Sudanese health ministry says no chemical weapons used in Khartoum
Port Sudan, Sudan (PANA) -The Sudanese Ministry of health has dismissed widespread rumours about the possible use and residues of chemical warfare in Khartoum.
The rumours had been triggered by those opposed to the leader of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), General Abdul Fatah Al Burhan.
The rumours increased recently after people started returning to Khartoum from rural areas, other cities and mostly Egypt, with social media buzzing with claims that one of the two parties in the war – SAF and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RAF) – used chemical weapons in Khartoum.
Media reports said the government blamed a rise in respiratory illness on fires and carbon emissions after months of widespread allegations.
The government also attributed most citizens’ health complaints, including diarrhoea, fever, and an increase in deaths, to the collapse of health services during the war and the spread of diseases like cholera, malaria, and dengue fever.
The reports said the investigation was launched after public concern grew over numerous diseases spreading amid a healthcare system devastated by conflict. The fears were bolstered by U.S. accusations in 2024 that the Sudanese army had used chemical weapons against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which led to American sanctions.
On Monday the Ministry of Health said that the results of a national investigation into the allegations showed that there is no scientific evidence to support the claim that the capital city was exposed to radioactive or chemical contamination.
The Ministry of Health said in a statement that official measurements and reports showed that the general situation did not pose a threat to public health.
The statement added that following media campaigns that spoke of "Khartoum not fit for living", the competent national authorities began scientific verification and monitoring operations in early April 2025, following the capture of the capital.
“The aim was to verify the allegations related to radioactive, chemical, and environmental contamination and to monitor the health situation in the capital through national surveillance systems.”
According to the statement, devices approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency were used to conduct radiation measurements at specific locations, including the Khartoum Oncology Hospital, the Stack Laboratory, and the Veterinary Research Laboratory. They also used Chempro field detection devices approved by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
The statement said that the verification team also followed the Federal Ministry of Health's national pathological investigation system to detect any unusual cases, while reviewing forensic and criminal reports.
The statement confirmed several findings, most notably the absence of any elevated radiation levels or presence of radioactive sources.
“No unusual remnants or munitions associated with chemicals were found, and field detection devices did not reveal any indications of toxic gases or chemicals.”
The statement confirmed that the pathological investigation systems did not record any reports of mass deaths or similar symptoms indicating chemical poisoning. Likewise, the forensic reports did not document any strange or unclear causes of death associated with chemicals.
-0- PANA MO/MA 2Sept2025
