Sudan Conflict: Evidence Suggests Chemical Weapons Use by Military Forces
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has taken a deeply concerning turn, with mounting evidence suggesting the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) may have deployed chemical weapons. While the United States government sanctioned SAF head General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in January 2025 based on these allegations, concrete public evidence remained elusive – until now.
New Inquiry Corroborates US Claims
A recent investigation by France 24 has uncovered the first publicly available evidence supporting the US claim of chemical weapon use. The findings indicate potential deployment of chlorine gas during two separate incidents in September 2024.
Chlorine, while a common industrial chemical, is explicitly prohibited as a weapon under the Chemical Weapons Convention, a treaty to which Sudan is a signatory. Its use constitutes a grave breach of international law.
The Dangers of Chlorine as a weapon
Exposure to chlorine, even in relatively low concentrations, can cause severe health consequences. Symptoms range from skin irritation and respiratory distress to possibly fatal pulmonary edema. Deploying chlorine as a weapon is not onyl a violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention but also qualifies as a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Evidence from the Ground: Garri and Jaili
The France 24 investigation focused on incidents near the Garri military base and the Jaili oil refinery, both located north of khartoum and under the control of the rapid Support Forces (RSF) – the SAF’s opposing force – at the time of the alleged attacks.
Journalists meticulously geolocated photographs and videos circulating online,pinpointing the locations to these key sites. This analysis revealed metal containers used for chlorine storage near impact craters, alongside a video depicting a distinctive yellow-green cloud consistent with chlorine gas release. witness testimonies and social media posts from both pro-RSF and pro-SAF sources further corroborated these findings.Human Rights Watch independently verified the geolocation of the videos.
Call for International Investigation & Openness
These developments demand immediate and decisive action. All state parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention should prioritize a clear investigation led by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). This should include utilizing a ”challenge inspection” – a rigorous verification procedure.
Moreover, the United States government should publicly release the intelligence that underpinned its sanctions against General al-Burhan. Transparency is crucial for accountability and building trust in the international response.
A Dangerous Precedent in a Brutal Conflict
The alleged use of chemical weapons adds another layer of horror to a conflict already marred by widespread war crimes committed by both sides. This represents a dangerous precedent, threatening the established norms prohibiting the use of inhumane weapons.
The international community has a duty to respond forcefully and unequivocally to uphold these norms and prevent further escalation. Failure to do so risks emboldening other actors to disregard international law and perpetrate similar atrocities.
