The UK has imposed sanctions on senior commanders of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces over alleged atrocities in El Fasher and announced additional humanitarian funding for the country.
The measures target four RSF figures, including Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, the group’s deputy leader, who will face asset freezes and travel bans. According to the UK government, those sanctioned are suspected of involvement in mass killings, systematic sexual violence and deliberate attacks on civilians during fighting in and around El Fasher in North Darfur.
Alongside the sanctions, the UK said it will provide a further £21 million in humanitarian assistance for Sudan. The funding is intended to support food aid, healthcare, shelter and protection services, particularly for women and children, in areas hardest hit by the conflict, according to the government. The additional package brings total UK humanitarian commitments to Sudan this year to £146 million.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the sanctions were intended to hold individuals accountable for alleged crimes. “The atrocities taking place in Sudan are so horrific they scar the conscience of the world,” she said. “Today’s sanctions against RSF commanders strike directly at those with blood on their hands, while our strengthened aid package will deliver lifesaving support to those suffering.”
The UK government said the RSF’s actions in El Fasher appear to form part of a wider strategy to terrorise civilian populations and seize territory. According to officials, satellite imagery shows evidence consistent with mass casualties and grave sites, which they say underlines the scale of the violence and the need for accountability.
The humanitarian funding is expected, according to the government, to help aid organisations reach around 150,000 people with emergency food, medical care and shelter, as well as support hospitals and family reunification efforts. The UK also said it is providing assistance to Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries to address protection risks and discourage dangerous onward migration.
In parallel with the sanctions, the UK reiterated calls for all parties to the conflict, including the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces, to protect civilians and allow unrestricted humanitarian access. The government said it is also supporting international accountability efforts, including backing a UN Human Rights Council resolution mandating an inquiry into alleged atrocities in El Fasher.
Officials added that further sanctions could be considered as part of ongoing efforts to address what the UK describes as widespread impunity, as the humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, with tens of millions in need of assistance, according to government assessments.
