US Imposes Global Trade Sanctions on Sudan

The Darfur situation has severely strained global trade relations between the United States and Sudan. This is in the light of the recent economic sanctions the U.S. imposed on the African country. The move is aimed at forcing Sudan's leaders to end hostilities in Darfur once and for all. The implementation of the global trade sanction was condemned by government officials of Sudan, claiming it was "unjust" and "badly timed." With the sanction, 31 establishments and three key personnel will be barred from establishing any business with U.S. banks or financial institutions.

The imposing of the sanction by the United States on Sudan received both criticism and approval. China, one of Sudan's top global trade partners, claimed that Sudan needs all the economic help it can get since this is a means by which the crisis in Darfur can be addressed. Likewise, South Africa's representative to the United Nations questioned the purpose and appropriateness of the embargo. South Africa provided 7,000 soldiers to the African Union force assigned in Darfur. In addition, the leader of the Arab League said that the Darfur conflict demands a concerted effort of all world governments and economic sanctions has no place in the situation.

On the other hand, The European Union is ready to implement stricter measures to get Sudan's approval of the deployment of a large United Nations peacekeeping contingent into war-torn Darfur, where 3,000 soldiers are already in the area augmenting the African Union personnel. Moreover, the United States is reportedly proposing an extensive UN global trade sanction. However, the move is expected to encounter rough sailing in the Security Council because of China's disapproval to such move.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, for his part, has requested for more patience as he is already deep in negotiation with the Sudanese leaders to allow the entry of more peacekeepers. A plan, which will launch a hybrid force more than three times the size of the current personnel, is already in its final stages. The peacekeeping force is authorized to attack whenever the situation becomes out of hand. He made no comment on the impact of the US global trade embargo on the current negotiations.

Over 200,000 Sudanese lives have been lost and 2.5 million left homeless since hostilities between Sudanese government and rebel forces began in 2003. A well-renowned US economist believed that global trade sanctions will not help the situation in Darfur. Currently, China and Russia, known allies of Sudan, is ready to negotiate for a total deployment of UN peacekeeping forces in the country. Aside from China, Russia is also a leading global trade partner of Sudan.