The United States has sanctioned the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces, accusing Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of destabilizing the war-torn Northeast African nation and undermining peace efforts.

The United States on Tuesday night announced sanctions against Sudanese paramilitary leader Mohamed Hamdane Daglo, also known as Hemedti. Washington accuses the head of the Rapid Support Forces, of committing genocide in Sudan.

In a brief statement, the US treasury department accused Gen Burhan of "destabilizing Sudan and undermining the goal of a democratic transition". The announcement follows reports of the killing of civilians in the central city of Wad Madani in recent days,

Washington has slapped sanctions on Sudan's army leader, citing his responsibility for war crimes in a conflict that has bled the oil-rich country dry over the last year — sparking a famine, killing tens of thousands of people and driving millions from their homes — just a week after the U.

The United States has slapped Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, with a sanction, accusing him of choosing war over negotiations. The US said that al-Burhan has thwarted every effort to bring an end to the conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and driven millions from their homes.

The United States has accused the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces of choosing war over negotiation and de-escalation. The sanctions come a week after Washington took a similar action against a Sudanese rebel leader.