UK Government Imposes Sanctions on Sudan Paramilitary Leaders Over Atrocities
The United Kingdom has announced a significant new round of sanctions targeting six individuals suspected of committing grave atrocities in Sudan's ongoing civil war or fuelling the conflict through the supply of mercenaries and military equipment. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper declared that the government aims to "dismantle the war machine" responsible for the brutal violence.
Targeting Commanders and Profiteers
The sanctions specifically crack down on senior commanders within the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). These military figures are suspected of orchestrating massacres against civilian populations and employing rape as a weapon of war. The measures also extend to individuals believed to be involved in recruiting foreign fighters to participate in the conflict or facilitating the purchase of military equipment.
Foreign Secretary Cooper emphasised the necessity of accountability, stating there must be a "price to pay" for commanders who have permitted these atrocities and the "callous profiteers" who enable the violence. The sanctions are part of a broader UK effort to call for an immediate ceasefire and ensure unhindered access for humanitarian aid agencies operating within Sudan.
Foreign Secretary's Visit to the Region
These new measures follow Ms. Cooper's recent visit to the Sudanese border in Chad, where she met with refugees who have fled the violence. Among them were women and girls who have survived sexual assault and rape. "At the Sudan-Chad border this week, I met women and children who have suffered unimaginable violence, and barely escaped with their lives," Cooper stated on Thursday.
She added, "For their sake, and the millions of other civilians caught in the middle of this conflict, we urgently need a ceasefire, and safe access for humanitarian relief agencies to reach all those in need." The Foreign Secretary asserted that the sanctions send a clear message that every individual responsible for commanding these armies and committing atrocities will eventually be held to account.
Individuals Sanctioned
The newly designated individuals include:
- Hussein Barsham, an RSF field commander accused by the UK government of responsibility for mass atrocities, including ethnic violence, forced displacement, and attacks on civilians, particularly in the Darfur region.
- Abu Aqla Mohamed Kaikal, a SAF military commander and leader of the Sudan Shield Forces, alleged to be responsible for atrocities committed in early 2025 in Gezira state.
- Mustafa Ibrahim Abdel Nabi Mohamed, director of the UK-sanctioned al-Khaleej Bank, a majority shareholder of Shield Protective Solutions Co Ltd (Sudan), and a financial adviser to the RSF leader. He is suspected of aiding the illicit financing of the RSF's military campaign.
- Claudia Viviana Oliveros Forero, Mateo Andres Duque Botero, and Alvaro Andres Quijano Becerra, all believed to be involved in recruiting former Colombian military personnel to train and fight for the RSF.
This latest action builds upon previous sanctions imposed on 12 December against four RSF commanders also suspected of responsibility for atrocities. The UK government continues to apply diplomatic and economic pressure in an effort to curb the violence and support a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Sudan.
