Officials said the sanctions target government-owned companies in the
defense and energy sector. They said the administration has become
increasingly frustrated with Sudanese air force and other attacks in
Darfour.
All but one of the Sudanese companies were identified as being directly
controlled by Khartoum. Officials said the exception, Azza Air Transport,
was alleged to have shipped weapons to Darfour.
"Azza Air Transport Company has also been sanctioned under Executive
Order 13400 for transferring small arms, ammunition and artillery to
Sudanese government forces and Janjaweed militia in Darfour," the Treasury
Department said on Tuesday.
The Treasury also cited Giad Industrial City on the new U.S. sanctions
list. Giad was said to have supplied armored vehicles to Khartoum for
military operations in Darfour.
Sanctions were also imposed on Sudanese military intelligence chief Awad
Ibn Auf. Rebel leader Khalil Ibrahim, who refused to sign a peace accord on
Darfour, was also placed on the U.S. sanctions list.
"Even in the face of sanctions, these individuals have continued to play
direct roles in the terrible atrocities of Darfour," Treasury Secretary
Henry Paulson said. "We are working to call attention to their horrific acts
and further isolate them from the international community."
Officials said the administration wants the United Nations Security
Council to impose sanctions that would block Chinese and other arms
shipments to Khartoum. The proposed sanctions would also ban Sudan's
military from offensive operations in Darfour.
"It will prohibit the Sudanese government from conducting any offensive
military flights over Darfour," Bush said. "It will strengthen our ability
to monitor and report any violations."
