Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee approves draft sanctions against parties to the conflict in Sudan

June 11, 2026 (PEN) The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved the “U.S. Engagement in Peace in Sudan” bill to impose sanctions on military and Rapid Support Forces officials involved in war crimes and obstructing aid.

The committee unanimously approved, with 34 members voting in favor and 4 against, the bill recommending that the Rapid Support Forces be listed as terrorists after a review by the State and Treasury Departments to determine whether the Rapid Support Forces, and other parties to the war in Sudan, meet the criteria for inclusion on global terrorism lists under US sanctions.

The bill requires the administration to identify those involved in war crimes and obstructing aid, and to impose sanctions on them, including asset freezes and visa restrictions.

It calls for identifying the parties violating the Darfur arms embargo and expanding it to include all of Sudan, and for developing a strategy within 120 days to achieve a ceasefire, protect civilians, and support civilian rule.

The project strengthens the role of the US Special Envoy to Sudan by extending his term to 5 years with funding of $4 million annually.

The project set deadlines for the administration: 90 days to identify those involved, 60 days to impose sanctions, and 120 days for a comprehensive strategy on Sudan.

The committee removed the clause calling for pressure to expand the UN arms embargo, and the clause calling for the delegitimization of the government until a civilian transition.

Senior Democrat Gregory Meeks said the bill imposes sanctions on those involved in war crimes and violations of the Darfur arms embargo, and requires the president to develop a strategy for Sudan.

He stressed that the goal is to protect civilians, secure aid, and promote the participation of women and youth to bring the country back to the path of peace.

Meeks added that external support for the army and the Rapid Support Forces is one of the main drivers of this conflict, and called on Democrats and Republicans to work together to address the issue.

He added that Congress must show that Sudan is a priority and not a secondary issue, and create pressure to push the parties into negotiations.

Committee Chairman Brian Mast praised the efforts of the Trump administration and its advisor on African affairs, Massad Boulos, to resolve the Sudan crisis, and said the project gives the administration additional tools.

He questioned why American universities do not witness protests over the Sudanese tragedy as they do over other issues.

It is noted that the project will be referred to the House of Representatives for a vote, and will not become effective before it is approved by the Senate and the House of Representatives and sent to the White House to obtain the signature of the US President, according to the newspaper "Al-Sharq Al-Awsat".