A new day has dawned in Sudan, thanks to an unrelenting citizen protest movement whose objective is the complete transformation of the state. Now that a major benchmark in that effort has been achieved – the formation of a civilian administration – The Sentry and the Enough Project believe that the United States could utilize an expanded policy toolbox to support further positive change in Sudan.
U.S. policy should aim to strengthen the hand of reformers in the civilian government while limiting the influence of the spoilers of reform and peace, principally those associated with the military and security services. To achieve these goals, economic and diplomatic pressures and incentives from the United States and the broader international community should be aimed at dismantling the violent kleptocratic elements that are still in place within Sudan’s kleptocratic system and that continue to threaten the success of Sudan’s transition.
To that end, the U.S. government should undertake a more comprehensive and nuanced strategy than the approach it has pursued over the past 30 years, utilizing a combination of policy-based incentives and modernized financial pressures to support carefully benchmarked reforms.
MODERNIZED FINANCIAL PRESSURES TARGETING SPOILERS, THEIR COMPANIES, AND THEIR MONEY
- The United States should apply targeted sanctions against the networks of former and current corrupt officials — along with their associated companies and international and domestic partners — who are acting as spoilers for reform and peace efforts, particularly those linked to the military and Rapid Support Forces.
- The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) should issue a public anti-money laundering advisory warning financial institutions of the risks associated with Politically Exposed Persons involved in significant acts of corruption in Sudan and the typologies of their illicit financial activity, including through the gold trade and banking sector.
- The U.S. Department of the Treasury should require U.S. companies investing in Sudan to report publicly on due diligence conducted with respect to key issues, such as anti-corruption, human rights, and direct business with the military.