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The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on 15 Sudanese military commanders from both the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), targeting individuals accused of war crimes during the fall of el-Fasher one year ago. The measures include travel bans and asset freezes, aimed at ensuring accountability for what officials describe as a "campaign of rape" and systematic starvation.
The sanctions follow UK-funded investigations by the Centre for Information Resilience, which documented widespread sexual violence and torture during the siege. Up to 10,000 civilians are believed to have been killed in the fastest and largest massacre of civilians this century, with another 40,000 remaining unaccounted for . The RSF’s takeover ended an 18-month siege that forced survivors to consume animal feed .
Specific individuals named in the sanctions include Hussein Abu Jalak, an RSF colonel linked to atrocities, and Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, known as "al-Qubba," who played a prominent role in the city's attack . UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that those who perpetrated crimes against humanity must be held accountable and called for external backers to end support for warring parties .
In addition to sanctions, the UK has allocated £5 million ($6.6m) to support survivors of sexual violence and £10 million ($13.3m) in humanitarian aid . The conflict, which began in April 2023, has displaced 14 million people and created what Miliband termed a "humanitarian catastrophe" . While the UAE denies backing the RSF, reports indicate it provided support during the siege .