A US-based research institute has called for an independent investigation into the scale of Sudan’s alleged chemical weapons programme following recent reports concerning the use of banned agents during the country’s war.
The Capitol Institute issued a statement responding to investigative reporting cited by Sudanese media as coming from The New York Times and The Washington Post, warning that the allegations, if substantiated, could have serious implications for regional and international security.
The institute said the claims should not be treated as isolated accusations, pointing to the United States’ earlier determination that Sudanese government forces had used chemical weapons and the subsequent imposition of additional US sanctions.
It called for senior officials and commanders found responsible for any chemical weapons programme or deployment to be held accountable, arguing that further targeted sanctions could help deter future violations of international humanitarian law.
The Capitol Institute also urged international investigators to establish the true scale and structure of the alleged programme and to preserve evidence that could potentially be used in future legal proceedings.
According to the institute, secrecy surrounding the allegations risks undermining efforts to secure peace and accountability in Sudan.
It warned that the possible use of internationally prohibited weapons in a conflict already marked by mass displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis would represent a significant escalation.
The institute concluded by calling for the establishment of an independent international fact-finding mission to investigate the allegations, identify those responsible and determine the extent of any chemical weapons capability linked to Sudan’s war.
