Arabic version: بريطانيا تفرض عقوبات على قادة سودانيين بسبب فظائع الفاشر
According to Allafrica, the United Kingdom has sanctioned 15 senior commanders from Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces and Sudanese Armed Forces over suspected atrocities, including conflict-related sexual violence, during the fall of El Fasher in western Sudan.
UK Development Minister Kirsty McNeill told journalists in Geneva on Nov. 4 that the measures seek accountability. She said the action was intended to highlight the violence seen during the siege of El Fasher and help survivors rebuild their lives. The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes for those designated.
Those sanctioned include Hussein Abu Jalak, an RSF colonel linked to atrocities during the siege, and Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, known as Al-Qubba, who was identified as being present and playing a prominent role in besieging and attacking the city.
McNeill said Sudan was near the top of the UK’s priorities and stressed the need for a humanitarian response in what she described as the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis. She said relief efforts require funding, access, respect for international humanitarian law and a commitment to protecting rights and saving lives.
The UK said its action followed UK-backed investigations that found campaigns of deliberate starvation and sexual violence by all sides in the conflict. It is allocating 15 million British pounds, or 20.2 million dollars, to support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and the humanitarian response. Fighting between the SAF and RSF began on April 15, 2023, according to the United Nations.
