Britain has sanctioned 15 senior commanders from Sudan's rival factions, the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, for suspected involvement in a campaign of rape and other atrocities during the siege and capture of El Fasher in North Darfur.
The measures, announced on 26 October 2026 by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, include asset freezes and travel bans. They target individuals accused of conflict-related sexual violence, torture, mass killings and attacks on civilians linked to the fall of the city a year earlier.
Details of the Sanctions Package
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that the war in Sudan has created a humanitarian catastrophe. A year on from the atrocities in El Fasher, UK-funded investigations have shown that rape and starvation are still being weaponised against the people of Sudan, he said.
Named individuals include Hussein Abu Jalak, an RSF colonel linked to atrocities during the siege of El Fasher, and Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, also known as Al-Qubba, identified as present and playing a prominent role in besieging and attacking the city. Other designations cover commanders from both the RSF and SAF, as well as leaders of armed groups allied to the army, according to multiple reports on the announcement.
The sanctions follow five previous rounds of UK measures related to the conflict. They aim to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure the horrors at El Fasher remain known internationally.
Background on the Siege of El Fasher
El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, fell to RSF forces in late October 2025 after an 18-month siege. Civilians endured prolonged bombardment, mass killings and widespread sexual violence during and after the takeover. Reports documented systematic starvation tactics, with residents forced to survive on animal feed in some cases.
UK-funded research by the Centre for Information Resilience documented what it described as systematic starvation and conflict-related sexual violence against civilians by both sides. Women and girls were abducted, repeatedly raped and held in conditions amounting to sexual slavery, the reporting found. Aid workers reported incidents such as at least 54 children raped or sexually assaulted by RSF fighters while fleeing toward Tawila.
The broader war, which began in April 2023 between the SAF and RSF, has killed tens of thousands of civilians and displaced around 14 million people, according to Amnesty International figures cited in coverage of the sanctions.
Additional UK Support Measures
Alongside the sanctions, Britain allocated £5 million to support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. The funding targets sexual and reproductive healthcare, maternal health services, psychosocial support and safe spaces for women and girls.
A further £10 million in humanitarian aid brings the total new package to £15 million. The support seeks to address immediate needs amid ongoing displacement and restricted access to food and medical care.
Context Within UK Sudan Policy
Today's action builds on earlier UK sanctions targeting suspected perpetrators in Sudan and support networks. Previous rounds addressed atrocities in areas including Gezira state and the Zamzam displacement camp, with designations against figures accused of ethnic violence, forced displacement and attacks on humanitarian workers.
Similar UK responses to international abuses and interference have included strong condemnations of foreign electoral meddling, as seen in statements regarding Russian activities. The latest Sudan measures reflect a consistent emphasis on accountability through targeted sanctions rather than broader economic penalties.
Scale of the Crisis and Next Steps
Sudan's conflict ranks among the world's worst humanitarian emergencies. Both warring parties have faced accusations of blocking aid convoys, contributing to famine risks in affected regions. Foreign Secretary Miliband noted that whether famine takes hold depends on the RSF and SAF halting attacks on aid and allowing food to reach communities.
Analysts and officials have called for broader international pressure to end external backing for the factions and pursue accountability mechanisms. The sanctions send a signal that individuals responsible for grave breaches of international humanitarian law face consequences, including exclusion from the UK financial system and travel.
Humanitarian organisations continue to document ongoing risks of sexual violence across multiple hotspots in Sudan. The UK package aims to bolster survivor services while investigations into command responsibility proceed.
Further designations remain possible as new evidence emerges from field reporting and UK-supported research. The focus on both sides of the conflict underscores efforts to apply pressure evenly amid the protracted fighting.
