Biden expands US sanctioning powers over 'betrayal' in Sudan

US President calls for durable ceasefire amid 'unconscionable' violence

Civilians of different nationalities arrive at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after fleeing violence in Sudan. Reuters

Follow the latest news from Sudan crisis here

US President Joe Biden on Thursday called the deadly violence in Sudan an “unconscionable betrayal”, issuing an executive order that expands Washington's sanctioning powers aimed at ending the crisis.

“The violence taking place in Sudan is a tragedy — and it is a betrayal of the Sudanese people’s clear demand for civilian government and a transition to democracy,” Mr Biden said in a statement.

“I join the peace-loving people of Sudan and leaders around the world in calling for a durable ceasefire between the belligerent parties.”

In a letter sent to Congress, the US President announced an executive order that expands the scope of a previous national emergency declared with regard to Khartoum, “finding that the situation in Sudan … constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States”.

Mr Biden said the move will amplify Washington's capacity to respond to the violence that began on April 15 with sanctions "that hold individuals responsible for threatening the peace, security, and stability of Sudan".

"The Sudanese people suffered 30 years under an authoritarian regime — but they never gave up on their commitment to democracy or their hope for a better future," Mr Biden said in his statement.

The move came as Khartoum residents said on Thursday that the capital city was violently shaken at dawn by air strikes around the Nile-side presidential palace and headquarters of the armed forces, despite a ceasefire.

The UN has said that more than 100,000 people have fled the country since heavy fighting broke out last month between rival forces.

Washington's Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday that the conflict between Sudan's military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces is "likely to be protracted", because both sides believe they can prevail militarily and have few incentives to negotiate.

The warring parties, Ms Haines said, are both are seeking "external sources of support", which "is likely to intensify the conflict and create a greater potential for spillover challenges in the region".