US to Designate Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organisation

US to Designate Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organisation

The United States Department of State has announced plans to designate the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation, a move aimed at targeting armed actors accused of fuelling Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict. The designation will take full effect on March 16, 2026, according to a press statement released on Monday by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Rubio said the group had already been placed on the Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) list and will soon be added to the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) list. “Today, the Department of State is designating the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist and intends to designate the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, effective March 16, 2026,” Rubio stated.

The designation targets both the political and armed wings of the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood, including the al‑Baraa Bin Malik Brigade, which was previously sanctioned under Executive Order 14098 in September 2025 for its involvement in Sudan’s brutal civil war. U.S. officials allege that the group has conducted mass executions, kidnappings, and other acts of violence against civilians while promoting a violent Islamist ideology.

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The U.S. also accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of providing training, funding, and support to the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood’s armed elements. Rubio described the IRGC as “the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism” and warned that the United States will use all available tools to cut off resources and support networks for both Iran and extremist organisations linked to the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood.

Under the designation, Americans are prohibited from providing material support to the group, and U.S. financial institutions are required to freeze assets linked to the organisation. International partners who knowingly support the group may also face U.S. sanctions. The action is taken under Section 219 of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, which empower the U.S. government to sanction individuals and organisations involved in terrorism.

The announcement comes amid Sudan’s protracted civil war, which has displaced millions and triggered widespread humanitarian crises since April 2023. Analysts say the designation could restrict the group’s ability to operate internationally and cut off critical funding channels, while also signaling a tougher U.S. stance on terrorism in Africa and the Middle East.

Regional observers note that the move may complicate peace negotiations, as armed factions might resist dialogue once formally labelled terrorists. However, U.S. officials argue that the designation is critical to limiting the influence of armed Islamist networks, cutting off resources for violence, and protecting civilians in conflict zones.

The decision has received support from some international partners, including the United Arab Emirates, who emphasised that the measure will help deprive the terrorist organisation of resources and strengthen regional security and stability.

As Sudan’s civil war continues, the U.S. designation of the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood represents a significant step in international counter-terrorism efforts, highlighting the linkages between local insurgencies and global extremist networks.

US to Designate Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organisation