London sanctions: 15 Sudanese commanders hit over El Fasher abuses
The UK government froze assets and issued travel bans against officials from both warring factions, citing a year of investigations into sexual violence and starvation.
By Daniel Bernard ·
The United Kingdom imposed sanctions on 15 Sudanese military and security figures on Monday.
The measures target commanders from the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces. The UK Foreign Office accused these individuals of committing war crimes during the fall of el-Fasher. The specific allegations include sexual violence, torture, and attacks on civilians. The sanctions package includes travel bans and asset freezes.
The announcement followed the release of a report funded by the UK. The Centre for Information Resilience conducted the investigation. The report documented a campaign of systematic starvation and conflict-related sexual violence. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that perpetrators of crimes against humanity must be held accountable. He also called for external support for the warring parties to end.
Miliband noted that the war has created a humanitarian catastrophe. He observed that rape and starvation remain weaponized against the Sudanese population. The sanctions mark one year since the fall of el-Fasher. The city had been the focus of the war for a year, during which civilians faced a prolonged siege. Reports from that period detailed mass killings, widespread sexual violence, and attacks on hospitals.
The Foreign Office named two specific individuals in its statement. Hussein Abu Jalak is an RSF colonel linked to atrocities during the siege. Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, also known as al-Qubba, was identified as playing a prominent role in besieging and attacking the city. The goal of the measures is to ensure the world learns of the events in El Fasher.
The UK government also announced financial commitments. Five million pounds, equivalent to 6.6 million dollars, will support survivors of sexual violence. An additional 10 million pounds, or 13.3 million dollars, is designated for humanitarian aid. Amnesty International reported that tens of thousands of civilians have died since the conflict began in April 2023. The organization estimates that 14 million people have been displaced.
Source: Al Jazeera
