- UK sanctions senior Rapid Support Forces commanders suspected
of atrocities including mass killings, sexual violence, and
deliberate attacks on civilians in El Fasher, Sudan.
- The UK calls for an immediate end to atrocities, the
protection of civilians, and the removal of barriers to
humanitarian access by all parties to the conflict.
- The UK is stepping up its response to the crisis in Sudan
with an additional £21 million to provide food, shelter, health
services, and protection for women and children in some of the
hardest-to-reach areas.
The UK has today sanctioned senior commanders of the Rapid
Support Forces (RSF) suspected of heinous violence in El Fasher,
Sudan, including mass killings, systematic sexual violence and
deliberate attacks on civilians.
Those targeted include Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF Deputy
Leader and brother of RSF leader General Hemedti, as well as
three other commanders that are suspected of involvement in these
crimes – who all now face asset freezes and travel bans.
The RSF's actions in El Fasher are not random: they are part of a
deliberate strategy to terrorise populations and seize control
through fear and violence. The impact of their actions is visible
from space. Satellite images of El Fasher show blood-stained
sand, clusters of bodies, and evidence of mass graves where
victims have been burned and buried. There needs to be
accountability for these actions, and urgent steps taken to avoid
this happening again.
UK sanctioning of senior RSF commanders suspected of mass
killings and sexual violence in El Fasher sends a clear message
that those who commit atrocities will be held to account. This
reflects the UK's determination to prevent further atrocities.
The UK is also committing a further £21 million package of urgent
support to communities on the brink, providing food, clean water,
health care, and protection for women and children in areas
hardest hit by violence.
This lifeline will empower aid organisations to reach 150,000
people with essentials like food, medical care, and emergency
shelter, as well as to keep hospitals running and reconnect
families torn apart by conflict. UK aid commitments to Sudan this
year rises to £146 million, underscoring the unwavering
commitment to stand with the Sudanese people and meet
humanitarian needs.
Foreign Secretary said:
“The atrocities taking place in Sudan are so horrific they
scar the conscience of the world. The overwhelming evidence of
heinous crimes - mass executions, starvation, and the systematic
and calculated use of rape as a weapon of war - cannot and will
not go unpunished.
“Today's sanctions against RSF commanders strike directly at
those with blood on their hands, while our strengthened aid
package will deliver lifesaving support to those
suffering.
“The UK will not look away, and we will always stand with the
people of Sudan.”
The UK is pressing all parties to end the war and protect
civilians and has repeatedly condemned the violence perpetrated
by the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Earlier this month,
the UN Human Rights Council adopted a UK-led resolution
condemning the atrocities and securing international consensus to
mandate an urgent inquiry into atrocities in El Fasher.
Our commitment goes beyond diplomacy: the UK provides
technical support to international justice and accountability
mechanisms, and this year we also invested £1.5 million in the
Sudan Witness Project to monitor, verify and document human
rights violations including attacks on civilians.
We are exploring the possibility of further sanctions as part of
our efforts to end impunity and demonstrate that those who commit
atrocities are held to account.
The UK is accelerating its response to Sudan's deepening crisis –
acting decisively to save lives. The humanitarian situation in
Sudan is the worst in the world, with 30 million people in
desperate need of assistance. A further 12 million people have
been driven from their homes. Famine and preventable diseases are
rampant.
Nearly 5 million Sudanese refugees have fled the country to the
region. Some are at risk of falling prey to traffickers and
smuggling gangs. The UK is providing support to refugees in the
region to help discourage perilous onward journeys.
We call on all parties to the conflict to allow unhindered
passage for humanitarian workers, supplies, and trapped
civilians.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The Sanctioned Individuals:
-
Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo – Deputy Leader
of the RSF, and brother of RSF leader, General Hemedti. There
are reasonable grounds to suspect he is or has been implicated
in mass killings of civilians, ethnically targeted executions,
systematic sexual violence including gang rape, abductions for
ransom, arbitrary detentions, and attacks on health facilities
and humanitarian workers.
-
Gedo Hamdan Ahmed – RSF Commander for the
North Darfur. There are reasonable grounds to suspect he is or
has been involved in mass killings, sexual violence,
abductions, and attacks on medical and humanitarian personnel.
-
Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris – Brigadier General of
the RSF. There are reasonable grounds to suspect he is or has
been responsible for violence against individuals based on
ethnicity and religion, and the deliberate targeting of
civilians.
-
Tijani Ibrahim Moussa Mohamed – RSF Field
Commander. There are reasonable grounds to suspect he is or has
been responsible for deliberate targeting of civilians in El
Fasher.
