The United States has called for non-compliant states to be excluded from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Executive Council, asserting that Sudan remains in non-compliance, according to Washington’s assessment. This comes amidst European and Australian demands for Sudanese authorities to disclose the findings of their investigation into allegations of the army’s use of chemical weapons.
US Ambassador to the OPCW, Nicole Champagne, stated during the 113th session of the Executive Council in The Hague that Sudan remains in non-compliance with the Convention, based on the US assessment of its use of chemical weapons in 2024.
Germany has urged Sudanese authorities to complete a comprehensive national investigation and publish its findings, citing recent media reports suggesting the possibility of an undeclared chemical weapons program and that the use of such weapons in 2024 may not have been an isolated incident.
In her opening remarks, the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Sabrina Dalla Fior, affirmed that the Technical Secretariat continues to monitor reports concerning the use of chemical weapons in Sudan and other conflict zones, urging member states to provide relevant information.
Australia expressed concern regarding reports of the Sudanese Armed Forces’ stockpiling and use of chemical weapons, noting the Sudanese national investigation and the receipt of an interim report on it, and calling on the authorities to provide transparent information regarding the allegations.
Belgium, for its part, deemed the Sudanese clarifications insufficient regarding reports of the Sudanese army’s use of chlorine-containing munitions, and requested additional information commensurate with the seriousness of the allegations contained in open-source materials.
Finland reiterated its demand that the Sudanese authorities address the allegations promptly, objectively, and transparently, welcoming the continued monitoring of the OPCW Technical Secretariat by the organization.
These positions were expressed during the 113th session of the OPCW Executive Council, held in The Hague from October 6 to 9.
