US Sanctions Indian Firm SBL Energy, CEO Alok Choudhari Over Sudan Civil War Links

The United States has imposed sanctions on eight individuals and entities, including SBL Energy Limited and its Chief Executive Officer Alok Choudhari of Raipur, alleging they helped sustain Sudan's civil war by supplying explosives and supporting military procurement and recruitment networks. The action was announced by the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

According to OFAC, SBL Energy, also known as Amin Explosive Private Limited, supplied more than 200 shipments of explosives and related material since 2024 to Sudan-based Target Multiactivities Company (TMAC) , which allegedly maintained the arsenal of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) . US authorities alleged the explosives were later used in bombs deployed by the SAF. TMAC and its general manager, Tariq Hussain Muhammad Madani , a senior official in Sudan's Defense Industries System (DIS) , were also sanctioned.

The sanctions also target Sudanese and Egyptian firms, Ports Engineering Company Ltd , and three executives linked to Panama-based Talent Bridge SA , which Washington alleges recruited former Colombian military personnel to fight alongside the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) . US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the networks supplied weapons, explosives and foreign fighters to both warring sides, prolonging what he described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions are aimed at disrupting networks profiting from the conflict and supporting efforts toward peace. Washington also urged the SAF and RSF to accept an immediate, unconditional three-month humanitarian truce and called on external actors to halt military and financial support. The sanctions, imposed under Executive Order 14098, block US-based assets of the designated persons and generally prohibit transactions by US persons.