EU Commission urged to act over Sudan chemical weapons allegations

The European Commission should consider political and financial measures in response to evidence concerning alleged chemical weapons use in Sudan, German lawyer and political analyst Claudia Wädlich has argued, as new material places fresh scrutiny on the Sudanese Armed Forces.

The European Commission is facing calls to take a more direct role over allegations that Sudanese government forces developed and used chlorine weapons during the country’s civil war, following the publication of new documentary evidence concerning the programme.

Speaking during a conference discussion on Sudan, German lawyer and political analyst Claudia Wädlich argued that responsibility for an effective European response rested more with the Commission than with the European Parliament.

“The Commission is in charge … to take steps,” Wädlich said, adding that the EU executive should consider measures “in financial ways [and] in other ways”.

Her comments come after newly published internal documents and communications were reported to indicate that the Sudanese Armed Forces, or SAF, developed chlorine-filled munitions, tested them in remote areas and accumulated a stockpile during the war against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

Sudan has rejected the allegations. Its government says its chlorine stocks are intended for civilian purposes, particularly water purification, and has said it is prepared to allow their use to be independently verified.

The latest material nevertheless adds to an established dispute over chemical weapons use in Sudan.

On 24 April 2025, the United States formally determined that the Government of Sudan had used chemical weapons in violation of international law. The finding was subsequently published in a US Federal Register notice and resulted in restrictions on exports and access to US government credit.

Washington imposed a second round of measures in July 2026 after determining that Sudan had not met conditions laid down under US chemical and biological weapons legislation. Those measures included US opposition to multilateral development bank assistance to Sudan.

Separate open-source investigations have also examined two incidents in September 2024 near the al-Jaili oil refinery and Garri military base north of Khartoum. Investigators authenticated images showing chlorine containers dropped from the air and traced material used in the attacks to supplies imported for civilian water treatment. The investigation into the September 2024 incidents was later cited by Human Rights Watch in calling attention to the allegations.

The issue presents the EU with a different problem from its existing policy towards Sudan.

Brussels has already expanded sanctions designed to weaken the economic networks sustaining the war. In July, the Council prohibited the purchase, import or transfer of Sudanese gold and restricted exports of mercury and cyanide used in gold production. The measures targeting Sudan’s war economy followed earlier individual sanctions and an EU arms embargo.

The European Parliament has also addressed the deteriorating humanitarian situation. In July, MEPs adopted a resolution condemning war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law and calling for greater accountability. The resolution was adopted by 476 votes to 28.

There has, however, been no equivalent EU determination specifically attributing chemical weapons use to Sudan comparable with the finding made by Washington.

Wädlich argued during the discussion that Europe should treat the issue as more than another element of Sudan’s civil war.

“It is a problem for the whole world if chemical weapons like that spread around,” she said.

The legal issue is particularly sensitive because Sudan is a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Chlorine has extensive legitimate civilian uses and is not prohibited as a chemical in itself. Its deliberate use for its toxic properties as a weapon, however, is prohibited.

That dual-use character is also central to the allegations. Evidence examined by investigators suggests some chlorine imported to produce safe drinking water may instead have entered military supply chains.

Wädlich said this created consequences beyond the immediate effects of an alleged attack. “If there is no chlorine gas to treat it, then the whole system of health can break down,” she told the conference, referring to Sudan’s already damaged water and medical infrastructure.

The question for Brussels is therefore becoming whether its existing sanctions against Sudan’s war economy are sufficient, or whether the chemical weapons allegations require a separate response involving non-proliferation policy, export controls and support for an independent international investigation.

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