The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has enacted sanctions against two prominent Sudanese Islamist figures: Gebreil Ibrahim Mohamed Fediel and the Al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade (BBMB). These measures are part of a broader strategy to mitigate Islamist influence in Sudan and counteract Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region.
The sanctions come in the wake of Sudan’s ongoing civil war, which has resulted in significant humanitarian crises, with estimates suggesting around 150,000 lives lost and over 14 million people displaced. Sudanese Islamist groups have played a critical role in undermining peace and obstructing efforts to achieve a democratic transition following decades of authoritarian rule under former President Omar al-Bashir.
John K. Hurley, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, emphasized the U.S. commitment to disrupting the activities of these groups. “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,” Hurley stated.
Background on the Sanctioned Individuals and Groups
Gebreil, who serves as Sudan’s Finance Minister and leads the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), is linked to the historic Islamist regime and has recently allied with Iranian interests to bolster political and economic ties. His forces have contributed to violent clashes and mass civilian casualties.
On the other hand, BBMB is an Islamist militia stemming from the former Bashir regime’s Popular Defense Forces. With over 20,000 fighters, BBMB has been implicated in numerous human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions and extrajudicial killings. The group has received military support from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), significantly impacting the conflict dynamics in Sudan.
Both Gebreil and BBMB are designated under Executive Order 14098, which targets individuals and entities involved in actions that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Sudan.
Sanctions Implications
As a consequence of the sanctions, all properties and interests controlled by Gebreil and BBMB within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked. U.S. individuals and entities are prohibited from engaging in transactions involving the sanctioned parties unless authorized by OFAC. Violating these sanctions may lead to severe civil and criminal penalties.
The U.S. remains dedicated to collaborating with regional partners to foster peace and stability in Sudan, ensuring it does not become a breeding ground for threats against American interests or security.
