A procurement decision by authorities in Port Sudan has raised concerns extending beyond a routine import contract, placing Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his SAF under renewed scrutiny over potential chemical weapons use.
What began as a standard tender process for importing chlorine gas—used in drinking water purification—has evolved into a controversial issue involving the military-linked Defense Industries System, a body already under U.S. sanctions.
According to documents and testimony cited in the report, the Khartoum State Water Authority had earlier issued two tenders: one for liquefied chlorine gas and another for polyaluminium chloride, both essential for water treatment. Dozens of companies reportedly applied after meeting all legal requirements, and the bids were evaluated in a transparent process.
However, the process took an abrupt turn. Human rights lawyer Rehab al-Mubarak Sayed Ahmed said a direct order was issued to halt private sector participation and grant exclusive control of chlorine imports to the Defense Industries System.
The decision effectively created a monopoly over a highly sensitive dual-use substance—one that, while vital for water purification, can also be used in the production of chemical weapons.
“This sudden move raises serious questions,” the lawyer said, noting that a recent chlorine shipment imported via Port Sudan was allegedly processed in a way that made it suitable for weaponisation.
Concerns are amplified by previous allegations that SAF have used chemical agents in multiple cities across the country, including Kutum and Mellit in North Darfur, Sennar state, Nyala in South Darfur, and al-Jaili near Khartoum.
Observers suggest the move may be linked to supply disruptions following the Iran war, which reportedly affected military procurement channels previously relied upon by the Defense Industries System.
Further scrutiny has fallen on Mirghani Idris Suleiman, head of the military industrial body and a close ally of Burhan. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned him in October 2024, citing his role in expanding the SAF’s weapons capabilities, including procurement of drones from Iran and Russia instead of prioritising peace efforts.
Analysts say recent rhetoric from figures linked to Sudan’s Islamist movement has also raised alarm. Calls for the use of “lethal force” in the ongoing war, including statements by political figure Haj Majid Suwar, have been interpreted as signals of possible escalation.
Sudan analyst Sibawayh Yusuf said such statements align with a broader pattern since the war began in April 2023, arguing that evidence has increasingly pointed to the use of chemical agents rather than mere allegations.
Previous investigations have added to these concerns. A probe by France 24 reported chlorine gas use near an النفط refinery north of Khartoum in September 2024, while a study by C4ADS documented chemical imports linked to military-controlled companies.
In January 2025, The New York Times cited senior U.S. officials as saying General al-Burhan’s SAF had used chemical weapons at least twice during the conflict, with chlorine gas identified as the likely agent.
Chlorine exposure can cause severe respiratory damage and, in high concentrations, death.
Taken together, these developments have intensified concerns that control over chlorine imports may serve purposes beyond civilian use, placing Sudan’s military leadership under growing international scrutiny.
