UK Sanctions: 15 Sudanese Leaders Hit Over El Fasher Atrocities

The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on 15 Sudanese military commanders, militia leaders, and security officials on Monday. The measures target individuals from both the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces who are accused of committing war crimes during the fall of El Fasher.

The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes. The UK Foreign Office stated that the goal is to ensure the world knows about the horrors that took place in the city. This decision follows the release of reporting funded by the UK through the Centre for Information Resilience. That investigation revealed a campaign of systematic starvation and conflict-related sexual violence against civilians.

UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said that those who perpetrated crimes against humanity must be held accountable. He also called for an end to support from all external backers of the warring parties. Miliband described the war as a humanitarian catastrophe. He noted that a year after the atrocities in El Fasher, investigations show that rape and starvation are still being weaponized against the population.

The announcement marks one year since El Fasher became a focal point of the conflict. Civilians in the city faced a prolonged siege, mass killings, widespread sexual violence, and attacks on hospitals. The UK has now named two specific figures among the sanctioned. Hussein Abu Jalak is an RSF colonel linked to atrocities during the siege. Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, known as al-Qubba, was identified as playing a prominent role in besieging and attacking the city.

Alongside the sanctions, the government announced new funding. The UK has allocated five million pounds, or 6.6 million dollars, to support survivors of sexual violence. An additional ten million pounds, or 13.3 million dollars, will go toward humanitarian aid. These financial measures aim to address the immediate needs of those affected by the ongoing crisis.

The conflict has created a massive displacement crisis. According to Amnesty International, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed since the war began in April 2023. The organization reports that 14 million people have been displaced from their homes. These figures underscore the scale of the humanitarian impact as the international community moves to hold specific leaders accountable.

The sanctions represent a direct response to the findings of the UK-funded investigation. By targeting leaders from both sides of the conflict, the UK aims to apply pressure on the warring factions. The measures are part of a wider effort to document and address the specific crimes committed during the siege of El Fasher.