Britain has imposed sanctions on 15 Sudanese military commanders, security officials and armed group leaders over alleged war crimes, including sexual violence, torture and attacks on civilians, while announcing £15 million in humanitarian assistance.
The measures, announced on Monday, target senior figures from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Islamist armed groups allied with the military.
The sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans and disqualification from serving as company directors. Those designated are suspected of involvement in abuses committed in El Fasher, Gezira State and the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur.
The announcement coincides with the first anniversary of the RSF’s capture of El Fasher in October 2025, following an 18-month siege that severely restricted access to food, medicine and other essential supplies.
British authorities said the designations followed investigations documenting alleged systematic starvation, sexual violence and attacks against civilians by parties to Sudan’s conflict.
Sudanese military and Islamist commanders targeted
Among those sanctioned is Major General Awad Al-Karim Ali Saeed, commander of the SAF’s 1st Infantry Division in Gezira State, whom British authorities linked to alleged violations of international humanitarian law during military operations against civilians.
Major General Abdel Moneim Abdel Basset and Brigadier General Ahmed Barrir Haj Ahmed were also designated over their alleged involvement in abuses in Gezira, including violence surrounding the military’s recapture of Wad Madani.
The sanctions extend to Abu Zaid Talha Al-Misbah, commander of the Islamist Al-Baraa Ibn Malik Corps, which fought alongside Sudan’s military.
Britain accused Al-Misbah of supporting violations of international humanitarian law during a campaign of violence targeting civilians, including attacks allegedly motivated by ethnicity or religion.
Siddiq Ali Wad Al-Basha, commander of the Abdullah Jamaa Battalion, was also sanctioned over allegations of ethnically motivated violence, deliberate attacks on civilians and sexual violence against members of the Kanabi community.
The list also includes Gezira State Police Director Abdallah Ali Ahmed, whom British authorities accused of supporting or promoting abuses during operations in Wad Madani.
RSF commanders sanctioned over Darfur atrocities
Several RSF commanders were designated over alleged atrocities committed during the siege and capture of El Fasher.
They include Hussein Abo Jalak, accused of responsibility for violations of international humanitarian law during attacks against civilians in the North Darfur capital.
Lieutenant Colonel Abbas Khater Bakhit was sanctioned over allegations that he directed or participated in the torture of detainees at the Al-Mina Al-Bari detention centre during the October 2025 takeover.
Khademallah Khashmin Herika, identified as a commander of the RSF’s female units, was accused of promoting rape and other forms of sexual violence in El Fasher and Garni.
Two other commanders, Abdelbagi Dahab Talbo and Mustafa Abdullah Ahmed Shenibat, were designated over alleged abuses linked to the RSF assault on the Zamzam displacement camp in April 2025.
Additional sanctions targeted RSF commanders Ibrahim Gibril Omer, also known as Abu Wafi, and Hamdan Al-Kajli.
The measures also include former RSF commanders Al-Nour Ahmed Adam, known as Al-Qubba, and Ali Rizqallah, who subsequently defected to the Sudanese military.
Britain said Al-Qubba had played a commanding role during the October 2025 assault on El Fasher, including allegedly issuing direct orders during operations against civilians.
The allegations underpinning the sanctions represent the British government’s stated grounds for designation, rather than criminal convictions.
Britain pledges £15 million in humanitarian assistance
Alongside the sanctions, the British government announced £15 million in additional funding to address Sudan’s worsening humanitarian emergency.
Of that amount, £5 million will support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence through reproductive healthcare, maternal health services, psychological assistance and safe spaces for women and girls.
A further £10 million will strengthen humanitarian operations in areas facing acute shortages of essential services.
The funding will support improved water and sanitation facilities at displacement sites around Tawila in North Darfur, while expanding healthcare, protection services and other humanitarian assistance in El Obeid.
British officials warned that continued fighting, attacks on civilian infrastructure, restrictions on humanitarian access and drought associated with El Niño were increasing the risk of famine.
UK demands accountability for Sudan atrocities
British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said investigations supported by London had documented the continuing use of rape and starvation as weapons of war.
He called for accountability for those responsible and urged foreign governments and other external actors to end their support for Sudan’s warring parties.
Miliband also warned that the humanitarian situation could deteriorate further unless both the SAF and RSF stopped obstructing relief operations and permitted aid deliveries to reach vulnerable communities.
The British government cited findings from the Centre for Information Resilience, whose investigations documented alleged sexual slavery, repeated rape, enforced deprivation of food and attacks on humanitarian operations.
According to the investigations, footage gathered during the siege of El Fasher showed RSF fighters discussing restrictions on water supplies and preventing traders from transporting food into the city.
The latest designations follow five previous rounds of British sanctions targeting individuals and networks suspected of involvement in Sudan’s conflict.
London said the measures were intended to increase pressure on those accused of atrocities and reinforce efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for violations committed against civilians.
