15 Sudanese Leaders Hit With UK Asset Freezes

The United Kingdom froze the assets of 15 Sudanese military and security officials on Monday. The sanctions also include travel bans for leaders from the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces. These individuals are accused of committing war crimes during the fall of El Fasher.

The UK Foreign Office stated the measures aim to ensure the public knows about the events in the city. The announcement followed new reporting funded by the UK. The Centre for Information Resilience documented a campaign of systematic starvation and conflict-related sexual violence against civilians.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said those who perpetrated crimes against humanity must be held accountable. He added that support from external backers to the warring parties must end. Miliband described the conflict as a humanitarian catastrophe.

The sanctions target specific individuals linked to the siege. Hussein Abu Jalak, an RSF colonel, is linked to atrocities during the siege. Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, also known as al-Qubba, was identified as playing a prominent role in besieging and attacking the city. Both were named in the Foreign Office statement.

London allocated five million pounds, or $6.6 million, to support survivors of sexual violence. The government provided another ten million pounds, or $13.3 million, in humanitarian aid. The funding addresses the immediate needs of those affected by the conflict.

The measures mark one year since El Fasher became a focal point of the war. Civilians in the city faced a prolonged siege, mass killings, and attacks on hospitals. The city's fall was a defining moment in the ongoing civil war.

Amnesty International reports that tens of thousands of civilians have been killed since the war began in April 2023. The organization says 14 million people have been displaced. The conflict continues to reshape the country's demographics and infrastructure.