Washington has called on Sudan’s military-led administration to acknowledge alleged chemical weapons violations during the ongoing conflict that began in April 2023. The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs tweeted that “the Sudanese government must immediately recognize its violations, halt any further use of chemical weapons, and fully cooperate with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).”
In May 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan following confirmed chemical weapons use in 2024. The U.S. ambassador to the OPCW also stated in October that Washington’s allegations are backed by strong evidence.
The situation intensified after Chad formally requested an OPCW investigation into General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) for allegedly using prohibited weapons. The OPCW has confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation and any formal action would be triggered by a member state’s request.
Since early 2025, experts have linked several health and environmental issues in Khartoum, central Sudan, and North Darfur to chemical contamination.
Human Rights Watch independently verified photos and videos circulated by a special unit of France 24, which indicate that Sudanese forces used chlorine, a chemical banned under international law. Such actions could constitute war crimes under the Rome Statute, prompting calls from the international community for urgent intervention.
