UK sanctions 15 commanders from both sides of Sudan's war
The measures target sexual violence and war crimes, including during the siege of El Fasher. London is also pledging 15 million pounds in aid.
Symbolic image · Photo: Christine Matthews / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Britain has imposed sanctions on 15 senior commanders from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese army. The travel bans and asset freezes target suspected war crimes and sexual violence, including during the siege of El Fasher. Those sanctioned include an RSF colonel and an army brigadier general.
London is providing 5 million pounds for survivors of sexual violence and a 10 million pound humanitarian package. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said: "The war in Sudan has created a humanitarian catastrophe." He said rape and starvation were still being used as weapons and that external backers of the warring parties must stop supporting them.
The RSF took El Fasher about a year ago after an 18-month siege. A report by the Centre for Information Resilience (CIR) found that both sides systematically used starvation and sexual violence against civilians.