Britain has imposed sanctions on 15 military commanders, militia leaders and security officials from both sides of Sudan's conflict, accusing them of waging sexual violence, torture and attacks on civilians. The measures were announced on Monday, with London describing them as its latest effort to hold perpetrators of abuses accountable.

Those targeted include commanders from the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, as well as leaders of armed groups allied to the army.

El Fasher focus and named commanders

The package is linked to the siege and fall of El Fasher, with the UK bringing forward the action one year after the city fell. It includes Hussein Abu Jalak, a Rapid Support Forces colonel linked to atrocities during the siege of El Fasher, and Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, known as Al-Qubba, who was identified as present and playing a prominent role in besieging and attacking the city. The sanctions impose a travel ban and an asset freeze on those designated. The designations rest on suspected atrocities, including conflict-related sexual violence, rather than on a court conviction, a distinction that matters for how the measures should be described.

Support for survivors and humanitarian aid

Alongside the sanctions, survivors are to receive further support, while humanitarian aid is to be strengthened in El Obeid and North Darfur, as conflict and El Nino-induced drought threaten famine. The announcement follows UK-funded reporting by the Centre for Information Resilience, which revealed a campaign of systematic starvation and conflict-related sexual violence against civilians in Sudan from both sides of the conflict.

The package therefore combines punishment with assistance: restricting named commanders while directing help towards the civilians most affected by the violence and by the worsening humanitarian conditions around them.