UK places sanctions on four RSF commanders for heinous' violence against Sudan civilians

"British officials suggested they preferred to use their leverage with the UAE and the RSF commander, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, privately, but admitted there was little sign of a ceasefire in Sudan's near three-year civil war. They also expressed fears that the war may spread to South Sudan and Eritrea. There were also concerns among diplomats that rivalries between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, currently on display in the south of Yemen, could lead to a deepening of the conflict in Sudan."

"The UK estimates there are as many as 26 possible arms supply routes into Sudan with 10 countries of origin. Saudi Arabia and Egypt have broadly supported the army, while the RSF has been backed by the UAE, a position the Gulf state denies despite evidence compiled by the UN, independent experts and reporters. In south Yemen, the UAE is backing a separatist movement, the Southern Transitional Council, which is opposed by Saudi Arabia."

"The war between the army and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023, has caused what the UN has described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Communities in the Darfur region are facing famine and malnutrition after an 18-month RSF siege around El Fasher, before it fell to the group on 26 October. Those targeted include Abdul Rahim Hamdan Dagalo, the RSF's deputy leader and brother of Hemedti, as well as three other commanders, all of whom now face asset freezes and travel bans."

The UK sanctioned four senior Rapid Support Forces commanders suspected of atrocities in El Fasher, imposing asset freezes and travel bans. The UK did not sanction the United Arab Emirates or RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), saying it preferred private leverage while warning of little sign of a ceasefire. The April 2023 conflict has become the UN's worst humanitarian crisis, with famine and malnutrition in Darfur after an 18-month RSF siege of El Fasher; the UK sees up to 26 possible arms routes from ten countries and fears regional spread amid UAE–Saudi rivalries.

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