Sudan Sanctions: London freezes assets of 15 commanders

Britain has imposed asset freezes and travel bans on 15 Sudanese military and security officials on Monday. The sanctions target commanders from both the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces accused of war crimes during the recent fall of el-Fasher.

The UK Foreign Office stated that the measures aim to ensure the world learns about the horrors committed in the city. The decision follows the release of UK-funded reporting by the Centre for Information Resilience. That report documented a campaign of systematic starvation and conflict-related sexual violence against civilians in Sudan.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband declared that perpetrators of crimes against humanity must be held accountable. He also called for an end to external support for the warring parties. Miliband described the ongoing conflict as a humanitarian catastrophe, noting that rape and starvation remain weaponized against the population a year after the el-Fasher atrocities.

Two specific commanders were named in the initial announcement. Hussein Abu Jalak, an RSF colonel, was linked to atrocities during the siege. Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, known as al-Qubba, was identified as a prominent figure in the forces that besieged and attacked the city.

London announced a financial commitment to assist survivors. The government allocated five million pounds, or $6.6 million, to support survivors of sexual violence. An additional ten million pounds, or $13.3 million, was designated for general humanitarian aid.

The fall of el-Fasher occurred one year ago, marking a focal point of the war. Civilians in the city endured a prolonged siege, mass killings, widespread sexual violence, and attacks on medical facilities during that period.

Amnesty International reports that tens of thousands of civilians have died since the war began in April 2023. The organization estimates that 14 million people have been displaced from their homes.