The United States government took a step towards accountability in January 2025 when it sanctioned General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the de facto leader of Sudan, for alleged use of chemical weapons. However, the lack of publicly available evidence for these claims left room for skepticism and speculation. Now, a groundbreaking investigation by France 24 has emerged, shedding light on the horrific reality of chemical warfare in Sudan, confirming that the SAF may have employed chlorine gas in two separate incidents in September 2024.
Chlorine, a substance commonly found in industrial applications, was weaponized in direct violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which Sudan is a signatory. This blatant disregard for international law is both alarming and indicative of the desperate lengths to which the military will go in its ongoing conflict against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The potential consequences of chlorine exposure—ranging from severe respiratory issues to death—underscore the abhorrent nature of its use as a weapon. Such actions not only constitute a grave violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention but also qualify as war crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
In a chilling confirmation of these allegations, journalists geolocated images and videos from September 2024 at the Garri military base and the nearby Jaili oil refinery, both of which were under RSF control during that time. These visual evidences reveal metal containers typically used for chlorine storage positioned near craters, alongside a horrifying video depicting the ominous yellow-green cloud associated with chlorine gas. Witness testimonies and social media accounts from both pro-RSF and pro-SAF factions lend additional credence to these disturbing occurrences. Human Rights Watch has conducted independent verification of the geolocation, reinforcing the credibility of this evidence.
The international community can no longer afford to turn a blind eye to these flagrant breaches of human rights and international law. All state parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention must galvanize support for a thorough and transparent investigation led by the Technical Secretariat of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. This investigation should include a rigorous verification procedure known as a challenge inspection. Furthermore, it is imperative for the United States to publish the specific evidence that led to its sanctions against al-Burhan, as transparency is crucial for accountability.
In a conflict already marred by a multitude of war crimes committed by both sides, the apparent deployment of a notoriously industrial chemical as a weapon sets a troubling precedent. Such actions not only threaten the integrity of international norms banning barbaric forms of warfare but also endanger the very foundation of human rights and dignity. It is the moral obligation of states around the world to act decisively against such transgressions, ensuring that those responsible for these atrocities are held accountable. The time for passive condemnation has passed; it is time for concrete action to uphold justice and protect the rights of the Sudanese people.
This article highlights the importance of CHEMICAL WEAPONS CRIME.
