UK Freezes Assets of 15 Sudanese Leaders Over El-Fasher Atrocities

The United Kingdom has imposed travel bans and asset freezes on 15 Sudanese military and security officials on October 26. The list includes commanders from the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces. All are accused of war crimes committed during the fall of el-Fasher.

The sanctions target individuals accused of sexual violence, torture, and attacks on civilians. The UK Foreign Office stated the measures aim to ensure the events in el-Fasher are known globally. Specific targets include Hussein Abu Jalak, an RSF colonel linked to atrocities during the siege, and Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, known as “al-Qubba,” who played a prominent role in attacking the city.

The announcement followed the release of UK-funded reporting by the Centre for Information Resilience. That report revealed 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.

El-Fasher became a focal point of the war one year ago. Civilians there faced a prolonged siege, mass killings, widespread sexual violence, and attacks on hospitals. Miliband described the conflict as a humanitarian catastrophe. He noted that UK-funded investigations show rape and starvation are still being weaponized against the population a year later.

The UK has allocated five million pounds, or $6.6 million, to support survivors of sexual violence. The government committed another 10 million pounds, or $13.3 million, in humanitarian aid. These funds are part of the broader response to the crisis in Sudan.

The war began in April 2023. According to Amnesty International, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed since then. The conflict has displaced 14 million people. The new sanctions mark a one-year milestone from the fall of el-Fasher.