US Enforces International Trade Sanctions on Sudan

In an effort to put an end to the four-year old international trade conflict in Darfur, the United States recently imposed economic sanctions on Sudan. Such action of the United States is targeting 31 establishments and three key personnel who are to be banned from doing businesses with US banks and financial institutions.

The international trade embargo imposed by the US on Sudan received various reactions from the worldwide community. Critics of the imposed sanction such as China and Russia, said that enforcing the embargo is not only unjust but also badly timed. For the leader of the Arab League, the situation in Darfur demanded pooling of efforts from international communities and imposing sanctions was inappropriate.

On the other hand, some countries approved of the action and said they are willing to impose tougher international trade sanctions in order to force the Sudanese government to allow the arrival of more United Nations peacekeeping forces. Currently, there are about 3,000 peace keepers who are augmenting the 7,000 members of the African Union.

Moreover, the United Nations peacekeeping plan is already in its final stages. Once implemented, a peacekeeping force, which is three times the size of the current personnel, will be deployed to Darfur. International trade hostilities between the Sudanese government and rebel forces began in the year 2003. Already, more than 200,000 Sudanese lives have been lost and 2.5 million more have been rendered homeless since the situation escalated into a full blown conflict.