The European Union announced on Monday that it is imposing sanctions on six individuals in Sudan, including the Commander of the Sudanese Air Force and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) leader in West Darfur, as well as the Secretary-General of the Islamic Movement.
The EU Council stated that the sanctioned individuals are responsible for activities undermining stability and the political transition in Sudan.
Among those sanctioned are Major General Pilot Taher Mohammed Al-Awad Al-Amin, Commander of the Sudanese Air Force, and another senior military official.
They are accused of being responsible for indiscriminate aerial bombings of densely populated residential areas since the conflict began.
The sanctions also target Major General Abdulrahman Juma Barakallah, the RSF Commander in West Darfur, and the RSF’s financial advisor.
Additionally, Ali Ahmed Karti, former Foreign Minister in Omar al-Bashir’s government and Secretary-General of the Islamic Movement in Sudan, is among those sanctioned.
Since April 15, 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.
The ongoing violence has led to the deaths of thousands of Sudanese, including up to 15,000 people in Geneina, the capital of West Darfur, according to United Nations experts.
The war has driven the country, with its 48 million residents, to the brink of famine, destroyed already fragile infrastructure, and displaced more than 8.5 million people.
Three EU diplomats told The Guardian that the sanctions target three individuals from the RSF and three from the Sudanese Armed Forces.
The measures include asset freezes and travel bans. While the EU officials approved the names on Tuesday, the final list is subject to change. The EU Foreign Ministers are expected to ratify the sanctions in their meeting later this month.
The EU’s decision to impose new sanctions follows the freezing of assets of six companies in January that funded and armed the warring factions in Sudan. These companies are controlled by the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces.
Last month, United Nations agencies warned of an imminent famine in Sudan as the conflict shows no signs of resolution.
The deteriorating situation has led to a severe shortage of food and essential supplies, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
