFAC said the group has received weapons and training from the IRGC and has been implicated in arbitrary arrests, torture, and executions.

Both Gebreil and BBMB were designated under Executive Order 14098, which targets individuals and groups undermining Sudan’s stability and democratic transition.

The designations freeze all property and assets belonging to Gebreil and BBMB under U.S. jurisdiction. American individuals and entities are barred from engaging in transactions with them unless specifically licensed.

OFAC emphasized that violations of these sanctions may result in civil or criminal penalties and warned that financial institutions and others could be exposed to sanctions if they engage with the designated parties.

The agency also reiterated that its ultimate goal is not punishment but behavioral change, and noted that sanctioned parties may petition for removal from the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List if they meet legal requirements.