US sanctions eight individuals, entities including Indian national, Chhattisgarh firm over alleged Sudan conflict networks
Washington DC, June 27
The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on eight individuals and entities, including an Indian national and a Chhattisgarh-based explosives manufacturer, for their alleged links to procurement and recruitment networks that Washington said have fuelled Sudan's civil war.
In a statement, the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions targeting networks that it said have enabled both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to sustain and intensify the conflict, worsening what it described as one of the world's gravest humanitarian crises.
Among those designated are Indian national Alok Choudhari, Chief Executive Officer of SBL Energy Limited, based in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, and the company itself.
The Treasury Department alleged that SBL Energy supplied explosives and explosives-related materiel to Sudan-based Target Multiactivities Company Ltd (TMAC), a company controlled by Sudan's Defence Industries System (DIS) through Giad Industrial Group, both of which had previously been sanctioned by the US.
The Treasury alleged that the explosives supplied by SBL Energy were subsequently used in bombs deployed by the Sudanese Armed Forces.
"SBL, whose chief executive officer is Indian national Alok Choudhari, has supplied TMAC with over 200 shipments of explosives and explosives-related materiel since 2024," the statement said.
OFAC designated SBL Energy under Executive Order 14098 for allegedly providing material support to TMAC, while Choudhari was sanctioned in his capacity as the company's chief executive officer.
The sanctions package also includes Sudan-based firms Target Multiactivities Company Ltd. and Ports Engineering Company Ltd., Sudanese national Tariq Hussain Muhammad Madani, and three individuals from Panama and Colombia linked to an alleged recruitment network accused of facilitating the deployment of former Colombian military personnel to fight for the RSF.
Following the announcement, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration remained committed to advancing peace in Sudan.
"The networks profiting from the conflict in Sudan jeopardise the prospects for the humanitarian truce that the Sudanese people desperately need," Bessent said.
The US also called on the SAF and the RSF to accept an immediate, unconditional three-month humanitarian truce and urged external actors to cease all financial and military support to the parties involved in the conflict.
Under the sanctions, all property and interests in property of the designated individuals and entities within the United States or under the control of US persons are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving them.
— ANI
Reader Comments
US sanctions again? 🙄 They always find a reason to target Indian businesses. First it was Russian oil, now Sudan. I'm not saying SBL Energy is innocent, but the US should also look at what their own allies are doing in Sudan. Hypocrisy at its finest! India should protect its legitimate businesses from such unilateral actions.
Honestly, as an Indian, I feel ashamed. 😔 We always talk about 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family), but here we are supplying explosives that kill innocent people in Sudan. Business is business, but there should be ethical boundaries. The Chhattisgarh firm needs to answer tough questions.
So the US sanctions an Indian company but what about the Chinese weapons that are flooding Sudan? 🤔 Selective targeting as usual. India should have a robust export control mechanism to prevent such situations, but let's not pretend the US is doing this out of humanitarian concern. They have their own geopolitical games.
Thank you for highlighting this! 🌟 As an Indian, I feel we need stricter regulations on arms and explosives exports. Business shouldn't come at the cost of human lives. The government should investigate SBL Energy thoroughly and ensure such activities don't tarnish India's image globally. Also, our embassy in Sudan should help any affected Indian citizens.
I run a small business in Raipur, and this news is shocking. 😧 SBL Energy is a known entity here. But why is the US targeting only one Indian company? The entire global arms trade is murky. India must strengthen its own export control laws instead of relying on
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.