UK Freezes Assets of 15 Sudanese Officials Over El Fasher Crimes

The United Kingdom imposed travel bans and asset freezes on 15 individuals from the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces on Monday. The officials, a mix of military commanders, militia leaders, and security figures, face sanctions for actions taken during the fall of el-Fasher. London cited war crimes, including sexual violence, torture, and attacks on civilians, as the basis for the measures.

The decision follows the release of reporting funded by the British government from the Centre for Information Resilience. That investigation documented a campaign of systematic starvation and conflict-related sexual violence against civilians in Sudan. The UK Foreign Office stated the goal is to ensure the events in el-Fasher are widely known. The city has been a focal point of the conflict for one year, marked by a prolonged siege and reports of mass killings and hospital strikes.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said perpetrators of crimes against humanity must be held accountable. He added that external support for the warring parties must end. Miliband described the war as a humanitarian catastrophe. He noted that UK-funded investigations show rape and starvation remain weaponized against the population one year after the atrocities in el-Fasher.

The list of sanctioned individuals includes Hussein Abu Jalak, an RSF colonel linked to atrocities during the siege. It also includes Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, known as al-Qubba, who played a prominent role in besieging and attacking the city. The sanctions apply to officials from both sides of the conflict. This approach marks a shift in how London addresses accountability in the Sudanese civil war.

Alongside the sanctions, the UK allocated five million pounds, or $6.6 million, to support survivors of sexual violence. An additional ten million pounds, or $13.3 million, was designated for humanitarian aid. These funds aim to address the immediate needs of those affected by the violence in el-Fasher and other conflict zones.

The civil war, which began in April 2023, has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians. Amnesty International reports that 14 million people have been displaced since the conflict started. The new sanctions package does not resolve the ongoing fighting, but it targets specific leaders responsible for documented abuses.

The measures take effect immediately. The 15 individuals listed in the Foreign Office statement will see their assets frozen within the UK. They are also barred from entering British territory. The government said the list may be updated as further investigations are completed.