'Unfounded, false': Sudan rejects US claims over alleged chemical weapons use

KHARTOUM, Sudan/ISTANBUL

The Sudanese government on Friday rejected what it described as "unfounded" and "false" US claims regarding the army's alleged use of chemical weapons in the country's ongoing war.

In a statement, Sudan's Foreign Ministry "categorically denied the baseless allegations contained in the US State Department's Thursday statement about the Sudanese army's using chemical weapons."

"We condemn the measures the US administration announced it intends to take against Sudan based on these false claims," the statement said.

In an earlier statement, Sudanese Information Minister Khalid Al-Ayasir said Sudan “strongly denounces” recent accusations and sanctions announced by the US administration, calling them a form of “political blackmail” and a "distortion of facts about the situation in Sudan."

On Thursday, the US announced that it will impose sanctions on Sudan after determining that the Sudanese government used chemical weapons in 2024 amid its ongoing conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

The measures, set to take effect next month, include “restrictions on US exports to Sudan and on access to US government lines of credit,” the US State Department said in a statement.

Al-Ayasir, who also serves as the government spokesperson, accused the US of pursuing long-standing policies that he said "hinder the Sudanese people’s path to peace, stability, and prosperity."

“It’s no surprise these policies resurface whenever the country makes tangible progress,” he said.

He added that the latest allegations, which he said are unsupported by evidence, follow a familiar pattern of fabrications and misinformation.

“Today, the same unfounded claims are being recycled - this time about the use of chemical weapons - while Washington remains silent on well-documented crimes against civilians in Darfur and other regions,” Al-Ayasir said.