U.S. Congress moves to tighten sanctions against sources of funding for parties to conflict in Sudan

The corridors of the US Congress witnessed intensive legislative moves to take the handling of the Sudanese file to a new stage, following the progress of two bills in the Senate and House of Representatives aimed at imposing severe sanctions on the parties to the war and their regional and international supporters.

News reports from Washington have said that the bills focus on drying up sources of armament and funding, strengthening the protection of civilians, and reinvigorating the U.S. role to end the conflict through a long-term binding legislative framework that replaces sporadic executive decisions.

Parliamentary sources confirmed that the Senate is considering the "Prevention of External Aggression and Escalation of Conflict in Sudan 2026" bill, known as the "Sudan Peace Act" for short, while the House of Representatives is considering the "US Engagement in Sudan Peace Act."

Media coverage indicated that both bills are currently under the legislative process and have not yet become effective laws, as they require the approval of both houses and the unification of the final version before it is referred to the US president for signature.

Details of Senate legislation and extension of the mandate of the Special Envoy

Reports from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said that the committee's chairman, Republican Jim Risch, and Democratic Senator Chris introduced the "Sudan Peace" bill with broad bipartisan support, as it was approved by the competent committee last June in preparation for its presentation to the House plenary session. The bill gives the U.S. administration expanded powers to impose sanctions on commanders of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as well as entities and individuals who provide funding or weapons to both sides of the conflict.

The sources added that the Senate bill obliges the US administration to submit periodic and updated reports to Congress on foreign interventions and financing and armament networks linked to the war in Sudan, while updating warnings related to investment and trade dealings.

The draft law provides for the extension of the mandate of the U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan from two to five years, while strengthening parliamentary oversight, and stipulating that no future assistance that contributes to the refinancing of military or security institutions involved in undermining the democratic civilian transition.

The Vision of the House of Representatives, the Protection of Civilians and the Force on Arms Bans

The "U.S. Engagement in Sudan Peace" bill, which was approved by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, reportedly outlines a comprehensive U.S. policy to support a ceasefire, protect civilians, and resume the political process to reach civilian rule.

The project reportedly forces the administration to present an integrated strategy to ensure humanitarian access and use US influence to extend the arms embargo to all Sudanese territory, as well as freeze assets, prohibit financial transactions, deny visas to those involved in war crimes, and obstruct relief.

The House bill authorizes U.S. support for a U.N. or African Union mission, or a multinational force if deployed to protect civilians, providing a legal basis for the U.S. government to participate or support when international authorization is available. The bill also goes to prohibit the sale of key U.S. defense equipment to any country found to be involved in supplying arms to warring parties, while granting limited exceptions to the U.S. president that ensure vital national security interests are achieved.

Accountability and evidence collection efforts for crimes committed

The legislative sources revealed that the House of Representatives draft puts the issue of justice at the top of its priorities, as it calls for supporting the processes of documenting violations and collecting and preserving evidence, to prosecute those responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and conflict-related sexual violence.

The report indicated that the scope of accountability includes violations committed since the outbreak of the war on 15 April 2023, as well as crimes related to the coup of 25 October 2021 and the events that followed.

The draft calls for the U.S. administration to support an inclusive political process that includes not only negotiations between military forces, but also civilian forces, women, youth, and marginalized communities, to develop a clear constitutional path that guarantees a return to civilian rule.

The lawmakers stressed that the action within Congress reflects a growing conviction that individual sanctions are no longer enough, and that the stage requires a political framework and firm measures to address the crisis and end human suffering.