UK Sanctions Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces Amid Escalating Violence
The United Kingdom has imposed sanctions against senior leaders of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) following their alleged involvement in severe human rights violations, including mass killings and systematic attacks on civilians. This development is a significant response to documented atrocities in El Fasher, sparking international concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Why It Matters
The sanctions underline the increasing international scrutiny on the RSF amid reports of widespread violence and humanitarian violations in Sudan. As internal conflict escalates, the humanitarian situation in the country worsens, highlighting the critical need for global awareness and intervention.
Key Developments
- The UK government sanctioned four senior RSF commanders, imposing asset freezes and travel bans.
- Deputy commander Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, brother of RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, is one of the sanctioned individuals.
- El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, was captured by RSF troops on October 26 after a prolonged siege against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
- Reports indicate that RSF fighters committed atrocities, including rounding up civilians and executing them based on ethnicity.
- Satellite imagery analysis confirmed that new burials occurred shortly after the RSF’s takeover of El Fasher.
Full Report
Atrocities in El Fasher
After the RSF captured El Fasher, the forces allegedly enacted a campaign of violence, including shelling and aerial strikes, which led to extensive civilian damage. Reports indicate that volunteers trying to deliver food and medical aid faced severe retaliation, with some killed or detained by RSF members. Eyewitness accounts shared a haunting narrative of desperation, as residents described a "slow genocide" unfolding in their city.
A Sky News investigation, in collaboration with Lighthouse Reports and Sudan War Monitor, detailed harrowing instances where civilians were forced to bury fellow captives killed by the RSF. Survivors relayed experiences of stepping over bodies while fleeing and witnessing unspeakable violence perpetrated against their community.
Evidence of Violations
The UK government cited the RSF’s involvement in "serious violations of international humanitarian law" in its sanctions announcement. These violations encompass mass killings, targeted executions based on ethnicity, sexual violence, and violent abductions. Among those sanctioned are Major General Osman Mohamed Hamid Mohamed and Brigadier General Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, signaling a broader crackdown on the RSF’s leadership.
Humanitarian Crisis
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate in Sudan, with more civilians at risk as fighting shifts to other regions, including the southwest Kordofan. The RSF’s control has expanded, affecting vital cities like Babanusa and Heglieg, which play a key role in the country’s transportation and oil sectors.
Context & Previous Events
The RSF has been engaged in a violent struggle against the SAF since April 2023, with significant prior control over Khartoum until the army reclaimed it in March. The conflict’s dynamics have shifted significantly toward Darfur, as the RSF’s aggressive tactics in El Fasher and surrounding areas have drawn international condemnation and prompted calls for urgent humanitarian intervention.
