Britain imposed asset freezes and travel bans on 15 Sudanese commanders and other officials Monday, citing alleged wartime abuses and announcing £15 million in support for civilians and survivors of sexual violence.
The sanctions cover figures from the Rapid Support Forces, the Sudanese Armed Forces and armed groups allied with the army. They come a year after the Rapid Support Forces captured El Fasher in North Darfur following a prolonged siege. The two main forces have fought since April 2023.
Of the new funding, £5 million is designated for survivors of sexual violence, including health care and psychological support. The remaining £10 million will fund humanitarian work, including water and sanitation near Tawila and essential services in El Obeid.
The UK named Rapid Support Forces Col. Hussein Abu Jalak in connection with alleged abuses during the siege of El Fasher. It said Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, also known as “Al-Qubba,” played a significant role in the operation to surround and attack the city. The allegations are the British government’s.
A UK-funded Centre for Information Resilience investigation examined five hotspots and identified 25 commanders it said may have been involved in sexual violence through their conduct or command roles. The center said its evidence could not establish any individual commander’s responsibility for a specific incident of conflict-related sexual violence.
On Oct. 16, Kate Foster, the UK’s deputy permanent representative at the United Nations, called for a pause in fighting to deliver aid. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband urged both sides to stop attacks on aid convoys and allow food deliveries.
