The United Kingdom announced sanctions on senior Sudanese military figures on the first anniversary of the fall of El Fasher, accusing some commanders of being implicated in a "campaign of rape" during the siege of the city. The government said the measures, which include travel bans and asset freezes, apply to leaders from both sides of Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
According to the British statement, the individuals sanctioned are suspected of committing sexual violence during the siege. The travel restrictions and freezes on assets held within UK jurisdiction are intended to restrict their movement and access to financial resources, the government said.
The fall of El Fasher last year was followed by a rapid and bloody assault on the city that rights groups and officials described as the largest and fastest slaughter of civilians in more than 30 years, with tens of thousands of people reported killed over several days. The events in El Fasher have been central to international concern about atrocities committed during the wider conflict in Sudan.
By targeting commanders from both sides, the UK framed the sanctions as a response to alleged abuses committed during the siege rather than a measure aimed solely at one faction. The announcement marks part of a pattern of targeted sanctions used by governments to respond to alleged war crimes and human rights violations when conflicts impede criminal prosecutions.
The UK did not provide the names of all those sanctioned in its initial summary, nor did it set out immediate next steps for enforcement beyond the travel bans and asset restrictions. The measures come as international scrutiny of the violence in Sudan continues amid calls from rights groups for accountability and protection for civilians.