The United States imposed sanctions last Monday, March 21, on Sudan’s Central Reserve Police, CRP, force accusing them of human rights abuse over protest crackdown.

The US accused a police force of beating, arresting and shooting live ammunition at protesters, killing at least two. An accusation followed by that of the Treasury Department blaming Sudan’s Central Reserve Police, CRP, of being “at the forefront” of the crackdown on protests against military rule in the northeast African nation.

“Since the October 25 military takeover, Sudan’s Central Reserve Police has used excessive force and violence intended to silence civilian activists and protesters,” Treasury undersecretary Brian Nelson said in a statement to the media

“We condemn Sudan’s security services for killing, harassing, and intimidating Sudanese citizens,” Nelson said. “These actions are exacerbating the crisis in Sudan.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a separate statement called for an immediate end to violence against peaceful protesters. “We remain poised to use all tools at our disposal to support the Sudanese people in their pursuit of a democratic, human rights-respecting, and prosperous Sudan,” Blinken said.

Under the sanctions, any CRP assets in the United States will be frozen. Western countries and international financing institutions suspended billions of dollars in foreign aid after the coup and military commanders are yet to appoint a prime minister to tackle the economic crisis.

Also , regular  protests calling for civilian rule have taken place since a military coup led by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on October 25, with heavy-handed crackdowns leaving 87 dead, according to medics.