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EU Imposes Sanctions on Six Individuals for Undermining Sudan’s Stability

Staff Writer5 days ago

2 minutes read

The European Council has adopted restrictive measures against six individuals responsible for actions that undermine the stability and political transition of Sudan, where intense fighting continues between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) along with their affiliated militias.

Sanctions on RSF Leaders

Among those sanctioned on the RSF side is Abdulrahman Juma Barakallah, a General commanding the RSF in West Darfur. Barakallah is held accountable for committing atrocities, instigating ethnically motivated killings, targeting human rights activists, engaging in conflict-related sexual violence, and looting and burning communities. The sanctions also target the RSF’s financial adviser and a prominent tribal leader of the Mahamid clan affiliated with the RSF in West Darfur.

“Good to see EU’s 1st individual sanctions for crimes in #Sudan. But pace of EU response remains slow & too narrow.” Philippe Dam HRW
EU Director. Formerly HRW’s Europe-Central Asia Advocacy Director & UN Human Rights Council Advocate

Sanctions on SAF Leaders

On the SAF side, the sanctions include the Director General of the Defense Industry System (DIS), a company already under EU sanctions, and El Tahir Mohamed El Awad El Amin, the Commander of the Sudanese Air Force, responsible for indiscriminate aerial bombings of densely populated residential areas. Ali Ahmed Karti Mohamed, a former Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs under Omar al-Bashir’s government, is also listed.

Implications of the Sanctions

The sanctioned individuals are subject to an asset freeze and a prohibition on the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly. Additionally, they face travel bans within the European Union. With these latest measures, the EU’s sanctions regime now applies to a total of six individuals and six entities linked to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

Background

On January 22, 2024, the Council first adopted restrictive measures against six entities from both SAF and RSF for their roles in undermining Sudan’s stability and political transition. This was followed by a statement from the EU High Representative on April 12, 2024, marking one year of the conflict. The EU called for an immediate ceasefire and reminded the warring parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians. The EU reiterated its commitment to using its tools to end the conflict, facilitate humanitarian assistance, and combat impunity.

In light of these developments, the international community is urged to hold the Ethiopian government accountable for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, ethnic cleansing, and rape in the Amhara, Afar, and Tigray regions.