Britain Hits Sudan Commanders With Sanctions

The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on fifteen Sudanese military and security figures. The measures target leaders from the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces. Officials said the actions follow an investigation into war crimes committed during the fall of el-Fasher.

The sanctions include travel bans and freezes on assets. The UK Foreign Office stated the goal is to ensure the world knows about the events in el-Fasher. The list includes RSF Colonel Hussein Abu Jalak, who is linked to atrocities during the siege. It also names Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, known as al-Qubba, who was identified as playing a prominent role in attacking the city.

The announcement came after the release of reporting funded by the UK. The Centre for Information Resilience revealed a campaign of systematic starvation and conflict-related sexual violence. The report detailed how rape and starvation were used as weapons against civilians.

UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said those who perpetrated crimes against humanity must be held accountable. He stated that external support for the warring parties must end. Miliband noted that the war has created a humanitarian catastrophe. He added that investigations show rape and starvation are still being weaponised against the people of Sudan.

The fall of el-Fasher occurred one year ago and became a focal point of the conflict. Civilians faced a prolonged siege, mass killings, and attacks on hospitals. The city served as a central battleground during that period.

The UK government announced it has allocated five million pounds to support survivors of sexual violence. An additional ten million pounds was designated for humanitarian aid. These funds are part of the response to the ongoing crisis.

Since the war began in April 2023, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed. Amnesty International reports that fourteen million people have been displaced from their homes.