UK Freezes Accounts of 15 Sudan Officers Over City Siege
London announced travel bans and asset freezes against commanders from both sides of the war one year after el-Fasher fell.
By Renata Mehta ·
Britain sanctioned 15 Sudanese military and militia figures on Monday over their alleged roles in crimes committed during the siege and capture of el-Fasher.
The measures cover commanders from both the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces accused of sexual violence, torture and attacks on civilians. The UK Foreign Office said the package includes travel restrictions and asset freezes. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said those responsible for crimes against humanity "must be held accountable and support from all external backers to the warring parties must end".
The action follows the release of reporting funded by the UK and produced by the Centre for Information Resilience. That work documented what the Foreign Office described as systematic starvation and conflict-related sexual violence against civilians in Sudan. The sanctions arrive one year after el-Fasher fell. During the siege of the city, civilians faced mass killings, sexual violence and attacks on hospitals. Amnesty International counts tens of thousands of civilians killed and 14 million people displaced since fighting began in April 2023.
Named in the announcement were Hussein Abu Jalak, an RSF colonel linked to abuses during the el-Fasher siege, and Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, also called "al-Qubba", whom the Foreign Office identified as present and playing a prominent role in besieging and attacking the city. Miliband said, "The war in Sudan has created a humanitarian catastrophe." He added, "A year on from the atrocities in El Fasher, UK-funded investigations have shown that rape and starvation are still being weaponised against the people of Sudan."
The Foreign Office said the UK has committed 5 million pounds ($6.6m) to aid survivors of sexual violence in Sudan and 10 million pounds ($13.3m) in humanitarian relief. It said the goal of the sanctions is that "the horrors that took place at El Fasher will be known to the world".
The travel bans and asset freezes take effect with the announcement. No further sanctions rounds have been scheduled.
Source: Al Jazeera
